Hurricane Helene has left a path of destruction throughout the Southeastern United States, claiming over 100 lives and leaving many residents remoted on account of destroyed infrastructure and lack of energy. Nevertheless, amongst this chaos, a ray of hope has emerged within the type of Apple’s new satellite tv for pc messaging options.
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Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Asheville residents discover solace in satellite tv for pc communication
Matt Van Swol, a photographer in Asheville, North Carolina, shared on X (previously Twitter) that individuals have been capable of “get messages in and out with the Satellite tv for pc messaging characteristic. That is actually saving lives.” Whereas the connection is not excellent, Van Swol notes it is a “50/50 likelihood, which is best than nothing.”
Photographer tweets about satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 (X) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Peace of thoughts for frightened households
One other X consumer reported utilizing the satellite tv for pc characteristic to get location pings from relations when energy and web went out. “At the least it gave us some peace of thoughts,” they shared.
A person tweets about utilizing satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 (X) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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iOS 18: Increasing satellite tv for pc capabilities
With the current launch of iOS 18, Apple has launched a number of new satellite tv for pc options that improve communication throughout emergencies. Now you can ship messages through satellite tv for pc straight from the Messages app, permitting you to remain linked even if you find yourself off the grid and with out mobile or Wi-Fi protection.
Messages through satellite tv for pc means that you can ship and obtain texts, emojis and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS when a mobile or Wi-Fi connection will not be out there. Moreover, the iPhone 15 Professional exhibits a textual content dialog in iMessage with a satellite tv for pc picture and the phrase “Preserve Pointing at Satellite tv for pc… Linked” within the Dynamic Island.
For many who want to attach with family and friends utilizing non-Apple units, SMS over satellite tv for pc offers another messaging possibility. These options construct upon the Emergency SOS through Satellite tv for pc perform that was launched with the iPhone 14, providing much more methods to achieve out for assist in vital conditions.
Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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To ship messages through satellite tv for pc
- You want an iPhone 14 or later (all fashions) with iOS 18 or later.
- You could be in a spot with no mobile and Wi-Fi protection.
- You could be outdoors with a transparent view of the sky and horizon.
- You could connect with a satellite tv for pc along with your iPhone.
- You want an lively SIM.
- To make use of iMessage through satellite tv for pc, it’s worthwhile to activate iMessage earlier than you are outdoors mobile and Wi-Fi protection.
- To make use of SMS messaging through satellite tv for pc, your service should help it.
- Messages through satellite tv for pc is on the market within the U.S. and Canada.
- It is free for 2 years after the activation of an iPhone 14 or later (all fashions).
Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Guarantee you’ve iOS 18 put in
Earlier than you possibly can benefit from the brand new options within the Magnifier app, ensure that your system is operating iOS 18. Comply with these steps to test and replace your iOS.
Test your present iOS Model:
- Open the Settings app in your system
- Faucet Common
- Faucet About. Right here, you’ll see the model quantity subsequent to Software program Model.
Replace to iOS 18:
- Go to Settings
- Faucet Common
- Faucet Software program Replace
- If iOS 18 is on the market, faucet Obtain and Set up
- Comply with the on-screen directions to finish the replace
Steps to replace to iOS 18 on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Tips on how to activate iMessage
Now, to make use of iMessage through satellite tv for pc, it’s worthwhile to activate iMessage earlier than you’re outdoors mobile and Wi-Fi protection. This is how to do that.
- Go to the Settings app in your iPhone
- Scroll down and faucet on Apps
- Scroll down and faucet on Messages
- Make certain the iMessage toggle is turned on (it ought to be inexperienced)
Steps to activate iMessage on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Faucet on Ship & Obtain to make sure your cellphone quantity and e mail are chosen for iMessage
Steps to activate iMessage on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Tips on how to use messages through satellite tv for pc
Connecting to a satellite tv for pc is fairly simple:
- When your iPhone detects that you simply’re outdoors mobile and Wi-Fi protection, it alerts you; on the Lock Display, you get a immediate that claims you possibly can ship and obtain messages through satellite tv for pc.
- Once you connect with the satellite tv for pc, you’ll additionally see the choice to textual content emergency providers utilizing Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc, get assist with automotive troubles utilizing Roadside Help through satellite tv for pc, and share your location utilizing “Discover My” through satellite tv for pc (the place these providers can be found).
- To ship a message, simply open the Messages app, you’ll be prompted to start out accepting messages if you have not already, and your iPhone offers directions to hook up with a satellite tv for pc to ship a textual content. When you’ve got an iPhone 14 Professional or later, the Dynamic Island on the high of the display screen has indicator dots that present the energy of your connection and, in case your connection might be improved, arrows that direct you to show left or proper. You possibly can faucet the Dynamic Island to open Connection Assistant for extra assist.
- Once you join and begin accepting messages through satellite tv for pc, you may obtain any SMS messages that had been despatched out of your emergency contact or members of your Household Sharing group earlier than you began accepting messages through satellite tv for pc. You will not obtain iMessages till your emergency contact or member of the family returns to the dialog and faucets Ship through Satellite tv for pc beneath their message bubble.
Satellite tv for pc messaging in iOS 18 on iPhone (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Limitations of satellite tv for pc messaging
Messages through satellite tv for pc would possibly take a bit of longer to ship. In best situations, with a direct view of the sky and horizon, a message would possibly take 30 seconds to ship. It’d take over a minute to ship underneath bushes with gentle or medium foliage, and also you may not have the ability to connect with a satellite tv for pc underneath heavy foliage or in case you’re surrounded by different obstructions.
Some iMessage options aren’t supported when utilizing a satellite tv for pc connection. You possibly can’t ship or obtain pictures or movies, audio messages, stickers or messages in a bunch message.
For those who can’t ship an iMessage through satellite tv for pc – for instance, if the individual you are attempting to textual content has an iPhone that doesn’t have iOS 18, they’ve a non-Apple system or in case you haven’t despatched them an iMessage lately – you should use SMS messaging through satellite tv for pc.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Whereas the devastation attributable to Hurricane Helene is immense, it is heartening to see how expertise can present a lifeline in occasions of disaster. Apple’s satellite tv for pc messaging options, although not excellent, are proving to be invaluable for these reduce off from conventional communication strategies. As restoration efforts proceed, these improvements might be the distinction between life and loss of life for a lot of in affected areas.
What private experiences have you ever had with expertise throughout a pure catastrophe, and the way did it affect your state of affairs? Tell us by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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