In a move echoing Apple’s lead, Google has unveiled a groundbreaking feature that allows your phone to communicate via satellite during emergencies. This new capability, dubbed Satellite SOS, was announced during Google’s highly anticipated Pixel 9 reveal event. It enables users to contact emergency responders and share their location even when they lack cellular service—a crucial lifeline in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
The Pixel 9 series will be the first Android phones to feature Satellite SOS, as highlighted by Google’s Brian Rakowski during the event. This new feature is the result of a partnership with Skylo and will initially be available exclusively in the United States. Rakowski emphasized that the service will be accessible regardless of your carrier plan, though it comes with some limitations—it won’t be available in Hawaii and Alaska, according to Google’s support page.
One of the key details shared during the event is that the service will be included at no extra cost for the first two years after activating a Pixel 9 device. Rakowski later clarified in a blog post that this free period applies specifically to Pixel phones. However, it remains unclear when, or if, this feature will become available for other Android devices.
Google’s Satellite SOS is a welcome addition to the Android ecosystem, especially in light of Qualcomm’s unsuccessful attempt to introduce a similar service. This launch follows Apple’s introduction of its own satellite service, Emergency SOS, in November 2022. Notably, Apple extended an additional year of free coverage to iPhone 14 users, meaning that iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 owners will need to decide by November 2025 whether to pay for continued access to the service.
With Satellite SOS, Google is taking a significant step toward enhancing user safety, especially in situations where conventional communication networks are unavailable. This new feature could be a game-changer for Android users who venture off the beaten path or find themselves in emergency situations.
