On Monday, Apple released iOS 18.5, which for the first time extends emergency satellite communications capabilities to iPhone 13 owners. Previously, satellite communication features were only available to users of iPhone 14 or later.
The iPhone emergency satellite communication system is designed to be used in critical moments when cellular signal or Wi-Fi is not available, as it allows people to contact emergency services, send a text via satellite, share information with their contacts in an emergency, or call for roadside assistance.
The iOS 18.5 update focuses on providing access to satellite services from carriers such as T-Mobile (with Starlink). You can check to see if you have access to this feature in the Cellular menu in Settings on your iPhone.
According to rescuers, the feature has saved many lives to date, including helping lost and injured hikers, rescuing people from forest fires, and more.
While the expansion of satellite-based emergency services for iPhone 13 owners is the most notable addition to iOS 18.5, iPhone users are also getting a number of smaller updates.
Among them is the addition of a new feature for Screen Time, Apple’s parental control app that notifies parents when their child correctly enters a parental password to access Screen Time permissions.
Other improvements include a revamped Mail app that makes it easier to access the All Inbox category as a separate tab; a new Pride wallpaper; and an easier way to subscribe to content from the Apple TV app on your smart TV or connected device. In addition, Apple has fixed a bug where the Apple Vision Pro app would launch with a black screen when downloaded from the App Store, as well as other Siri bugs, enterprise apps that wouldn’t launch, and more.
iOS 18.5 was released along with iPadOS 18.5, which is mainly about bug fixes; visionOS 2.5; watchOS 11.5; and security updates for macOS Ventura 13.7.6 (22H625) and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6.
