Satellite Feature on iPhone Allowed Skiers to Seek Help After Avalanche

The New York Times • February 19, 2026 • technology

Key Points:

Six survivors of an avalanche near Lake Tahoe used the iPhone's Emergency SOS feature and an emergency beacon to communicate with emergency responders during their rescue.
The Emergency SOS feature enables users to text emergency services via satellite even without cellular service or Wi-Fi, facilitating coordination with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office over a four-hour period.
Apple recommends attempting to call emergency numbers like 911 first; if unsuccessful, users can send a text via satellite that provides responders with crucial information such as location and battery life.
Emergency SOS is available on all iPhone 14 through 17 models running iOS 16.1 or newer, and the service is free for two years after phone activation.
A similar satellite texting feature also