Credit: Justin Duino / How-To Geek

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Summary

• T-Mobile offers free Starlink-powered emergency texting to 911 for all carriers.
• If your phone has native satellite texting (iPhone 14+, Pixel 9+), T-Mobile’s won’t work.
• T-Mobile users enable it in Manage Data; others sign up online. Non-T-Mobile phones need unlocked eSIM.

You can breathe a little easier the next time you hike far outside of cell service. T-Mobile is making its Starlink-powered emergency texting to 911 free and open to everyone—including AT&T and Verizon customers.

T-Mobile’s “T-Satellite” service was first launched in June, initially as a $10 per month add-on that allowed both T-Mobile and non-T-Mobile subscribers to send standard messages, share their location, and access specific apps without internet access. That package also included texts to 911. Now, you don’t have to pay anything to get the emergency messaging capability.

This is a pretty big deal, and a good thing, but there are some pretty specific technical requirements you need to meet. Not every phone will be able to take advantage of this functionality, and it’s a good idea to know the exceptions before you might need it.

If your phone already has built-in emergency satellite texting, like the iPhone 14 and newer or the Google Pixel 9 and up (not the Pixel 9A), you don’t get access to this. Make sure you know how to use the built-in feature if you own one of those devices. To use T-Mobile’s version, you’ll need a phone like the iPhone 13, the Pixel 9A, any Samsung Galaxy S21 or later, or a newer Motorola device.

For those who are customers of AT&T or Verizon, you’re welcome to sign up, but you’ll need to make sure your phone is unlocked and supports an eSIM. That’s how T-Mobile brings the service to your non-T-Mobile device.

If you’re already a T-Mobile customer, you just need to sign in to your online account and look under the “Manage Data & Add-ons” section to activate the feature. Everyone else can enroll through a dedicated sign-up page on T-Mobile’s website. Once you’re signed up, your phone will automatically connect to T-Mobile’s emergency texting network anytime you lose regular cellular coverage. Hopefully, you never need it.

Source: T-Mobile