Ever since the iPhone 14 arrived with satellite messaging – albeit only for emergencies – we’ve been wondering how long it would take for Android to catch up. According to the latest leak, Google’s platform could add the feature with Android 15 later this year.
Some are delving into the code in the latest beta version of Android 14, by the team at Android Authority, has revealed signs of a new satellite messaging page in Settings. The text on it talks about the ability to “send and receive text messages by satellite.”
Even more interesting, it appears the feature can work outside of emergency situations as well, as long as you have a clear view of the sky. This means you can continue sending messages when you are out of range of Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
That said, the page text says the feature is only available in “certain areas,” and calls are not included. You must also have signed up for a satellite messaging service. The page leads to a T-Mobile satellite coverage page that isn’t available yet, indicating some sort of partnership for US users is on the way.
Look at the sky
We know that T-Mobile is already working with SpaceX and its Starlink satellites to bring ‘direct to cell’ capabilities to phones – meaning you can get a satellite signal from any modern phone, without the need for any additional hardware components.
While this satellite coverage doesn’t have the bandwidth to let you stream 4K movies in the middle of nowhere – at least not to start with – it should be able to handle text communications if you can’t get online the normal way.
T-Mobile and SpaceX have already said that text messaging functionality will roll out later this year, which is in line with the expected Android 15 timeline. A developer preview is available now, and a public beta should follow in a few months.
We expected satellite features in Android 14, but the hardware and software support never came. This latest leak, along with the appearance of a mysterious satellite SOS feature on Pixel phones, makes a strong case that this will be the year Android finally catches up with regard to this particular feature.