Roadside Assistance via Satellite
Last year, Apple brought Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite to the iPhone 14 lineup, and both features have already saved lives and helped people get out of dangerous situations.
While Emergency SOS via Satellite is an excellent feature to have when you’re in dire straits, there are many times when your situation is merely inconvenient rather than life-threatening. In those situations, calling 911 would be highly inappropriate, so Apple is adding another tool for iOS 17 users with any iPhone that supports satellite communications.
With Roadside Assistance via Satellite, users who find themselves stranded in their cars in the middle of nowhere can summon help using the satellite connectivity on any iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 model. Whether you’ve been in a minor accident or simply run out of gas or blown a tire, you’ll be able to call for help, even when you don’t have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
Roadside Assistance via Satellite is launching initially in the US with AAA, where it will be included as part of that service’s normal fee structures, whether as part of a AAA membership or a pay-per-use service. As with Emergency SOS via Satellite, Apple isn’t charging extra for the satellite connection, at least not right away — the company says it’s still free for two years with the purchase of an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, so even those who bought the earlier model on launch day last year will still be able to enjoy it for another year. We’ll have to wait and see what Apple decides to do next fall.