iPhone Users Can Sign Up to Try Starlink Connectivity For Free Until July, 2025

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T-Mobile has unveiled its Starlink satellite feature in public beta, making it accessible to anyone in the U.S. with a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone, regardless of their current carrier. Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, offers off-the-grid connectivity. Interested persons can sign-up on the company’s main web site at https://www.tmobile.com/

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Approved beta testers can enjoy free access to Starlink satellite connectivity until July, with limited spots available. After that, T-Mobile customers with a Go5G Next plan or another eligible plan will continue to have access to the feature without additional costs. However, T-Mobile customers on other plans can opt for the service at $15 per month, per line. Non-T-Mobile customers can access the service for $20 per month, per line.

Registration for the beta before the end of February will entitle T-Mobile customers to a discounted price of $10 per month starting in July.

In areas where cellular service is unavailable, a compatible iPhone or Android smartphone enrolled in the T-Mobile Starlink beta will automatically connect to one of hundreds of Starlink satellites in space. This enables iMessages and SMS messages to be sent and received even when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

T-Mobile has announced that voice call and mobile data support for Starlink will be introduced later.

In a support document, Apple informs users that the iPhone will display “SAT” in the status bar when utilizing a carrier-provided satellite feature, such as T-Mobile Starlink. To disable this feature, open the Settings app, navigate to Cellular, select your carrier or phone number, and toggle off Satellite.

Here are the necessary requirements:

iPhone 14, iPhone 15, or iPhone 16 (all models)
The latest version of iOS
A supported carrier
Some carriers may require a supported cellular plan

If this sounds familiar, it’s because Apple already offers satellite connectivity for free on all iPhone 14 models and newer, in collaboration with Globalstar. iPhones can access both Apple’s satellite features and those provided by a carrier.

Initially, Apple’s satellite connectivity was limited to emergency services. However, iOS 18 introduced the ability to send and receive iMessages and SMS messages to anyone via satellite. Additionally, iPhone users can update their location in the Find My app using satellite and arrange roadside assistance via satellite. These features are available in the U.S., but their availability varies in other countries. Notably, all these features are free to use at the moment.

Starlink boasts a larger satellite constellation compared to Globalstar, and connectivity is established automatically without the need to manually point the iPhone at the sky.