If you’ve lived in the southeast in the summertime, you are all too familiar with the stomach-dropping feeling of the lights shutting off in the middle of a stormy season. Not only the lights, but your fridge, freezer, oven, and any essential electrical appliances – just snapping off power. If that wasn’t bad enough, your phone may even lose signal.
During a summer storm, whether that is a thunderstorm, tornado, or even hurricane, high winds can break power lines, snap electrical poles, and topple trees.
Satellite Mode on iPhones
So, what do you do if the cell tower has collapsed and you’re unable to contact anyone? This is where satellites come in. If you have an Apple iPhone 14 or later there is a mode built in called “Satellite Mode,” and here’s how it works:
- If you are unable to contact others on your phone, you can send texts via satellite when cell towers are down and there’s no Wi-Fi or cellular signal.
- Try sending a message or calling 911.
- A notification should pop up that says, “No Signal. Satellite Connection Available,” with a button beneath saying, “Tap To Connect.”
- Before tapping the button, go outside with a clear view of the sky – trees, terrain, or buildings may block the satellite. It may take a minute for the satellite to connect to your phone, so the best thing to do is to be patient and wait for it to connect.
- Eventually, a satellite icon should appear, and you’ll need to move your phone as directed until the satellite connects.
- After that, you will be able to send text messages, contact emergency services, and share location with emergency contacts.
- Another way to access this feature is swiping downwards in the upper right hand corner of your phone, which will display the control center. Tap the Widget with the Wi-Fi, Airplane Mode, and Bluetooth icons inside, and this will enlarge the Widget, showing everything inside. At the bottom of this section, there should be a bar called “Satellite.” It will take you to a screen where after connecting with the satellite, you can send a message, update shared location, request roadside assistance, or contact emergency services using Emergency SOS.
A couple important things to know about this unique feature…
- It requires a clear view of the sky.
- It can only be used for text messages only, no phone calls or internet.
- Messages may take a while to send, and your battery will drain faster, so make sure to only use this feature in emergency situations where you need to send a quick message.
The last thing you want is to be in an emergency situation and unable to contact anyone. This feature ensures you are able to secure help when it is most needed.
Are you prepared for tornado and hail season? If you have any doubts about your coverage or your policy, we’re here to help answer any questions or concerns you may have. We can make recommendations on your behalf so you and your family feel secure about the safety of your property. Set up a time with one of our licensed public adjusters to conduct a free review of your insurance policy. Give Brandon Lewis and the team at Strategic Claim Consultants a call at (844) 701-9995 today.