Bloomberg reports that Apple is secretly collaborating with SpaceX, the provider of Starlink satellite internet, and T-Mobile to support the Starlink network in the latest iPhone software and provide an alternative to its own satellite communication system.
T-Mobile is the operational partner of SpaceX for testing the satellite connectivity and internet capabilities of phones with Starlink network. Reports indicated that SpaceX, in collaboration with its operational partner, tested the satellite internet capability for phones on January 27,2025. This trial, which according to T-Mobile initially supported only Samsung flagship phones, has now expanded its coverage to include a number of iPhone users in collaboration with Apple. Bloomberg reports, citing informed sources, that SpaceX and Apple have been negotiating to connect iPhones to the Starlink network, and in a quiet move, the recent iPhone software update released recently supports this technology. The initial phase of the Starlink test only supports text messages and is expected to allow internet use and voice calls in the future. This trial service is available only in the United States and for a limited number of devices, including some Android 15 users and iPhones that have been enabled with the IOS 18.3 update. However, SpaceX is working to expand its Starlink system to other providers around the world.
The connectivity of Starlink and Apple’s native system currently only works in areas outside of cellular antenna coverage, and their use in regular areas is not possible. Apple currently supports this feature for most iPhone models and is set to add it to the Ultra version of the Apple watch later this year.
This collaboration is surprising because T-Mobile had previously mentioned the option of using Starlink only for Samsung phones, including the Z Fold and S24 models. Additionally, Apple has currently enabled satellite communication in partnership with Globalstar, allowing its users to send text messages even outside the coverage area of cellular antennas. T-Mobile is now allowing its subscribers to register for a beta version of the Starlink service, and recently, the operator added a few iPhone models to this test. In response to this news, Musk stated in a post on the social media platform X that images, music, and podcasts can be supported with the current Starlink technology, and future updates will enable video support as well.
The first users of this pilot program have received a message regarding their participation in the experiment, indicating that they can “stay connected almost anywhere via satellite.” iPhone users now have a button in the cellular settings section of their iPhone that supports satellite capability.
T-Mobile states that this experiment will begin with “optimized and selected smartphones” and full deployment will support “the majority of modern smartphones.” From the very beginning of Apple’s collaboration with Globalstar, speculation about the possibility of supporting a rival network has escalated. One day after Apple’s statement in 2022, Musk wrote on social media platform X that his company had “engaged in promising conversations about connecting Starlink with Apple.”
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Apple has always been a pioneer in innovation, and this collaboration is set to bring groundbreaking advancements to the mobile industry
It is scary knowing that two of the biggest companies could potentially be joining forces, but at the same time it is revolutionary technology.
Technology is advancing rapidly! It’s exciting to see where it takes us in the near future…
Apple has always been a leader in technology, and I hope we can use this feature as soon as possible.