Apple Announces New Roadside Assistance via Satellite Feature for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Announces New Roadside Assistance via Satellite Feature for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15

At today's iPhone 15 event, Apple introduced an add-on feature to Emergency SOS via Satellite called Roadside Assistance via Satellite. The feature is similar to Emergency SOS, but it allows iPhone users to contact roadside assistance if they have car trouble in an area without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.

apple roadside assistance
Roadside Assistance via Satellite is available for the iPhone 15 models, but it is also a feature that is retroactively available for the iPhone 14 lineup. Available in the United States, roadside assistance is being offered through a partnership with AAA.

The functionality is included in an AAA membership, but Apple said that iPhone users can also get access separately. The company did not provide details on what it would cost without an AAA membership, but AAA is priced starting at $65 per year.

As with Emergency SOS via Satellite, you can text roadside assistance and choose what you need help with. Options demonstrated at the event included flat tire, no fuel, locked out, vehicle stuck, and vehicle does not start.

Apple includes two years of Emergency SOS via Satellite and Roadside Assistance via Satellite connectivity for free with the purchase of an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15. Note that in the case of Roadside Assistance, you need the satellite connectivity and to pay the additional fee to AAA.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display family lineup feature

Apple Announces OLED MacBook Pro With Touch Display

Wednesday October 28, 2026 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new high-end MacBook Pro, which is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes. The new device has a PROLED XDR display that supports touch gestures, and a glowing rear Apple logo. Pricing on the MacBook Pro starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model. Apple says the MacBook Pro has the "world's best display in a pro laptop." The PROLED...
iPad mini OLED feature 1

Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display

Thursday October 29, 2026 1:47 pm PDT by
While the new iPad mini has an OLED display, the device does not support ProMotion, meaning the display's refresh rate is limited to 60Hz instead of 120Hz. ProMotion support would have allowed for the iPad mini's refresh rate to automatically adjust from 10Hz to 120Hz depending on the content being displayed, but evidently Apple has kept the feature exclusive to the iPad Pro among iPad...
iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....

Top Rated Comments

41 months ago

The only time I didn't have cellular connection in the past 10 years happened in the US. Sorry, it just doesn't happen in Europe, at least not on roads. Here in Switzerland where I live, not even on mountain peaks.
Well considering that the US is 27,723% larger than Switzerland that really isn't surprising that you don't understand how much area we have to cover.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheColtr Avatar
41 months ago
I have had AAA roadside since I started driving, and my parents and grandparents have had it for decades. I love AAA and I am so happy Apple partnered with them on this.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zach-coleman Avatar
41 months ago
I wonder how they’ll fit a ”Apple saved me when my car broke down” into next year‘s keynote without it seeming silly in comparison to the ones who almost died.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
41 months ago

I wonder how they’ll fit a ”Apple saved me when my car broke down” into next year‘s keynote without it seeming silly in comparison to the ones who almost died.
I saw the playbooks already for next year. Here's a glimpse. They already have some stories lined up. For example:

1. a soon to be father whos driving the soon to be mother to the hospital ready to welcome a baby on time due to this new feature.

2. Student driving to University to attend exams, but car broke down. Due to her Apple Watch she was able to arrive on time and graduated with honours.

3. Self-Employed delivery guy who specialises in certain goods with a contract for delivering certain products on time, whol almost came late, but luckily just bought the new iPhone 15 Pro.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bgillander Avatar
41 months ago

I love it when they push these US features (where you don't have mobile coverage) to the rest of the world (where you basically have 100% mobile coverage) and they think it's cool.

If my car breaks down, I just use my phone to call roadside assistance. That's it, I don't need any special satellite coverage.
You really think the entire world other than the USA has basically 100% mobile coverage?!?

I could see complaining about adding a feature if you were somehow forced to use it, but a number of people have been complaining on these forums that the satellite coverage wasn’t available in their area, so there appears to be a demand. This would be like me complaining that Apple wasted time adding different languages to their iPhone that I don’t need. US, Europe, or wherever, thinking that your area is “the world” is thinking rather small.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
75Batt Avatar
41 months ago

The only time I didn't have cellular connection in the past 10 years happened in the US. Sorry, it just doesn't happen in Europe, at least not on roads. Here in Switzerland where I live, not even on mountain peaks.
From Europe here. You have named one country. And I can say personally it has happened to me quite a few times in more than on European country. Apple didn’t make it available in Switzerland anyway so what is your issue?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
1 hour ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
3 hours ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
9 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
10 hours ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
16 hours ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
17 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
18 hours ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
18 hours ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
19 hours ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
20 hours ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
21 hours ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
22 hours ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
23 hours ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
23 hours ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
1 day ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
1 day ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
1 day ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
1 day ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
1 day ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
1 day ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
1 day ago
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
1 day ago
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
1 day ago
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
1 day ago
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
2 days ago
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
2 days ago
Here's a Hands-On Look at HomePod Mini 2's New Two-Tone Colors
Here's a Hands-On Look at HomePod Mini 2's New Two-Tone Colors
2 days ago
Apple Lowers App Store Fees in Taiwan Starting October 31
Apple Lowers App Store Fees in Taiwan Starting October 31
2 days ago
HomeView Pre-Order Returns to $289.99 on Amazon
HomeView Pre-Order Returns to $289.99 on Amazon
2 days ago
Apple Avoids Showing Pinched Fingers on iPad Mini Page in South Korea
Apple Avoids Showing Pinched Fingers on iPad Mini Page in South Korea
2 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors