Mishal Rahman / Android Authority
TL;DR
- With the release of Android 15 earlier this week, Google officially introduced support for satellite messaging to the operating system.
- However, this feature is not yet enabled and there are still many questions about how it will ultimately work.
- Google gave Android permissions There are some statements that clarify the situation a bit more, but it still lacks complete clarity.
Earlier this week, Google rolled out the stable Android 15 update for Pixel smartphones. The press release distributed to the media before the launch included a line about perhaps the most important addition to the operating system: support for satellite messaging. Here is that sentence.
Carrier messaging apps can use satellite connections to send and receive messages without a mobile or Wi-Fi connection.
Unfortunately, despite what this press release says, satellite messaging is currently not available on Android 15. In fact, if you search for “satellite” in your Pixel 9 Pro’s Android settings, only Emergency Satellite Messaging will appear. This is a separate feature. Exclusive to Pixel 9, it was originally included in Android 14.
Now the question arises: What is actually Will there be satellite messaging in Android 15? We reached out to Google for some answers, and we got an explanation that’s a little clearer than before. But true clarity still eludes us. But for now, let’s get into what we know.
Satellite Messaging on Android 15: Which phone and carrier?
As a quick introduction, Satellite Messaging in Android 15 allows users to send text messages even when terrestrial networks (Wi-Fi or cell towers) are unavailable. This feature is similar to the Pixel’s Satellite SOS feature and the iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature, but instead of being locked into sending messages only to emergency services, you can send messages to anyone. This allows you, for example, to send a text message to your mother to let her know that you have safely arrived at your off-grid cabin in the woods. All you need to send that message is a clear view of the sky.
The first question we had with Google was whether this would work on any phone running Android 15, or whether it would be software locked to a specific device. Assuming your phone has the right hardware, Google says: All phones running Android 15 will be able to use satellite messaging.. However, it added that carriers offering satellite messaging services may decide to limit the service to certain phones. This appears to be something that Google cannot or cannot control.
Google has confirmed that any Android 15 smartphone with the appropriate hardware can use satellite messaging. However, your carrier must allow it first.
Carrier influence on satellite messaging was expected. Even before Google officially announced this feature, it was rumored to be in the works and we knew it wouldn’t be free. Sending messages to emergency services using text is currently free on iPhone and Pixel. This is because users don’t often need to do it. But using satellite to have that “where is this relationship going” conversation with your girlfriend is prohibitively expensive, so there’s no way it’s going to be free. You have to pay a fee to your carrier to take advantage of that privilege. This is probably the biggest reason why satellite messaging isn’t enabled yet in Android 15. Carriers are still figuring out how to charge for it.
Rumors are flying around that T-Mobile is partnering with Starlink to become the first carrier to have a satellite messaging plan for Android phones. However, full information about that envisioned plan has not yet been made public, and we have heard little about Verizon and AT&T’s intentions in this area. However, according to a statement Google sent us, Google is leaving carriers free to do whatever they want, even if it means blocking certain phones. It seems there are.
To be a little more clear here, I also asked if satellite messaging only works with T-Mobile. Google said it is working with multiple carriers in the United States and around the world. As usual, in terms of time frames, Google’s response was “soon.”
Which apps do I need for satellite messaging on Android 15?
Google’s press release mentions a “career messaging app.” This led us to believe that carriers may provide specific apps that users need to utilize satellite messaging. All of the major U.S. carriers, and unexpectedly even Samsung, are moving to abandon their attempts at carrier-branded messaging apps and adopt Google Messages as the default messaging app on Android phones. , which is strange. For example, Verizon recently retired its Message Plus app and moved entirely to Google’s Messages. If you’re pushing a new app just for satellite messaging, why would you do something like this?
Google tells us that the reality is much simpler than it seems. No special settings are required to enable satellite messaging on Android 15. The carrier simply turns the service “on” and the user can access it. In theory, this could work correctly with messages. In fact, we’ve already seen plenty of evidence that Google is working behind the scenes to make this possible in Messages. It even includes instructions on how to position your phone for optimal communication with the satellite and how to send messages. “Anyone.”
In other words, you shouldn’t think you’ll need a new messaging app for your satellite connection. Everything is very likely to work with messages, at least here in the US.
Google Revealed: The Ball Is Now in the Carrier’s Court
The basic gist of all this information is that Google did the best it could. Android 15 supports satellite messaging, and the company is working on building a solution for users within the Messages app. All that remains is for carriers to offer plans that allow users to send messages to anyone, anywhere, regardless of terrestrial connectivity.
The question is when will that happen? As mentioned earlier, T-Mobile is the carrier furthest along in this development, but has not made an official announcement. At this point, no one knows when one of Android 15’s marquee features will be available. And no one knows how much it will cost. Do I have to pay per message? Do I pay for both outgoing and incoming messages? Are there additional charges for group messages? Are there subscription plans that allow me to receive unlimited messages? All questions are now in the hands of carriers.
The bottom line, though, is that it takes quite a while to send an email to your mother from your cabin without electricity, so make other arrangements in the meantime. Do we recommend Garmin inReach Mini 2?
