iOS 18.3 Does Not Install Starlink on Your iPhone: Discover the New Features of the Latest Update and Why It's Recommended to Download It.
Additionally, it is different from the emergency SOS service via satellite.
Recently, confusion has arisen regarding the iOS 18.3 update, due to various rumors circulating on platforms like TikTok. Some users claim that this version of the operating system incorporates Starlink technology into iPhones, which is not true. In the United States, access to Starlink is only available through T-Mobile and is currently in beta.
The iOS 18.3 update is relatively minor and primarily focuses on improving features of Apple Intelligence, enabling AI capabilities by default, fixing several bugs, and making changes to the network for T-Mobile customers. Owners of iPhone 14, 15, and 16 will have the option to connect to the carrier's Starlink terrestrial network, but this option is not activated by default.
To benefit from this connection, T-Mobile users must register to participate in the beta and be selected. It is important to note that Apple does not have a direct partnership with Starlink; the alliance is exclusively between T-Mobile and Starlink.
The main concern that has spread on social media revolves around the idea that iOS 18.3 adds a direct connection to Starlink without users' consent. However, Apple had already introduced its Emergency SOS service via satellite along with the iPhone 14, which is also compatible with the newer models. This service is not activated by default and is only used in the absence of LTE or Wi-Fi networks.
Even in the context of T-Mobile, to access the Starlink network, users must have an active plan, be enrolled in the beta, and be in an area with adequate coverage. This option will allow devices to connect to T-Mobile's 1900MHz spectrum under specific circumstances, when conventional cellular networks are unavailable.
Additionally, it is crucial to always keep the iPhone software updated, as using older versions can increase vulnerability to security and privacy issues. Although iOS 18.3 does not introduce a direct connection to Starlink, it does allow iPhones connected to T-Mobile to utilize this network under certain conditions, always within the framework of the collaboration between the carrier and Starlink.
For T-Mobile users who prefer not to use Starlink, there is an option to disable this functionality through their phone's settings.
