Japan is the fourth country to get Apple's satellite messaging feature, behind US, Canada, and Mexico.
Messages via Satellite allows iPhone users to send texts while not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular service. If that happens, iPhone will send a lock-screen alert that prompts the user to connect to a satellite to check for and send messages.
The feature was first announced at WWDC 2024. It then rolled out as part of iOS 18 for users in the United States and Canada.
In May 2025, Messages via Satellite came to Mexico as part of the iOS 18.4 update. Apple says Japan is the newest country to get the feature, spotted by MacRumors.
To use the feature, users must be using an iPhone 14 or newer. Users in the United States, Canada, and Japan will need to be running iOS 18 or later, while those in Mexico must be running iOS 18.4 or later.
Apple notes that iPhone Satellite messaging only works in those three countries. It is currently trying to expand it to more regions.
