iOS 17.6 Update Brings Apple Emergency SOS Via Satellite Feature to iPhone Customers in Japan

Apple rolled out the iOS 17.6 replace for eligible iPhone fashions on Monday. The firm previewed its upcoming iOS 18 replace on the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 on June 10, and the newest iOS 17 replace doesn’t add any groundbreaking new options to the iPhone. However, one key characteristic which may probably save the person’s life in dire conditions — Emergency SOS by way of Satellite — has been expanded to 1 extra nation.

Japan Gets Emergency SOS Via Satellite Feature

The firm says that eligible iPhone customers in Japan can now entry the Emergency SOS by way of Satellite characteristic after updating to iOS 17.6. With the newest replace, they will contact emergency providers utilizing satellite-based communication even at areas with no mobile community or Wi-Fi connectivity.

This characteristic was first launched in November 2022 within the US and Canada. In subsequent months, it was expanded to some different areas. At the time Apple introduced that Emergency SOS by way of Satellite could be provided freed from cost to customers for a interval of two years. However, the iPhone maker prolonged the interval for another 12 months, making it free to make use of no less than till 2025.

Emergency SOS Via Satellite Availability

Apple says the Emergency SOS by way of Satellite characteristic is now obtainable within the following areas: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US. It is just appropriate with iPhone 14 and later fashions.

In addition to the enlargement of the satellite-based communication characteristic, the iOS 17.6 replace additionally brings bug fixes for identified points. As per Apple’s launch notes, it resolves issues associated to the AVFoundation Capture subsystem and MarketplaceKit – choices that are solely accessible by builders.

iOS 17.6 Update is Now Available for Download on iPhone

While Gadgets 360 employees members had been capable of confirm the replace’s arrival on iPhone, the Emergency SOS by way of Satellite characteristic will not be obtainable in India.

Alongside iOS 17.6, Apple rolled out iPadOS 17.6, tvOS 17.6, watchOS 10.6, and visionOS 1.3 updates for its gadgets. It additionally launched the iOS 18.1 Developer Beta 1 replace parallelly, bringing options powered by Apple Intelligence – its suite of synthetic intelligence (AI) providers – to the iPhone.