T-Mobile's Satellite Communication Beta Program Excludes iPhones: What's Going On?

T-Mobile recently launched its beta program for a satellite-powered direct-to-cellular communication service in collaboration with SpaceX, but many iPhone users are feeling left out. While the program initially seemed to support a range of Android and iOS devices, it has now become clear that Apple’s latest iPhones will not be included at this time. After receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), T-Mobile began notifying customers who were accepted into the program. Currently, only select Samsung devices, specifically those purchased through T-Mobile, are eligible. Users of smartphones purchased through other means, including unlocked models, are facing confusion and disappointment. A user of the iPhone 16 Pro Max reported receiving a message from T-Mobile stating that only smartphones released within the last two years are eligible for the beta program, with plans to support more devices in the future. T-Mobile appears to have restricted eligibility to only Android phones that are locked to its network, leaving many customers puzzled as to why newer Apple devices are excluded. Reports suggest that as of now, the service is limited to five officially supported devices, all of which are from the Samsung Galaxy lineup: the Galaxy Z Flip 6 5G, Galaxy Z Fold 6 5G, Galaxy S24 5G, Galaxy S24 Plus 5G, and Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G. The ineligibility of iPhones could be rooted in the program's required use of Google Messages, which is unavailable for iOS users. Though iPhone models 14 and later do offer satellite connectivity through Apple's partnership with Globalstar, they seem not to be compatible with T-Mobile's new satellite service at this moment. It’s important to note that T-Mobile's beta program is in its early stages, and support for additional devices, including Apple’s iPhones, may be added in due time.