T-Mobile's Satellite Service Now Works With Popular Apps - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

T-Mobile's Satellite Service Now Works With Popular Apps

T-Mobile is expanding its T-Satellite with Starlink service, adding satellite data connectivity to multiple popular apps. That means T-Mobile users who don't have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection will be able to use Starlink satellite connectivity to access supported apps.

tmobile starlink
Apps that will work over a T-Mobile satellite connection include Google Maps, AllTrails, AccuWeather, CalTopo, X, WhatsApp (texts, voice, and video chat), onX, and T-Life.

Some native device apps like Google Messages, Find Hub, Pixel Weather, Apple Music, Apple Weather, and Apple Fitness were already able to be used with T-Mobile's U.S. satellite service.

T-Mobile subscribers with access to T-Satellite will see the satellite connection kick in whenever cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity are unavailable. Apps will offer tailored, critical content instead of full data-heavy experiences.

T-Satellite works on Apple's iPhones, and it can be used alongside the native satellite connectivity available in the iPhone 14 and later. The satellite service is included in T-Mobile's Experience Beyond and Go5G Next plans, and T-Mobile customers with other plans can get access for $10 per month. Smartphone users who do not have T-Mobile can subscribe to T-Satellite as a standalone service for $10 per month.

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...
apple pro tell logo

Apple Opened Pre-Orders for Five New Products This Week

Wednesday October 28, 2026 2:49 am PDT by
Apple opened pre-orders for five new products on Wednesday, October 28, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. Pre-orders opened for the following new products: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen Pre-orders for the iPad mini,...

Top Rated Comments

14 months ago
This service, for me, is great. I ride a dirt bike 20-40 miles into the woods and mountains where there is absolutely nothing. I also usually ride solo which makes it even more essential. Apple's satellite coverage is okay but the annoying stand around and find a satellite interface is terrible and annoying. I can't imagine having to do this if I crashed and needed help. I joined the beta for this and it works way better than Apple's coverage. No UI to find a satellite, it just connects when you no longer have cell coverage. It does it automatically and texts continue to come through like nothing changed. It does it in the woods or mountains and when I was driving in a remote area in Montana. It's super easy to stay in touch with my wife when my planned route changes and I need to update her on my whereabouts incase I crash.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago
I’ve been using T-Mobile’s Starlink service all summer in Wyoming, Colorado, Oregon, and California, in wilderness areas way outside normal cell coverage. It's been an amazing communication tool for logistics, planning, and staying in touch.

Battery usage has been pretty minimal when I’m just doing iMessage/SMS. Honestly feels about the same as being on a regular cell network, maybe even better since you can't use battery-hungry social media apps constantly. I’m curious to see how battery life changes once I start using Google Maps, AllTrails, or AccuWeather with it.

Also. Compared to friend's using a Garmin, or Apple’s satellite option, it feels a lot more normal since the phone just stays connected to the satellite cell network at all times while in your pocket. No need to hold it up to the sky or trigger something to activate. It's always on. The Starlink cell network usually gets 1 bar of service, sometimes 2 bars.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayducharme Avatar
14 months ago
Some native device apps like ... Apple Music ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-music/'), Apple Weather, and Apple Fitness were already able to be used
Because when you're stranded somewhere without cell service or WiFi, you gotta close those rings to a great playlist.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago

What makes an app supported or not? Serious question. Is T-Mobile limiting it to low-bandwidth apps, or do they somehow request some money from apps to be whitelisted? Not sure what the logic is.
The elimination of net neutrality.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fathergll Avatar
14 months ago

What makes an app supported or not? Serious question. Is T-Mobile limiting it to low-bandwidth apps, or do they somehow request some money from apps to be whitelisted? Not sure what the logic is.
App owners have to submit for approval and there are guidelines for optimization of the apps for satellite use. If there are additional fees beyond that I have no idea.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikebenton Avatar
14 months ago
I'm curious what the satellite service does to battery life. It would be nice to have the service as a backup when camping and be able to listen to streaming services....but not if it's going to drain my battery within 2 hours.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
1 hour ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
7 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
8 hours ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
15 hours ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
16 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
16 hours ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
16 hours ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
18 hours ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
18 hours ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
19 hours ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
21 hours ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
21 hours ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
21 hours ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
23 hours 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
Old 'Popcorn Time' App Left Hundreds of Thousands of Macs at Risk
Old 'Popcorn Time' App Left Hundreds of Thousands of Macs at Risk
2 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors