Level 1

39 points

Opt out of Starlink coverage on iPhone?

I saw that Apple would be partnering with Starlink for satellite messaging coverage and I'd like to ensure that there is a way to opt out of this as a personal choice.

[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Jan 31, 2025 7:55 AM

Top-ranking reply

MrHoffman

Community+ 2025

Level 10

144,959 points

Posted on Feb 2, 2025 1:48 PM

There are two separate satellite-related communications paths associated with Apple,kPhone, given the recent announcement.

There is the original out-of-coverage satellite access provided by Apple, and that coverage involves Globalstar.

There is now the recently-announced direct-to-satellite cellular, and that depends on the chosen cellular carrier and cellular plan. That includes the T-Mobile coverage (currently in beta) involving Starlink.

If you don’t want any dealing with SpaceX Starlink, then you’ll want to discuss that with T-Mobile if they’re your carrier, if (when?) the T-Mobile direct-to-satellite beta concludes with general coverage availability. Or discuss that preference with whatever other terrestrial carriers might eventually add Starlink coverage, or with whatever carriers might align with Kuiper*.

The recent announcement around Apple was the addition of Apple iPhone to the T-Mobile beta, as that beta was previously only available to Android devices.

*if and when the Kuiper constellation comes online, and if and when Kuiper then adds direct-to-satellite coverage.

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217 replies

Feb 21, 2025 2:29 AM in response to moduperstar

I don’t want to be connected either. My family has been with APPLE products for almost 20 years and if they are partnering with Starlink we will be switching all our products to Samsung. Apple has made a big mistake. All iPhones, IPads and watches will be quickly going into the garbage. We’ve already sold all our Apple stocks as well.

pogster

Level 5

5,123 points

Feb 21, 2025 3:11 AM in response to Realblue74

Realblue74 wrote:

I don’t want to be connected either. My family has been with APPLE products for almost 20 years and if they are partnering with Starlink we will be switching all our products to Samsung. Apple has made a big mistake. All iPhones, IPads and watches will be quickly going into the garbage. We’ve already sold all our Apple stocks as well.

Well you're wrong. Go back and read the whole thread as this has been explained many, many times over.

Jeff Donald

Level 8

44,658 points

Feb 21, 2025 5:16 PM in response to hollnagelc

Yes, rural areas that have no cellular coverage in 48 contiguous US is about 500,000 square miles and about 7% of the population. How big is 500,000 square miles? Well, bigger than every state except Alaska at about 650,000 square miles.

Feb 23, 2025 3:32 AM in response to moduperstar

I don't want to do anything with starlink. I upgrade my phone every other year, but this could be the last time I own an apple device. I lost my second set of airpods pro yesterday and I was going to replace them today, but after reading this, no thank you.

pogster

Level 5

5,123 points

Feb 23, 2025 3:43 AM in response to Alejandro747

Alejandro747 wrote:

I don't want to do anything with starlink. I upgrade my phone every other year, but this could be the last time I own an apple device. I lost my second set of airpods pro yesterday and I was going to replace them today, but after reading this, no thank you.

You didn't read anything in this thread did you? You didn't even read anything on this page but yet you complain. Sad.

molly39

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2025 4:11 AM in response to moduperstar

I refuse to have anything to do with Elon Musk and starlink. I will not be updating my phone, and if you make it not work? I, a lifetime Apple user who owns everything Apple has ever made, will switch to android. I refuse to be on the wrong side of history and am beyond disappointed that Apple seems to not care about where America is at currently and headed toward.

muguy

Level 10

91,166 points

Feb 23, 2025 5:20 AM in response to molly39

molly39 wrote:

I refuse to have anything to do with Elon Musk and starlink. I will not be updating my phone, and if you make it not work? I, a lifetime Apple user who owns everything Apple has ever made, will switch to android. I refuse to be on the wrong side of history and am beyond disappointed that Apple seems to not care about where America is at currently and headed toward.

Starlink access was on Android long before T-Mobile offered the option on iPhone. Updating your phone is always a good idea, especially for the security upgrades.

Feb 23, 2025 6:21 AM in response to moduperstar

If Apple is partnering in any way with Elon Musk, they've lost me as a customer. Period. And I bought my first Mac in the 90s. Have all Mac products now. That will not continue if they continue if this partnership does.

Feb 23, 2025 7:08 AM in response to maddene2003

maddene2003 wrote:

From Webster’s international dictionary. Third edition: “if conj. 1a in the event that : in case” Since you didn’t read past the first word.

At least I know you read my reply. But I have no clue what this has to do with the topic being discussed. Care to explain?

Feb 23, 2025 9:09 AM in response to Irishbookworm

Irishbookworm wrote:

I do not want my iPhone in any way connected to Musk or Starlink. If opting out is not possible, I will purchase an android phone asap!

GREAT IDEA! I guess you didn’t know that Android phones have had StarLink access for quite a while. So I guess it’s back to a dumb flip phone for you.

321ab7

Level 1

12 points

Feb 24, 2025 5:38 AM in response to moduperstar

I do not want Starlink or Elon Musk companies anywhere near my phone or personal information. If this happens no more Apple products. If they are hacking into the government treasury they will do it to Apple phones .!!!!!!

Feb 1, 2025 7:36 AM in response to moduperstar

The world freaked out when Apple downloaded a U2 album onto everyone’s iPhone's. Why is this not being publicized more?

Feb 2, 2025 8:04 AM in response to Zachyy

This is about Starlink coming out on all Apple iPhones in their latest update.

[Edited by Moderator]

Zachyy

Level 6

13,972 points

Feb 2, 2025 8:06 AM in response to Stricklandocasey

Stricklandocasey wrote:

This is about Starlink coming out on all Apple iPhones in their latest update.

I am well aware.

Feb 2, 2025 8:54 AM in response to moduperstar

I am thinking of selling my iPhone.. I have had iPhone since 3GS and also thinking of leaving T-Mobile .. been with them since Nextel/sorint.. I want nothing to do with Elon musk

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Opt out of Starlink coverage on iPhone?