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is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.
T-Mobile is opening up access to its Starlink-powered emergency texting service. The carrier announced on Wednesday that anyone with a compatible phone — even AT&T and Verizon customers — can sign up to text 911 over satellite for free.
In July, T-Mobile launched its “T-Satellite” service to customers across the US for $10 per month, allowing both T-Mobile and non-T-Mobile customers to send messages, share their location, and access select apps over satellite. This service also includes texts to 911, but now, that’s available for free.
You can sign up for emergency satellite texting if you have a phone compatible with T-Satellite, though there are some pretty notable exceptions. It doesn’t support phones with emergency satellite texting built in, including the iPhone 14 and later, as well as the Pixel 9 and up (excluding the 9A). That means you can only use T-Mobile’s 911 texting if you have an iPhone 13, Pixel 9A, a Samsung Galaxy S21 and up, or a newer Motorola phone.
If you’re a non-T-Mobile customer, you’ll also need to have an unlocked phone with an eSIM.
T-Mobile customers can sign up for the emergency satellite texting service by signing into their T-Mobile account online and choosing the option under the “Manage Data & Add-ons” section. Everyone else can enroll by signing up through T-Mobile’s website. Once you’re signed up, T-Mobile notes that your phone will automatically connect to T-Mobile’s emergency texting network in areas without cellular coverage.
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