Verizon Rolls Out Satellite Texting for Android Phones

In 2025, satellite emergency alarms, text messages and even video calls to mobile phones will become a reality. Verizon recently announced a significant expansion of its satellite SMS function, confirming that some Android phones can now send text messages to any other user through satellites.

Apple added satellite emergency alerts to iPhones in 2022 and gradually improved the service. Unfortunately, Android devices are slow to join, but now Verizon Wireless users can finally use this feature. In addition, we expect AT&T will launch a similar service soon, and T-Mobile's Starlink messaging service will be launched soon.

Verizon partnered with Skylo to provide satellite-based emergency message and location sharing services to its users starting March 19, 2025. The company said in a press release that the update to enable satellite messages will be launched starting today and will continue for the next two weeks. However, there is one important limitation: It only works on Samsung Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 series phones.

"We are committed to empowering our customers' lives. Verizon's network is the largest in the United States and has already covered 99% of people living, working and playing. The extension of satellite SMS capabilities is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that our customers stay in touch no matter where they are."

Of course, an important question is how much the service costs for Verizon Wireless users. The good news is that it seems that the service will be completely free throughout 2025. More importantly, as more devices are released this year, this service will support more Verizon Android smartphones. However, I highly doubt how long it will last for free.

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Article 18 Earlier this year, Verizon confirmed that satellite SMS services for its Android phones will be available for free, but we don’t know how long this situation will last. It's very likely that it will become an expensive additional option sometime next year, but we can only wait and see.

How does Verizon satellite message work?

Verizon took a completely different approach than Apple or T-Mobile. Instead of investing in satellite brands or working with companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink, Verizon works with Skylo instead.

Users without cellular signals (or in signal blind spots) will be able to take advantage of in-orbit satellite constellations, allowing some Verizon Android phones to send messages or even share locations. Skylo does not have its own satellite, though. Instead, it works with countless providers including EchoStar, Inmarsat, ViaSat, etc. to leverage their existing satellites. This way, no matter where you are, there should be satellites close enough to transmit messages. Of course, the premise is that the person sending the message owns a Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9 series phone. These messages can be sent to any user, not just those with the Galaxy S25.

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Article 1 Sure, text messages and location sharing are great, but that's not the end of Verizon satellite ambitions. Last month, Verizon (and AT&T) successfully tested satellite video calls between phones in separate announcements. Obviously, this type of bandwidth is more difficult than sending fast text messages, but it is exciting to see the continuous improvement of this technology.

According to Verizon's partner Skylo, satellite text messages will be launched first this month, but other mobile services will be launched soon. Currently, Verizon users with updated Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9 can send satellite text messages to any other user outside of cellular services, which is great.

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