Apple is set to extend its satellite messaging service, introducing a Roadside Assistance feature in the UK through a partnership with Green Flag. This new service, launching with the iPhone 16, will enable drivers to get help in areas with poor or no cellular coverage, using satellite connectivity.

Previously available only in the US, the satellite Roadside Assistance messaging service will mean that iPhone users will still be able to communicate with breakdown services without a mobile or Wi-Fi signal. Scheduled for release with the iPhone 16 later this autumn, it promises greater safety and convenience for iPhone-using motorists in remote areas.

Green Flag, the UK roadside assistance provider, will support Apple in deploying this satellite-driven service. Aimed particularly at regions where mobile coverage is unreliable, the service will be accessible via a new interface on the latest iPhone model. However, while generally effective in open spaces, its performance may be reduced under cover or near large obstructions (satellites usually need a clear line of sight).

Apple’s Roadside Assistance will operate on a pay-per-use basis, thereby offering flexibility for UK drivers who prefer not to commit to a full-time subscription. This new service is expected to set a new industry standard in emergency communications via satellite and could also encourage the broader adoption of satellite assistance technologies, thereby helping Apple to diversify its product offerings and enhance its strategic positioning within the technology sector.