Verizon now supports texting via satellite on the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25

Verizon has announced that it will now support sending text messages via satellite on phones from the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 lineup. Both Google and Samsung's current phones support satellite connectivity, but neither has really leveraged the skill outside of the Satellite SOS feature that was added to Android 15.

Sending texts via satellite will be available when Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 phones are "outside the reach of terrestrial cellular networks," Verizon says, and should come with same limitations as other satellite tools, like the need to position yourself so that there's no large structures or tree cover getting between your phone and the sky. It's also worth noting: the necessary changes "enabling this service start today and will continue over the next two weeks," so you might want to wait a bit longer before you start your next off-grid adventure.

Apple introduced Messages via Satellite alongside iOS 18, which doesn't rely on carriers for support, but should offer a good illustration of how Verizon's satellite messaging will work when it's fully available on the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25. 

The carrier is partnered with satellite provider AST SpaceMobile for its expanding list of satellite-connected services, and the companies have experimented with even more demanding communication options, like video calls. Competitors like T-Mobile already offer satellite messaging through a partnership with SpaceX's Starlink.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/verizon-now-supports-texting-via-satellite-on-the-pixel-9-and-galaxy-s25-193348606.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/verizon-now-supports-texting-via-satellite-on-the-pixel-9-and-galaxy-s25-193348606.html?src=rss
Created 4mo | Mar 19, 2025, 8:50:10 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

The Morning After: This is the Pixel 10 (or maybe the Pixel 10 Pro)

While I wasn’t expecting a major design shakeup, Google revealed the design of its new Pixel phone, almost a month before the official launch event.

You can take a look for yourself on the f

Jul 22, 2025, 1:31:09 PM | Engadget
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's display is rated to withstand 500,000 folds

Samsung said the display it used for the

Jul 22, 2025, 1:31:07 PM | Engadget
Headspace annual subscriptions are 40 percent off right now

Like any habit, maintaining a meditation practice can be challenging. Having the right tools can make it a bit easier, which is why we're excited to see a

Jul 22, 2025, 1:31:05 PM | Engadget
Google shows off the Pixel 10 less than a month before its launch

As is tradition, Google has already shown off at least one of its new Pixel phones before it's announced. The front page of the Google Store currently features a short video

Jul 21, 2025, 9:20:04 PM | Engadget
The fan-made mod of the original Fallout game has a real trailer and it looks sick

Fallout: Bakersfield is a fan-made mod of the 1990s original that's been on our radar for a few years. We got a little teaser

Jul 21, 2025, 6:50:25 PM | Engadget
Google adds separate work and personal accounts to Chrome on iOS

Google has introduced new features for Chrome on iOS that help users bifurcate work and personal data by using separate Google accounts. As more employers implement bring your own device (BYOD) pol

Jul 21, 2025, 6:50:24 PM | Engadget
OpenAI is getting closer with the UK government

The UK government has announced

Jul 21, 2025, 6:50:22 PM | Engadget