Apple Surprises Users With Starlink Beta, Teams Up With Elon Musk's SpaceX And T-Mobile To Bring Satellite Texting For iPhone Users In iOS 18.3

Ananya Gairola

January 28, 2025

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has joined forces with Elon Musk's SpaceX and T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) to bring Starlink satellite texting capabilities to iPhones.

What Happened: Apple has integrated the Starlink satellite network into its latest iPhone software update iOS 18.3, released on Monday, reported Bloomberg.

T-Mobile has initiated a limited beta test, allowing some iPhone users to experience the Starlink service.

Participants in the beta received messages from T-Mobile, informing them of their inclusion in the Starlink program. The company said that the test will initially support select smartphones, with plans to expand to more devices, the report noted.

See Also: iOS 18.4 Preview: Updates To Siri, More Languages For Apple Intelligence, And Robot Vacuum Support — Everything We Know So Far

Currently, the Starlink service is limited to texting, but SpaceX and T-Mobile aim to include data and voice capabilities in the future.

The service is available only in the U.S. for now, contrasting with Apple’s satellite connectivity provider Globalstar (AMEX:GSAT) service, which operates in multiple countries.

Why It Matters: This partnership marks a significant shift, as T-Mobile had previously only mentioned Starlink compatibility with Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:SSNLF) devices.

Subscribe to the Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.

T-Mobile has also expanded the beta to include some users with Android 15, the newest version of Alphabet Inc's (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google's operating system.

Both the Starlink and Apple satellite services are intended for use in remote areas, like hiking trails, where cellular coverage is unavailable.

The Apple satellite service is supported on most modern iPhone models, and the company is also planning to introduce it on the Ultra smartwatch later this year, the report noted.

T-Mobile US is set to discuss its fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. The company’s third-quarter revenue reached $20.16 billion, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $20.01 billion. Apple’s first-quarter earnings report is expected on Jan. 30.

Price Action: Apple’s stock rose by 3.65% on Tuesday, ending the day at $238.26, and saw a further increase of 0.038% in after-hours trading, according to data from Benzinga Pro. TMUS’s stock dropped 0.17% on Tuesday, closing at $221.06, but gained 0.12% in after-hours trading.

Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com

Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link.

Read Next:

Stephen King Slams Elon Musk’s H-1B Visa Stance: ';Musk Thinks Smart Immigrants Can Stay – The Rest of You Washing Dishes â€¦ Get Lost’

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Recommended

The $43B Big Pharma Story is Starting Over-With a New Player - Ad

Trump's New AI Executive Order Will Spark a $10 Trillion Boom - Ad

Trump Just Got Authority to BAN This Critical Export - Ad

Marjorie Taylor Greene discloses buying more stocks in October. Here's a look at what she added to her portfolio.

IRS Direct File won't be available next year. Here's what that means for taxpayers

WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS Direct File, the electronic system for filing tax returns for free, will not be offered next year, the Trump administration has confirmed.

Urgent Copper Stock With Strong Catalysts

Urgent Copper Stock With Strong Catalysts - Ad

Quebec discovery. Strong grades. Roads and hydro in place. Funding secured for a busy drill calendar. Each assay can build scale and tighten the window for early entries as EVs and data centers pull harder on copper. Do not wait.

Gold prices have tumbled from recent records. What's behind the losses?

NEW YORK (AP) — Less than a day after to another record high, prices for the precious metal plunged — marking the biggest sell-off in years.

Wall Street Enters Its Strongest Month: These 7 Stocks Often Crush It

November is historically Wall Street's strongest month. These 7 stocks often delivered standout gains in recent decades.

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts...

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts... - Ad

George Gilder - who predicted the iPhone 17 years early and gave Reagan the first microchip - is making his boldest call yet. He says an American nanotech "super-convergence" could mint more millionaires than any event in recent memory. He's found 3 stocks set to benefit before November 18's bombshell.

Hillary Clinton Says Trump Taking A 'Break' From Gold-And-Marble Interior Renovations To Defy Court Order On SNAP: 'Nero Would Be Proud'

Hillary Clinton criticizes Trump for withholding SNAP benefits during shutdown, accusing him of defying court order and being indifferent to public suffering. Democrats blast Trump for creating hunger crisis and breaking the law.

UPS cargo plane with 3 aboard explodes on takeoff at Louisville airport, igniting huge fire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A large UPS cargo plane with three people aboard crashed Tuesday while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky, igniting an explosion and massive fire that left a thick plume of black smoke over the area.

New Number One Copper Start Alert

New Number One Copper Start Alert - Ad

EVs and AI devour copper. Supply cannot keep up. A Quebec discovery with high grade, infrastructure, and cheap power is funded to drill through the year. Catalysts are lining up. Institutions are circling. Move now while it is still early.

Denny's to be acquired and taken private in a deal valued at $620 million

Denny's said Monday that it's being acquired by a group on investors in a deal that will take the breakfast chain private.

Shaquille O'Neal's $180,000 Range Rover Stolen in Suspected Hacker Heist

The custom Range Rover belonging to Shaquille O'Neal has been stolen, reportedly due to a cyber attack.

The Smart Money Copper Trade

The Smart Money Copper Trade - Ad

Pros front run catalysts. This project checks grade, jurisdiction, and runway. Polymetallic upside, expanding footprint, and steady results can attract institutions fast as copper tightens. Study this trade idea while the story is still early.

2026 COLA Increase: Social Security Benefits To Rise By 2.8% In 2026, Here's How Much More You Will Get Every Month

The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% COLA increase for 2026, affecting 75 million Americans.

Layoffs are piling up, raising worker anxiety. Here are some companies that have cut jobs recently

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s a tough time for the .

Trump's Next Ban - Coming January 19, 2026 (shocking)

Trump's Next Ban - Coming January 19, 2026 (shocking) - Ad

On Jan 19, 2026, Trump is expected to sign an order banning exports of a material every tech firm needs. Not chips-but without it, tech stops. It's his move for U.S. tech dominance. $2T already committed by giants like Apple and NVIDIA. Weeks remain to position before the shift.

Jim Cramer Warns 'Don't Be Fooled' Because Speculators In Gold, Quantum And Nuclear Energy Aren't Going Down 'Without A Fight'

Former hedge fund manager and renowned CNBC TV host Jim Cramer is sounding the alarm on certain speculative pockets of the market, urging investors to sell into the "snapback" momentum if they haven't already done so.

S&P Global Boosts Outlook As CEO Hails Exceptional Growth

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) shares surge after reporting strong Q3 results, beating expectations with adjusted earnings of $4.73 per share.

Quiet Early Access Invite

Quiet Early Access Invite - Ad

We are sharing a small preview of a Quebec copper discovery with funded drilling and catalysts on deck. You will see the plan, targets, and milestones that could drive repricing as assays arrive. Early access is limited.

Elon Musk Tells Joe Rogan: 'Trump Actually Is Not Perfect, but He's Not Evil'

In a Friday appearance on The Joe Rogan Podcast, Elon Musk defended President Donald Trump, stating that while Trump is "not perfect," he is also "not evil."

ON Semiconductor, Williams Companies And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Monday

Key stocks to watch include Williams Companies, Spirit AeroSystems, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, IDEXX Laboratories, and ON Semiconductor

Out of 3,412 Juniors This Is the One

Out of 3,412 Juniors This Is the One - Ad

Only one lines up grade, scale potential, and Quebec power like this. Insider alignment is real. Stepouts are opening new zones. With EVs and grid buildouts rising, this could be the timely copper idea you have been waiting for.

Trump Warns Supreme Court Tariff Ruling Could 'Literally Destroy' The US: 'We'll Be Struggling For Years'

President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. economy would face significant challenges if the Supreme Court rules against the majority of the tariffs imposed this year.

Dave Ramsey Reveals Why Millionaires Crush Mortgages Early

Dave Ramsey advises buying a home with cash, citing his firm's survey of millionaires who often retire their mortgages in about 10 years.

The $43B Big Pharma Story is Starting Over-With a New Player

The $43B Big Pharma Story is Starting Over-With a New Player - Ad

Big Pharma once paid $43B for a small biotech with a similar platform. Now, a new company is following that same playbook, leveraging its patented delivery technology to attract partnerships and near-term revenue potential.

Scott Bessent Calls Elon Musk 'One of The Great Entrepreneurs' of This Generation: Says $1 Trillion Pay Package Is For 'Shareholders To Decide'

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised his former colleague, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk, while weighing in on his controversial $1 trillion compensation package.

Nigerian billionaire plans expansion of Africa's biggest oil refinery

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The billionaire owner of plans to expand its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day to meet growing fuel needs in the continent and beyond.

Trump's New AI Executive Order Will Spark a $10 Trillion Boom

Trump's New AI Executive Order Will Spark a $10 Trillion Boom - Ad

On July 23, 2025, Trump launched America's AI Action Plan to secure global tech dominance. Morgan Stanley calls it a $10T boom. It's the closest thing to a government-backed wealth transfer-and your chance to get in early.

Pizza Hut's parent company says it's considering selling the chain

Pizza Hut could soon be up for sale.

Chipotle Vs. Wingstop: Analyst Flags Income, Diversity Gaps

Wingstop's less affluent customer base may face short-term pressure; whereas Chipotle has pricing flexibility.

Trump Just Got Authority to BAN This Critical Export

Trump Just Got Authority to BAN This Critical Export - Ad

Trump's next move could reshape tech. He's expected to restrict exports of a key material The New York Times says "powers the world's tech." Action expected Jan 19. $10 trillion at stake. Chipmakers may be forced onshore. A few U.S. firms could see massive gains if you act early.

Consumer Tech News (Oct 27-31): Nvidia Surpasses $5T Market Cap, Trump-Xi Meeting Concludes, Big Tech Report Earnings & More

Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet beat Q3 estimates with revenue and earnings growth. Trump and Xi conclude high-stakes meeting with trade, soybean, and resource agreements, potentially impacting U.S.-China economic relations and global markets.

Trump says a Canadian ad misstated Ronald Reagan's views on tariffs. Here are the facts and context

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump pulled out of trade talks with Canada Thursday night, furious over what he called a “fake’’ television ad from Ontario’s provincial government that quoted former U.S. President Ronald Reagan from 38 years ago criticizing tariffs -- Trump’s favorite economic tool.

Urgent Copper Stock With Strong Catalysts

Urgent Copper Stock With Strong Catalysts - Ad

Why Are First Solar Shares Surging On Friday?

First Solar beats Q3 sales estimates and reports record module shipments. Analyst raises price target to $150 despite supply chain challenges.

Billie Eilish Asks Zuckerbeg, Other Billionaires To Donate

Billie Eilish urges billionaires to share their wealth for good causes during award acceptance speech. Mark Zuckerberg in attendance.

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts...

"Tech Prophet" Who Predicted the iPhone Now Predicts... - Ad

Trump's $8.5 Billion Deal With Australia Challenges Chinese Dominance

Trump and Albanese signed a partnership to secure critical mineral supply chains and strengthen defense cooperation.

Mohamed El-Erian Warns Government Shutdown Damage Is Intensifying: 'The long This Persists, The Slower And Less Complete The Bounce-Back...'

Prominent economist Mohamed El-Erian is sounding the alarm over the prolonged U.S. Government shutdown, warning that the economic consequences are becoming more severe as the standoff stretches into its 34th day.

New Number One Copper Start Alert

New Number One Copper Start Alert - Ad

Massive fireball erupts as UPS plane crashes at Kentucky airport, leaving 7 dead

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.

Trending Now