Musk’s Starlink Service Comes to Iowa and Illinois iPhone Users

If you live in Iowa or Illinois and own an iPhone, you might have heard that the latest iOS 18.3 update includes something pretty exciting—support for Starlink satellite texting. No joke, Apple and Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink satellite network are officially working together... kind of.

This new feature hopes to be a real game-changer for rural areas and dead zones. That being said, there’s also some confusion floating around. So, I'm hoping to break down the basics—what it means, how it works, when you can get it, and how you can essentially "turn it off" if you don't want it. With a little research, here's what I found.

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Wait… My iPhone Can Connect to SpaceX’s Starlink Now?!

Well, sort of. T-Mobile specifically has teamed up with Starlink to offer satellite-based texting when you're outside of regular cell service range. Apple didn’t make a deal with SpaceX directly—but because iPhones support T-Mobile’s network, this new feature just started working for some users after the most recent update.

Essentially, if you're in the middle of nowhere—like on a farm, deep in the woods, or driving through rural Illinois—your iPhone can now send texts using Starlink satellites instead of your basic cell tower.

But Apple has Satellites, Why Use Starlink too?

Good question. You may already know that iPhones have had satellite texting since the iPhone 14. You may also realize that it was only meant to be used in emergencies, and it could be very costly when used. Apple used Globalstar, and you had to physically point your phone at the sky to connect. It was a neat feature, but not overly convenient or easy to use, especially in an emergency.

Here’s what’s different with Starlink texting:

• It works automatically: no need to aim your phone anywhere, it simply connects on its own.
• It’s not just for emergencies: you can send regular texts, not just SOS messages.
• More satellites = better coverage: Starlink has way more satellites than Globalstar, which should mean better and faster connections when you may need them most.
• Future Plans: right now, it’s only for texting, but SpaceX says pictures, music, and even video calls will be coming.

So, What’s the Catch?

While this is exciting for people who explore, hike, and have issues with service regularly, there are some downsides too:

• Limited access: Only T-Mobile customers in the beta test can use it right now. No love yet for Verizon, AT&T, or UScellular users (of which, I am one).
• No calls or internet: Just texting, for now...
• Only in the United States: Apple’s Globalstar service works in other countries, but Starlink texting is U.S. only right now.

If you’re on T-Mobile and lucky enough to be in the beta, you might have already gotten a message saying:

“You’re in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere.”

-T-Mobile

By the way, if you're a T-Mobile user not in the Beta and want to sign up, just follow this link!

Should I Update My iPhone to Use it?

As far as anyone knows it's totally safe and convenient to use. Essentially, it’s just another way to stay connected when your reception is garbage. Heads up, since Apple itself isn’t running it (T-Mobile and SpaceX are), it’s said to be just as safe as any other network provider. Plus, iOS 18.3 brings a bunch of bug fixes and AI improvements, so it’s a good idea to update your iPhone anyway.

What If I Don’t Want This? Can I Turn It Off?

Absolutely! If you’d rather not have your iPhone talking to space, you can disable it in your settings:

• Go to Settings
• Tap “Cellular”
• Select “T-Mobile” (if you're a T-Mobile user)
• Turn off the “Satellite��� option

And if you change your mind later? You can always turn it back on.

So, is this a big deal for iPhone users? I think so—especially for people in rural areas, like Iowa or Illinois, and those who travel through places with bad cell service. I love to hike and often my trips take me well out of the service area. It would be nice to have an additional back-up plan in case of an emergency. I mean, if you’ve ever been in a dead zone while trying to text someone, this could be a lifesaver.

Obviously only some T-Mobile users in the beta program can try it out for now. That's not me, being a UScellular customer, but I’d love to know how well it’s working for you T-Mobile people! So, would you use Starlink texting if it became available? Or do you think it’s unnecessary?