Let’s say you’ve sprained your ankle on a mountain trail and are out of cellular range, and that’s when you need to call for help. Sounds like a good time to learn how to use the phone’s new features, right? It doesn’t, and it seems that Apple has come to the same conclusion.
The sleuths at 9to5Mac have spotted some code in the latest iOS 16 developer beta that hints at the existence of a satellite SOS demo mode, which may be designed to familiarise users with the feature before they get into trouble.
Satellite SOS is an iPhone 14 and 14 Pro-specific feature announced by Apple earlier this month. It uses a satellite connection to help deliver messages and location information to emergency services when out of cellular signal range. It’s not yet live; it’s not expected to arrive until November.
In the meantime, Apple seems to be laying the groundwork for its official launch. 9to5Mac found “multiple features” related to satellite connectivity in iOS 16.1 developer beta 3, but the demo mode was prominent. The satellite demo also appears to be a legitimate walkthrough that requires users to go outside and find a clear view of the sky to use it. 9to5Mac reports that it will be readily available from the settings menu.
Apple is far from alone in its quest for a way to connect phones to satellites, but it’s still a very new concept to most people. A demo mode could help familiarise iPhone 14 owners with the feature and how it works – or perhaps help convince them that it’s worth paying for. Apple will offer the iPhone 14 for two years, but after that it will be at the user’s expense, the exact cost of which is unclear at this time.
