A new report reveals what satellite messaging on Android phones will look like.

One of the major features mentioned in Android 15 was support for satellite messaging. However, while the OS is capable of using this feature, it still requires support from carriers to actually make it work. Yesterday, T-Mobile announced that it is working with Starlink to put its satellite messaging service into beta mode. When eventually released, the service will allow communication via satellite, but until now we had no idea what its capabilities would be.

In a recent report, Android Authority was able to make the satellite connection option appear in the Google Messages app. When enabled, the Messages app sends a pop-up that seems to prompt the user to connect to the satellite in order to send and receive messages. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be an option to connect to group chats, so this may not be supported.

According to the report, the pop-up appears as soon as the user leaves both cellular and WI-FI range and can be activated by pressing a button. The connection is also disconnected when the user returns to the range of more terrestrial connection sources.

Satellite messaging has been one of the more useful upgrades to smartphone technology in recent years, with Apple launching emergency SOS via satellite in the iPhone 14 series in 2022. This year, Apple debuted the ability to send messages via satellite in iOS 18. The advantages from an emergency perspective are clear, as users can connect wherever they are.

Since Android 15 has been out for so long, it is a bit disappointing that this feature is not yet active. In fact, it is said that Google may launch Android 16 earlier than expected, on June 3.

It is not known when T-Mobile or other carriers will make satellite messaging available. But when it finally does, it will no doubt be a massive improvement to some of the best Android phones.