Apple introduced satellite SOS connectivity for its devices with the iPhone 14 in 2022, but – despite many rumors – it is not yet available on Android. Now it looks like the feature will arrive on Google Pixel phones in the near future.
If you’re not familiar with emergency SOS satellite messaging, it can help you get help even if you don’t have an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection. It’s already been credited saving the lives of people stranded far from home.
As noted by 9to5Google, a ‘Satellite SOS’ option has actually appeared in the Safety & Emergency section of the settings on Pixel phones. We were able to see it with our own eyes on a Google Pixel 8.
At this point, tapping the option doesn’t actually do anything. It appears Google made the feature live before it was ready – but preparations are clearly being made to add satellite connectivity to the Pixel series at some point.
Hidden screens
The 9to5Google team was able to dig a little deeper and find even more screens related to the Satellite SOS feature. There is mention of Garmin, a company previously said to help Google with satellite connectivity.
“Your Pixel lets you send messages to emergency services and share your location if you can’t connect to a mobile or Wi-Fi network,” reads the text on one of the pages that 9to5Google managed to find in the Pixel code.
While this has been noticed on Pixel phones, it is entirely possible that this will happen on other Android devices as well. We expected both the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S24 to have this feature, but it hasn’t appeared yet.
It’s not just a matter of flipping a switch either: satellite connectivity requires a chipset and antennas that support it, and it’s not clear whether the latest Pixel or Galaxy S phones have the necessary hardware. It could be something saved for the Google Pixel 9.