Introduction
When Apple announced the SOS/satellite messaging features of its new iPhone 14, three questions immediately bubbled to the surface of the outdoor community’s conversation (see Backpacking Light’s forum thread introducing the satellite capabilities on the iPhone 14):
- Will SOS capabilities in the pocket of every hiker lead to more incidents of false alarms/low-danger rescues?
- Will the new technology encourage people to venture into areas they aren’t prepared to venture into, leading to an increase in real emergencies?
- Should/will the iPhone 14 replace my Garmin inReach (or similar satellite messaging devices)?
Will Apple’s new iPhone 14 lead to more work for search and rescue crews?
In Backpacking Light’s forums and elsewhere, I encountered concern over the potential abuse of the iPhone 14’s new SOS feature. The worry seemed centered around stories of hikers and backpackers using Garmin inReach devices to call for help when they could easily self-rescue instead.
One anecdote shared on our forum involved a young woman calling search and rescue (SAR) so she could order a pizza. People are concerned that SOS-enabled phones will magnify the number of unnecessary rescues and increase the overall number of rescues.
These concerns got me wondering – what’s the percentage of satellite–messenger-initiated incidents involving unnecessary rescues vs. satellite-messenger-initiated incidents involving real danger where people cannot self-rescue? I reached out to some search and rescue groups around the heavily trafficked Rocky Mountain National Park and got an interesting answer – it’s hard to say.
“I can tell you right now that data is a problem for us, and we won’t be able to give you much by way of stats. We’re working on funding for a statewide, consistent data collection system, but it has been an uphill battle,” said Anna De Battiste, Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Colorado Search and Rescue Association.
When I asked Drew Hildner, PIO of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, the same question, he answered with a simple “don’t know.” What Hildner could tell me for sure was that the percentage of search and rescue actions initiated in the Rockies by satellite messenger devices is in the single digits.
Jay Christianson, PIO for the Colorado Search and Rescue Association, told me the same thing.
“The percentage of people that activate [the SOS features on satellite messengers] is quite low currently,” he said. “Even if the method of activation [shifts to satellite-enabled cell phones over dedicated satellite messengers], I really do not see a shift in the parties that will need rescuing. Realistically most parties that are considering search and rescue are in a position where self-rescue is impossible, be it physically or mentally, and from the SAR team position, early activation is beneficial so we can intervene before things get worse.”
Some takeaways here:
- The vast majority of search and rescue actions (at least in the Colorado Rockies) are not initiated by satellite messenger.
- Nobody is formally keeping track of what percentage of two-way-satellite-messenger-initiated actions are for people who could, in reality, self-rescue – but the SAR professionals I spoke to indicated it is not the majority of cases.
- That percentage is somewhat irrelevant from a rescuer’s point of view because while search and rescue teams certainly don’t want to be allocating resources towards pizza delivery or other unnecessary rescues, they absolutely do want to get to folks before bad situations turn into deadly situations.
This last takeaway is crucial. Every SAR professional I interviewed for this story took care to emphasize they’d rather people be safe than sorry. The vibe I’m getting is that the collective handwringing on behalf of the SAR community’s time and energy is a projection.
In fact, Jay Christianson sees the upcoming proliferation of SOS-enabled cell phones as a positive because it will allow SAR teams to intervene more quickly in a larger percentage of situations – saving both lives and resources.
“Having the ability to actively locate a subject in the field greatly reduces the full mission timeline. Many missions can have a multi-hour access time; if a team does not have a precise location, this can complicate access. This earlier arrival allows for early intervention with the subject to prevent potentially worse issues,” he said.
Remember, most SAR actions are not initiated by satellite messengers, meaning most SAR teams work without precise location data. So the upshot of satellite-messenger-enabled cell phones? More lost/injured hikers with precise data to give to SAR teams means quicker missions and less wasted money and human power, not more.
So what about the idea that Apple’s new SOS technology might encourage more folks to make stupid choices, leading to more SAR actions? None of the professionals I interviewed are worried about it. The logic seems to be that the type of person who’s going to set out for the summit of a 14er at three in the afternoon with half a bottle of water is already doing that. An SOS button in their pocket is not a deciding factor in that decision.
“I do not imagine that this additive resource in cell technology will provide the tipping point for people to push their limits of accessibility and ability,” said Jay Christianson.
Will the Apple iPhone 14 replace my Garmin inReach?
With the pearl-clutching around SAR-team time and energy out of the way, we are left with one question. Should the iPhone 14, with its satellite messaging and location broadcasting capabilities, replace your dedicated satellite messaging device? It’s a tempting proposition – who doesn’t love removing an item from their pack in favor of multi-use gear?
But the consensus answer on our forum, which I agree with, is no – for now. Most people believe that the iPhones 14’s SOS features are useful as a redundant safety system but not a full replacement for dedicated satellite messengers. Here are the three main reasons, as vocalized by Backpacking Light community members and supported by the search and rescue professionals I interviewed for this story:
- Dedicated satellite messengers are more rugged and less easily damaged than cell phones.
- Dedicated satellite messengers have longer battery life than cell phones, especially if hikers are using cell phones for navigation, photography/videography, note taking, and entertainment (they are).
- Dedicated satellite messengers have two-way functionality, while the iPhone 14’s messaging functionality is limited to one-way communication (for now).
We must expect this last point to change, and soon. In August, T-Mobile announced a partnership with SpaceX to make two-way messaging a reality, and we can assume other providers will attempt to provide the same functionality. Likewise, smartphones will continue to become more rugged and have longer battery life. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that Apple could release an iPhone dedicated to adventure athletes along the same lines as its recently unveiled Apple Watch Ultra.
Conclusion
In the near future, smartphone technology will continue to advance, and Silicon Valley will continue to tap into the outdoor market with new products. As this happens, we may begin to see some ultralight backpackers ditching dedicated satellite messengers completely in favor of smartphones, just as we now see some members of our community ditching dedicated cameras in the same fashion.
Peering further into the future, I can imagine once-silent mountain evenings now clotted with the noise pollution of a dozen hikers all voice chatting to friends and family back home – similar to the current scourge of Bluetooth speakers plaguing our public lands or the Bay Area business people having loud financial phone calls as they conduct “walking meetings” along our local trails. As always, it is not the technology that matters but how we choose to use it – or, to be more precise – how we choose not to.
Related content
- Participate in the forum conversations about the iPhone 14’s new satellite features and Apple Watch Ultra for Backpacking
- Watch the How to use the Garmin inReach Masterclass
- Read more by Andrew Marshall
DISCLOSURE (Updated April 9, 2024)
- Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated/discounted products in exchange for product mentions or placements in editorial coverage. Some (but not all) of the links in this review may be affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and visit one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently place an order with that retailer, we receive a commission on your entire order, which varies between 3% and 15% of the purchase price. Affiliate commissions represent less than 15% of Backpacking Light's gross revenue. More than 70% of our revenue comes from Membership Fees. So if you'd really like to support our work, don't buy gear you don't need - support our consumer advocacy work and become a Member instead. Learn more about affiliate commissions, influencer marketing, and our consumer advocacy work by reading our article Stop wasting money on gear.
Discussion
Become a member to post in the forums.
Companion forum thread to: Can Apple’s New iPhone 14 Replace Your Garmin inReach?
Should/will the iPhone 14 replace my Garmin inReach (or similar satellite messaging devices)?
no
I don’t use an inreach, but I’m struggling to find many reasons using the iPhone it isn’t better than my RescueME PLB as long as my iphone is charged / not broken. No battery concerns is one advantage a PLB has but the texting component of the iPhone is also better than simply sending an SOS with a non text compatible PLB.
Outside Online has a couple of articles.
https://www.outsideonline.com/business-journal/brands/iphone-14-satellite-sos-garmin/
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/tools/iphone-14-pro-adventure-features/
As a European we rarely use PLBs in the first place and thus I find the added feature of the iPhone really compelling.
It basically means I do have added security on my Alpine endeavors without getting another gadget/device to keep track off.
Will probably hold off for now though, since I am hoping the iPhone 15 will finally come with USB-C…
I trust my iPhone way more than my Garmin inreach mini. The inreach is not a good device at all. The plan is terrible and would be reason enough for me to ditch it. The user interface is just bad and the iPhone’s hardware is in a different league than the inreach. Additionally, my inreach has way worse battery life. Give it a couple years and there will be ZERO reason to own an inreach.
The incidence rate of satellite device SOS messages sent where the subjects could/do self rescue will also be dependent on the cell phone coverage in the area and the ability to reach 911. My general observation is that the number of satellite SOS calls made by people who self rescue have increased this year.
As has been said, our preference is still to be notified of a situation before it becomes more serious. What is potentially more of an issue is when people self rescue and do not update the responding SAR team with that information. As the technology becomes more available to users who aren’t as backcountry savvy, it would be helpful to include instructional messages to users who activate an SOS type message.
I agree Myke, inreach is a bad device like you said
Except the cheapest plan, $15 per month, includes 10 messages per month. I always send pre-set messages which are free, so my wife can do 10 replies each month, which she never exceeds. So I’m okay with their plans.
And I never run out of battery on a week long trip.
Even though sometimes it takes an hour or more to get satellite reception and send a message and the user experience is poor, I am still able to always send a message and receive a reply.
In a year or two when my phone can do that without inreach, I will happily retire it. One of these years I need to replace my phone anyway.
Apple invested $450,000,000 to make satellite Emergency SOS and Find My (SOS/FM) work, most of that going to Globalstar upgrades. I’m sure Globalstar appreciated the investment, since in my opinion their existing devices and services have sucked for a long time.
Apple: “The ground stations use new high-power antennas designed and manufactured specifically for Apple by Cobham Satcom in Concord, California.”
“To increase reliability and coverage, these new antennas were installed in all Globalstar worldwide ground stations, including new ground stations in Nevada and Hawaii, as well as existing facilities in Texas, Alaska, Florida, and Puerto Rico.”
Globastar SPOT-X one-way messaging doesn’t cover Hawaii now, maybe an Apple exclusive.
Looks like Apple plans to roll out SOS/FM for most of the rest of the world. But Globalstar’s “bent pipe” system has limits.
Apple probably invested $450M for services far beyond SOS/FM. iPhone 14’s should be able to use those new features. Maybe iOS security updates via satellite :-)
Apple: “iPhone users can launch their Find My app and share their location via satellite when there is no cellular and Wi-Fi connection.”
Work out a simple Find My code with home contacts: Three FM pings per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from planned on-route locations means everything is OK. If ping locations are significantly slower, faster, or different than expected, plans have changed. Three from the same location means something’s wrong, but it’s not an emergency. And so on. Wonder how much battery energy each satellite FM ping will take?
inReach messages sometimes take a while to go through, but it’s mostly “send and forget.” Apple’s service requires waving your phone around until it locks onto a satellite. Room for improvement.
— Rex
Buried near the end of Apple’s press release (emphasis added):
“With upgraded ground stations, and soon an updated satellite constellation, Apple and Globalstar will ensure the [satellite radio] spectrum continues to enable emergency services.”
“Globalstar expects to launch the satellites by the end of 2025.” I’ve been watching this industry for a long time; end of 2025 probably means 2026 or later.
Apple and Globalstar have been working on this for a while now. February 2022: “the potential customer [almost certainly Apple] will reimburse Globalstar for 95% of the approved capital expenditures Globalstar makes in connection with the new satellites.” That’s probably where most of Apple’s $450M is going – new satellites and launches.
Wouldn’t surprise me if Apple buys Globalstar. Apple likes to control the whole customer experience, for better or worse.
Smartphone texting via satellite – probably within a year or two. Smartphone calls via satellite – maybe about the same time, thanks to AI-driven audio compression.
— Rex
I didn’t realize Globalstar was based out of Covington, Louisiana.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/07/satellite-company-globalstar-stock-soars-after-disclosing-apple-deal.html
The satellite feature rolls out today and DC Rainmaker is showing how it works.
One real-world test of Apple’s iPhone 14 satellite “Find My” feature:
https://tidbits.com/2022/11/21/testing-emergency-sos-and-find-my-via-satellite/
In brief, disappointing on many levels.
Seems most reviewers are not lightweight backpackers, and can’t imagine scenarios that might include us.
— Rex
Apple’s iPhone 14 Emergency SOS via Satellite Feature Saves Stranded Man in Alaska
Anyone know of good location apps that send a bread crumb trail? Just thinking it could be useful for the family members of dayhikers/runners to follow along without requiring much user initiation. Send updates when in cell coverage to occasionally show progress. For people that might find it hard to justify a satellite message device but want to provide some info to those at home.
Wouldn’t be surprised if near-future versions of the Apple Watch Ultra also have Satellite SOS/Find My, and even satellite messaging or tracking.
On such a small device, satellite communications could seriously drain the tiny battery. So Apple might add built-in solar charging, like several other outdoor-oriented smartwatches.
Apple smartphone and smartwatch competitors are likely working on similar plans. Actual “cell towers in space” supplied by hundreds or thousands of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites will have a big impact – IF those systems succeed.
When most of that happens, sales of Garmin’s inReach and similar devices could plummet. But existing satellite communicators should keep running for a long time, as older satellite system operators like Iridium pivot to other markets but maintain backward compatibility.
Lightweight backpackers soon could be faced with a dizzying array of backcountry communication choices – for better or worse.
— Rex
The CalTopo app will do this on your phone, but I don’t know the specifics of what this is like to setup for an individual. We use this on our SAR team and it is extremely useful to get realtime updates when in service or two way updates when we are in an out.
Someone just got saved from between Noorvik (66°50′) and Kotzebue (66°54′) Alaska so despite the caution I’ve seen in some write-ups that coverage is best south of 62N and potentially spotty beyond, someone was successful.
Of course, on the northwestern shore of Alaska, there are never any trees or hills in your way.
Chris: IPhone 14’s have a provision to use the “Find My” function with satellites so you could let your contacts know where you are periodically. You’re limited to a few such locates per hour, so it’s not continuous breadcrumbs and you have to hold your phone in the position indicated on the screen for 15-30 seconds (and longer in marginal settings) to complete the transmission, which would be a downside for competitive runners / bikers. But for backpacking, doing so at breakfast, lunch and dinner would give people back home a lot of info.
Sending a few “Find My” locations would be great practice, without bothering SAR, and build confidence (or find weaknesses) in transmitting from your area/terrain/tree cover.
Speculation …
If you get into trouble in the backcountry, and the iPhone 14 satellite SOS feature fails and you die, who will find out? Or you suffer from another traumatic brain injury and can’t remember if you triggered it or not, but get help anyway?
Seems like the only stories that will make the news are when satellite SOS works. Which helps Apple sell the service, for a charge to be determined in a couple of years.
But doesn’t help the rest of us judge how often it fails. Confirmation bias at work again?
— Rex
PS: Same could be said about inReach, PLBs, and similar satellite SOS devices.
This is why the InReach has it all over the phone. I send back tracking every 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the hike or bike ride. It does it without my interaction with it, unlike the phone. If I don’t report in that day, whoever I have asked to track me, can check my location on the web. No movement, and the device is still sending tracking points, they know I am incapacitated and exactly where I am. Not instant notification, but better than next week. Cardiac arrest, no help. Head injury or multiple trauma from a fall, the InReach gives me a chance. And the battery lasts for days and days.
@AndrewMarshall
in your article you say “Dedicated satellite messengers have two-way functionality, while the iPhone 14’s messaging functionality is limited to one-way communication (for now).”
This is partially correct. The iphone sos does have 2 day communication to SAR, but not p2p.
Become a member to post in the forums.