Device guide · iPhone satellite

No bars? Your iPhone can still ask Relay.

iPhone 14 and later can send Messages via satellite when you're off the grid. Relay answers any texted question with live, sourced data — a weather service, field guide, and reference desk in one contact.

Text your questions to
86-GETRELAY
+1 (864) 387-3529

Setup in three steps

  1. 1

    Create your free Relay account

    Sign up at northstarrelay.com with your iPhone's phone number — or just text SIGNUP to Relay from Messages and your account is created over SMS, no website needed.

  2. 2

    Save the contact before you go

    Add +1 (864) 387-3529 (86-GETRELAY) to Contacts while you still have service. Messages via satellite requires iOS 18+ and works with SMS to any contact.

  3. 3

    Follow the satellite prompt and text

    When you're off-grid, open Messages, text Relay, and follow the on-screen guidance to connect to a satellite. Replies arrive the same way.

Location: Name a place in your question ("at Havasu Falls") or share coordinates as @lat,lon. Relay geocodes place names and remembers your location for follow-ups.

Messages via satellite availability varies by region and carrier; it currently requires iPhone 14 or later on iOS 18+.

Things people ask from a iPhone satellite

Weather at Havasu Falls tomorrow?
Tides at Point Reyes Sat
Nearest urgent care to Bishop CA?
Broke a tooth - what do I do?
Is Highway 120 open?
How long can I store filtered water?

Every factual reply is tagged with its source (src: NWS, src: NOAA) — see why you can trust Relay.

Put Relay on your iPhone satellite before the next trip.

Sign up free, add your number, and save 86-GETRELAY in your device before your next trip.

Get started free

Free during beta · 100 messages/day · no app required

No laptop handy? Text SIGNUP to 86-GETRELAY — the whole account is created over SMS.