Apple launched the satellite-based SOS message feature with Globalstar as the operator on the iPhone 14 model in the US. The company has since then offered the premium feature for free with the latest iPhone 16 models in the region. 

But it seems Apple’s ambitions to take the satellite feature to other products and regions have reportedly taken a huge hit. And reports claim all this is because Apple said no to Elon Musk’s company for a similar deal back in 2022 and from there, these plans had to take a backseat for varying reasons. 

iPhone Satellite Push, Apple Dithers 

The report by The Information talks about Apple having big plans with the satellite internet service, not just limiting its access to emergency services, but operating as an internet service provider with the help of telcos. In fact, Apple would have become a direct rival to Starlink internet service, the one that Elon Musk owns. 

That’s where the reported deal from Musk to Apple for running SpaceX satellite connectivity to iPhones was on the table, but Apple did not find the deal agreeable to its terms, and rejected the offering. Musk then went ahead and launched his own satellite service for the iPhone users in partnership with T-Mobile which kind of played spoilsport with the actual purpose of Apple entering this space. 

Why Stop? 

Fast-forward to 2025, and it seems Apple is still not sure about going forward with its earlier ambitions for satellite tech. The report claims CEO Tim Cook was sure not about how its partnership with operators will pan out if the internet services did take off without their support. 

And that’s not all, the company, now rivaling Musk, who is close with the current US President Trump regime, puts them in an awkward position and obvious scrutiny of the regulators, especially if it starts charging the satellite SMS and call feature from iPhone users. 

The satellite connectivity space has huge potential but the guard rails and the regulations will stunt any possible entry of a player like Apple, now that you have Starlink, and other telecom operators who would rather play it safe rather than try something aggressive and lose their impetus in a growing sector for the next few years.

Apple is rumoured to be bringing satellite features to the Watch 3 Ultra later this year, but going by these details, we won’t be sure about that anymore.