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Samsung Galaxy smartphone users on T-Mobile’s network in the US are beginning to gain access to messaging via Starlink satellites.

The feature was initially announced a few months ago. Recently, a limited rollout began, with some Galaxy S24 series users confirming access. However, up until now, the feature was visible but non-operational on supported devices.

Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Strategy, and Products at T-Mobile, said: “T-Mobile Starlink is the first major low-earth orbit constellation in the world paired with terrestrial cellular spectrum, making the phone in your pocket work in areas of the US that have never, and probably never will, have ground based coverage.

“It’s a truly groundbreaking engineering breakthrough and means that we are one step closer to helping T-Mobile customers have confidence that – no matter where they are – if they can see the sky, they will be covered by T-Mobile.”

The newly active satellite messaging functionality enables users to send and receive text messages through a direct satellite connection.

A screenshot accompanying the rollout shared by a Reddit user contains essential information about the feature, including an indicator of whether a user is subscribed to the service.

T-Mobile/Starlink….I’m in! No text or email received…..
byu/RoosterIntelligent32 intmobile

This limited availability is believed to be part of a beta testing phase. Some individuals who signed up for early access to the service have reported gaining entry, but T-Mobile has not issued official announcements via email, notifications, or messages to alert eligible users.

At present, the Starlink functionality is restricted to Samsung’s top-tier Galaxy smartphones launched in 2024. Specifically, devices running One UI 6.1 or One UI 6.1.1 are reportedly compatible. Users participating in the beta version of Samsung’s Android 15-based One UI 7.0 software, however, appear to be excluded from the service.

Importantly, satellite messaging is currently tied to specific T-Mobile subscription plans. Broader availability or access via additional plans appears set to roll out in the coming months.

Looking ahead, T-Mobile is aiming to expand its satellite capabilities to include data connectivity and voice calls—a move that could revolutionise off-grid communication. However, these advanced features are unlikely to launch imminently as the company continues to fine-tune its partnership with SpaceX.

With natural disasters, remote travel, and patchy network conditions remaining unpredictable challenges, satellite messaging can provide users with a critical safety net.

(Photo by Mika Baumeister)

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About the Author

Ryan Daws

Senior Editor

Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media with over a decade of experience in crafting compelling narratives and making complex topics accessible. His articles and interviews with industry leaders have earned him recognition as a key influencer by organisations like Onalytica. Under his leadership, publications have been praised by analyst firms such as Forrester for their excellence and performance. Connect with him on X (@gadget_ry), Bluesky (@gadgetry.bsky.social), and/or Mastodon (@gadgetry@techhub.social)