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T-Mobile Begins Cellular Starlink Beta, But It Only Works on These Samsung Phones
For now, T-Mobile restricts the beta for SpaceX's direct-to-cell Starlink system to Samsung S24 phones and two Galaxy foldable models.
By Michael Kan January 14, 2025 Facebook Twitter Reddit Social Share Reddit Pinterest Flipboard LinkedIn Email Copied Error! Copy Link https://www.pcmag.com/news/t-mobile-begins-cellular-starlink-beta-but-it-only-works-on-these-samsung Comments (Photo illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It looks like T-Mobile is now accepting customers into the free beta program for SpaceX’s cellular Starlink service—but only if you have the latest Samsung handsets.
On Tuesday, a number of T-Mobile subscribers reported receiving access to T-Mobile's "direct-to-cell" Starlink beta program, which the company announced last month.T-Mobile has been notifying eligible customers through text messages, according to social media posts. One included a screenshot showing a T-Mobile account subscribed to the satellite network.
The technology lets you send text messages without relying on traditional ground-based cell towers. Instead, the phone relays the text messages using orbiting Starlink satellites, giving consumers a way to remain connected in cellular dead zones, similar to Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite messaging for iPhones.
When we asked about the beta launch, T-Mobile said: "We continue to make great progress toward a full beta test availability; more details to come soon."
In the meantime, the carrier also published a new support document that reveals the cellular Starlink system only works on five Samsung models for now: the Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G, Galaxy Z Fold 6 5G, Galaxy S24 5G, Galaxy S24 Plus 5G, and Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G.
“Text messages may take longer than normal to be sent while connected to the T-Mobile Starlink satellite network,” the support document says. “Picture and video messaging is not included during the beta phase.” Recommended by Our Editors Starlink's $50-Per-Month 'Backup' Plan Has One Big Downside Elon Musk Using Cybertrucks As Starlink Stations for LA Fire Relief AST SpaceMobile's Large Satellites to Roll and Tilt to Prevent Astronomy Interference
Eligible phones will only switch to satellite connectivity if customers are in an area without traditional cell or roaming services. “Manually selecting the T-Mobile Starlink network will not work while other cellular connection options are available,” the document adds. “When connected to T-Mobile Starlink, your device will display T-Mobile SpaceX at the top-left side of your screen.”
SpaceX recently secured approval from the FCC to operate the cellular Starlink technology commercially. T-Mobile has not announced pricing, but SpaceX plans to eventually support data and voice calls via the cellular Starlink service. T-Mobile has also activated the cellular Starlink tech for customers living in areas of Los Angeles devastated by the recent wildfires. The same satellites will also beam emergency alerts to all phones in the affected areas, regardless of carrier.
Yeah, I have a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 1TB and it doesn't have the satellite connectivity option like I see online. I am fully updated as well, but it's still not showing up. Don't understand why my phone doesn't show this option. Even unlocked the developer mode to see if it would show up there, but it doesn't. Only paid $1500 for the phone last year when it came out, but it's apparently not supported even though they say it is......
I think you should email them and see what their response is.
Yeah, TM is still lying on their own webpages:
"Anyone with a compatible device is eligible for T-Mobile Starlink beta trial, limited spots available."
Obviously, according to TM themselves, this is 100% untrue.
Apple and SpaceX Link Up to Support Starlink Satellite Network on iPhones
- Latest iPhone update poised to work with upcoming service
- T-Mobile begins pushing offering in limited beta test to users
Apple iPhone 16 smartphones. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg
By Mark Gurman
January 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM UTC
Apple Inc. has been secretly working with SpaceX and T-Mobile US Inc. to add support for the Starlink network in its latest iPhone software, providing an alternative to the company’s in-house satellite-communication service.
The companies have been testing iPhones with the Starlink service from Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp., according to people with knowledge of the matter. In an under-the-radar move, the smartphone’s latest software update — released Monday — now supports the technology.
The tie-up comes as a surprise: T-Mobile has previously only specified Starlink as an option for Samsung Electronics Co. phones, such as the Z Fold and S24 models. Apple, meanwhile, already provides a Globalstar Inc. offering that lets consumers send texts and contact emergency responders when out of cellular range.
T-Mobile has begun allowing customers to sign up for an early version of the Starlink service, and this week the carrier enabled a small number of iPhones as part of a beta test.
The first users received text messages from T-Mobile saying, “You’re in the T-Mobile Starlink beta. You can now stay connected with texting via satellite from virtually anywhere. To start experiencing coverage beyond, please update to iOS 18.3.” Users in the program have a new toggle switch in their iPhone cellular data settings to manage the satellite feature.
An Apple spokesperson declined to comment, while T-Mobile said that the test will “begin with select optimized smartphones” and that the full launch will “support the vast majority of modern smartphones.” T-Mobile has also opened the beta to some users running Android 15, the latest version of the Google operating system. A representative for SpaceX didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ever since Apple teamed up with Globalstar to offer satellite features in 2022, there’s been speculation over whether it might support competing networks. The day after Apple’s 2022 announcement, Musk posted on X that his company has “had some promising conversations with Apple about Starlink connectivity.”
Here’s how it will work: When a T-Mobile iPhone is in an area without cellular connectivity, devices that are part of the Starlink program will first try to pair with SpaceX satellites. Users will also be able to enable texting via the satellite menu for the Globalstar service or contact emergency services through Apple.
The initial version of Starlink is exclusively for texting. But SpaceX and T-Mobile have said that they plan to expand into data connections and voice calls in the future. The program also is only available in the US for now. That contrasts with Apple’s Globalstar service, which works in several countries. SpaceX is looking to expand Starlink to other carriers globally.
There’s another major difference between the two services. The current Apple feature requires users to point their iPhone to the sky to find a satellite. The Starlink option, meanwhile, is designed to work automatically — even when the phone is in a customer’s pocket.
Both the Starlink and Apple satellite features are designed to work in off-the-grid areas, such as hiking trails, that don’t have cellular service. The capabilities can’t be used in places where a mobile-phone network is within reach. Support for the Apple feature is available on most current iPhone models and the company plans to bring it to its Ultra smartwatch later this year, Bloomberg News has reported.
T-Mobile updated its website this week to tell beta testers that the iPhone is supported as part of the iOS 18.3 software release. As of now, the number of users in the beta is minimal, with T-Mobile planning to expand the program in February. Apple’s announcement of iOS 18.3 touted AI features and bug fixes, but it didn’t disclose the Starlink support.
SpaceX requested authority to begin beta-testing the service starting Monday. The Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX conditional approval for its satellites to supplement T-Mobile’s cellular network in November.
I'm guessing they are only letting folks with locked down T-Mobile versions of the S24s test because I have an unlocked S24 Ultra and I was probably one of the first ones to sign up for the beta months ago and I got a stupid text saying they are only allowing the newest phones right now (which mine is.). Garbage T-mobile. You need to allow unlocked S24s to get beta testing access too
Same. I have a s24 ultra unlocked (I wanted the 1TB version) and they sent me the exact same message. I'm very disappointed...
Did anybody on h ere get this message?
T-Mobile: We're still getting everything ready for T-Mobile Starlink beta 🛰️ and things are happening fast. In the meantime, keep up-to-date as we continue to prepare an unprecedented amount of satellites in orbit, with even more launching regularly. Stay tuned at https://sms.t-mobile.com/C8PQZpTq
I didn't receive that one but I got this one this morning:
T-Mobile: Did you catch that? T-Mobile Starlink took the stage in the big game. Rest assured, your place in line is secure. We'll be in touch with more details soon, including how to get an exclusive Early Adopter Discount. Stay tuned! Stay up to date on the latest at https://sms.t-mobile.com/oO4CjN0a
This makes it easier to shrink the beta pool. The latest devices always get their updates first, so this makes sense as someone that has participated in many betas from Microsoft, Samsung, Google, T-Mobile, OnePlus, and many other companies.
