Blocking Starlink access in iOS 18.3

Zachyy wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

Booboo1111 wrote:

I refuse to update and just ordered my first Chinese phone. I trust them with my data more than Elonia and Google, and other USA tech oligarchs.

OK. No one here really cares what you use as your cell phone. But you have most assuredly made a decision based on MISINFORMATION - MYTH and FEAR. Read this --> The Starlink Myth - Apple Community

Excellent job on that User Tip lobsterghost1!

Thank you Zachyy! Not that it will change the minds of people who simply refuse to understand this, but it's easier to post as opposed to trying to reason with people who don't listen to reason.

Newmansmama wrote:

I refuse to update my new phone until they do not automatically add Starlink. I have always used Apple products, but now I’m going to have to take my business elsewhere. I will not stand for teaming up with criminals.

So you chimed in without reading past the first post. If this is an important issue to you, read the thread. You like so many have simply jumped to the WRONG conclusion. And we don't care who you take your business to. This is a user to user only forum. But just who might that be? Samsung? Google? NOPE: They've had access to Starlink through T-Mobile far longer than through T-Mobile on iPhone.

If you aren't willing to arm yourself with facts, do as you want. Maybe read this and you'll see that your idle threat was a waste of your time --> The Starlink Myth - Apple Community

On a final note, great idea not updating your phone. By not doing so, you have left yourself vulnerable to 30 threats the update removes. And you still WON'T have Starlink on your phone.

jeneanfarris wrote:

Point remains… Many folks are skeptical of anything that apartheid techno-brat oligarch grifter touches. If Apple just enabled some hardware/software needed to connect to starlink only, that’s highly concerning. If it can connect to any satellite not limited to starlink / only limited by carrier, then sure that’s fine — if it’s actually optional. 

We know Apple devices can be tracked even when location is disabled and when phone is off.. and often, not all features that facilitate surveillance without consent are fully advertised to public. Also sneaking in Apple intelligence (forced on us through the update), and not giving a heads up is also suspect. And the CEO donating a million $ to the pres inauguration party to signal compliance with an authoritarian regime is also highly concerning. People have reason to be concerned. That is the point. And they don’t want more of their private info stolen by apartheid techno-brat billionaire oligarchs. 

Folks may be somewhat misinformed about how this satellite service works, but a lot of the folks getting lost in semantics here are missing the bigger sentiment and message. However, the clarity is appreciated and I’m sure folks get it now from you and several others sharing the same explanation. 

The bigger message that might be getting lost is that people are pushing back on anything possibly associated with starlink / musk or his rich buddies. Hopefully Apple gets that larger message. 

Said as simply as possible. Why or what message does Apple need to get here? They HAVE NOT partnered with Starlink. They have NO NEED to partner with Starlink. Send the message you want heard to who has partnered with Starlink, which in the U.S., is T-Mobile. And posting here on this user to user only forum, which with the exception of Moderators, who monitor these threads for adherence to the Terms of Use for this forum, does NOT get any message to Apple anyway. Pushing back, as you suggest is a wasted effort here, when the pushback doesn't make it to Apple, who again, HAS NOT partnered with Starlink.

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Well. I strongly suggest that you DO update to 18.3 immediately. You are at much greater risk from the existential 28 security vulnerabilities that 18.3 blocks than you are from a hypothetical risk from a feature that most iPhone can’t even have, and that is off by default on those few iPhones that are eligible.

Performative complaints about Mr. Musk are so much more fun!

Bluexeyes1025 wrote:

I feel morally obligated to be responsible with who I allow to make a profit off of me. I refuse to allow Elon Musk to make a profit. He profits because he is a major shareholder of SpaceX, who owns Starlink. My morals do not align with Elon Musks behavior and business practices. If many of us refuse to download 18.3, it sends a powerful message to Apple. Apple could possibly then reevaluate if it would continue to be profitable to partner with Starlink. I’m not super concerned about data privacy, thats long gone, but I am concerned about who uses said data for a profit. Sadly, we don’t have much control over that either, but this action makes me feel a little bit more in control over my personal life and boundaries. Simply said, I don't want anything this person has created sitting in my pocket. We pay a lot for our phones, and I think we should have the option to permanently opt out. Ive lived this long without satellite on my phone, and honestly just getting a sat phone and paying for that plan sounds so much more reliable to me.

Hope this helps you understand where I am coming from ☺️

I understand you don't understand this at all. Apple has NOT partnered with Starlink. Let me repeat: Apple has NOT partnered with Starlink. T-Mobile has. If you want someone to understand your issue with this, then why are you telling other users on a user to user only forum, who haven't partnered with anyone. But more importantly, complaining about Apple partnering with someone they most certainly have NOT partnered with. Complain to T-Mobile if you are their customer. And if you aren't T-Mobiles customer, you're complaining over absolutely nothing. You won't have Starlink access unless you pay T-Mobile for cellular service. And even if you pay T-Mobile for service, you'd have to OPT-IN to the Starlink Beta connection.

If you don't understand this important distinction between T-Mobile's partnership with Starlink, they there's really nothing more to say.

Bex1981 wrote:

If they proceed with this, then we as a family wont be replacing any of out devices with apple. Sad times ! Apple should be actively distancing themselves from musk not getting into bed with him. Given the scale of apple the could and should develop their own technology to do the same job

So, what will you be replacing your devices with? Android? Nope. Android has had this for a while, which means no Samsung or Google phones. And are you a T-Mobile customer in the US? If you aren't, why would this be an issue for you? Starlink, which by the way is Opt-In through beta currently, is ONLY available to T-Mobile customers. Apple has NOT, partnered with Starlink. T-Mobile has. And all Apple has done is provide a path for T-Mobile customers to get on Starlink IF they Opt-In.

Adrieeee wrote:

We all want to know how to block starlink in IOS 18.3? Do we need to move away from iPhones and everything Apple altogether? We definitely didn't sign up for this!

Why not read the thread and learn about this? Knowledge is a beautiful thing. But sure, you can run right now to Android, but wait.......Android has had this before Apple and Apple didn't partner with Starlink. But if you took the time to read this thread, you'd already know this and also know you have to Opt-In and you can ONLY Opt-In if you're a T-mobile customer in the US.

You are operating under false assumptions.

Apple uses GlobalStar to provide SOS Satellite service. Apple is approximately a 20% owner having invested over $500 M.

AT&T is partnered with AST SpaceMobile for their service and they’ve invested $100’s of millions also.

Verizon has partnered with Inmarsat (Verizon owns Inmarsat) and Skylo for cellular and emergency services.

Starlink exclusively uses the 5G N51 band for cellular communications. Only T-Mobile can offer that band in the US.

All iOS 18.3 did was add provisions for T-Mobile customers to opt into the beta testing of Starlink.

If you’re a T-Mobile subscriber please contact T-Mobile’s support team for additional information and assistance.

Apple did not pick Starlink. T-Mobile picked Starlink. T-Mobile subscribers will have the ability to use sign up and use Starlink once it’s out of beta testing. T-Mobile recently added the ability for iPhone users to opt into the beta testing of Starlink.

Apple is still using Starglobal for SOS services. Verizon customers will be using Inmarsat (wholly owned by Verizon) and Skylo. AT&T is part owner AST SpaceGlobal and will be offering there services.

T-Mobile will have exclusive use of Starlink.

Choices_Matter wrote:

Apple is pushing the update to everyone, regardless of whether they are T-Mobile customers or not.

I get that you’re frustrated but the simple fact is people like having a choice and being informed. Many trusted Apple and didn’t like finding out their iPhones are now ready and able to use starlink.

Don’t know why expressing dislike for the fact that this wasn’t disclosed and included in a security update irritates some people so much.

Apple hasn’t pushed ANYTHING having to do with Starlink to iPhone. Go to settings and search for Starlink. Do you see it anywhere? It is T-Mobile that said they could only support Starlink in iOS 18.3.

There are no changes that Apple can make. Apple has not partnered with Starlink. T-Mobile is offering the service to their subscribers and it doesn’t matter the brand of cellphone. So, Apple iPhone owners, Samsung phone owners etc. will have access to the service if they are a T-Mobile subscriber.

If you’re a t-mobile subscriber consider switching to AT&T or Verizon. But will be offering satellite service from different providers in the near future.

We don’t know, currently they have not come out with a way to unenroll. What we do know is that the Starlink Satellite connection is currently only for T-Mobile customers that exclusively joined the beta testing.

xrayman394 wrote:

Thanks!

I strongly suggest NOT updating to 18.3 until we know more, we must try and learn more about this before upgrading.

Well. I strongly suggest that you DO update to 18.3 immediately. You are at much greater risk from the existential 28 security vulnerabilities that 18.3 blocks than you are from a hypothetical risk from a feature that most iPhone can’t even have, and that is off by default on those few iPhones that are eligible.

Starlink has partnered with a small group of select cellular carriers worldwide. Here’s the list,

T-Mobile — USA

KDDI — Japan

OPTUS — Australia

One BZ — New Zealand

Salt — Switzerland

Entel — Chili and Peru

Rodgers — Canada

Now what country are you in and who’s your carrier? If it’s not one of the above then what is your point?

Nothing is affecting you or your iPhone. The vast majority of the major carriers have already partnered with other satellite services. Stop being so morally outraged over something that doesn’t affect you.

On the odd chance you are subscribing to one of the above, switch carriers and move on with your life.

tarlink has partnered with a small group of select cellular carriers worldwide. Here’s the list,

T-Mobile — USA

KDDI — Japan

OPTUS — Australia

One BZ — New Zealand

Salt — Switzerland

Entel — Chili and Peru

Rodgers — Canada

Now what country are you in and who’s your carrier? If it’s not one of the above then what is your point?

Nothing is affecting you or your iPhone. The vast majority of the major carriers have already partnered with other satellite services.