Blocking Starlink access in iOS 18.3

Moran Moraine wrote:

I do almost none of those things because I care about privacy—just the non-optional ones. No smart-gadgets, no FindMyPhone, no public wifi without a VPN. But I am not a techie so I have to depend on and learn from those who are. I’m afraid we as consumers have little choice and the privacy war was lost 25 years ago. Unfortunately. Tech didn’t have to be this way.

Using VPN actually reduces your online security. Even with public WiFi.

CJRules wrote:

Just turned off my automatic updates…not doing this one until I know I can block starlink access.

Are you a T-Mobile customer? If no, there's nothing to block. It's OPT-IN ONLY for T-Mobile.

cedrickmccallom wrote:

I am an att user .

In which case it does not affect you AT ALL.

Please stop feeding the paranoia.

I posted this in another thread on the subject. PLEASE take a moment to read it and at least try to understand the reality of the situation.

Apple didn’t implement anything “in secret”.

Let’s get this straight once and for all. Apple is including the ability to make calls via satellite into iOS. This is a standards based protocol.

Apple is NOT partnering with Starlink. The carriers are free to partner with whatever satellite service providers they like.

So far, T-Mobile is the only carrier that’s implemented this in ANY way. it is currently in beta. T-Mobile has chosen Starlink as their satellite partner. If you don’t like it, don’t use T-Mobile or don’t join their beta program.

Even if you do opt into the service it does NOT give Starlink or Elon Musk access to your phone. Just as using AT&T or Verizon for cellular service does not give them access to your phone. The service provider, whether it’s cellular, satellite, or WiFi carries the traffic and routes it from one place to another. That’s all.

Please stop it with the ridiculous paranoia.

This functionality is going to be included in pretty much every smart phone in the near future, whether it’s an iPhone, Android device, or something else.

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.

From Reddit: It allows for T-Mobile to provision your iPhone to be part of the beta on their network. It doesn’t download anything, if you’re not opted into the Starlink beta the network profile won’t be on your device.

CDG1978 wrote:

I am an AT&T customer, too, with an iPhone 12, and just blessedly happened across a Facebook post that this update would be installed tonight, and IMMEDIATELY went into my Settings and turned off automatic updates to avoid this one. I 100% agree that this should be an optional install for those who want it, but also a separated one from an update that has the regular bug fixes and all the other stuff that keeps a phone running optimally and protected from viruses or what have you. Why should we be left to those chances just to avoid something invasive (well, more invasive than we are used to...and that makes my skin crawl) we don't want on our phones? I HATE how so much of our privacy is being taken away bit by bit so quickly now. It's scary and angers me. And I don't trust Elon Musk as far as I could punt him off a cliff...and I'm a small 5'3 female with a knee replacement so that should tell you how far he would go. This is just WRONG.

Good for you. But AT&T isn't partnered with Starlink. Apple isn't partnered with Starlink. T-Mobile IS partnered with Starlink. Since you're not a T-Mobile customer, there is NO WAY your iPhone can connect with Starlink. AT&T doesn't and isn't likely going to use Starlink. AT&T uses AST SpaceMobile for satellite communications, which has NOTHING to do with Starlink. So you've accomplished nothing by stopping updates. Your phone won't and can't be connected to Starlink. And by avoiding updates, you're leaving yourself vulnerable to at least 29 threats which were fixed in iOS 18.3. I don't even believe an iPhone 12 is capable of using Satellite communications, so you're reacting to something which simply cannot impact you in any way.

It's not a great idea to base your technology decisions based on posts on Facebook.

just blessedly happened across a Facebook post

Facebook? You can find posts there that "prove" that the earth is flat, among other ridiculous tales.

Please think about the source of your "information" if you want to make any kind of informed decisions.

Luckily it won’t be long till ots every carrier including the worlds carriers very excited for this feature. Ever since gps calling and texting became a feature I’ve wanted this. Tim is a genius for doing this. I want more !!!! No more low data spots

Bex1981 — You haven’t read enough to make an informed assessment. 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 — Chile and Peru

Rodgers — Canada

In addition, the band Starlink is using for the service is N51. In the US only T-Mobile and Google Fi use that band.

Now what country are you in and who’s your carrier? If it’s not one of the above then you wont be able to connect to Starlink and Starlink can’t connect to your iPhone.

The vast majority of the major carriers have already partnered with other satellite services. AT&T and Verizon have partnered with other services. On the odd chance you are subscribing to one of the above carriers, switch carriers.

You’ll need to obtain a copy of T-Mobile’s privacy statement. Once you start using T -Mobile’s satellite service, you’re data is under their terms and conditions and privacy protection (or lack there of). Apple doesn’t have a dog in that race.

MikeMancini wrote:

Given that privacy is deeply associated with the Apple brand, has Apple itself made a clear statement about how it may intend to prevent Starlink from breaching data in situations where at least some data travels across Starlink technology?

You're looking for information from the wrong source. Apple isn't partnered with Starlink. T-Mobile is. If you're not a customer of T-Mobile, nor signed in to the current Beta testing program, there is no way, your data could be breached at all. You simply won't have any path to Starlink on your phone. And has already been posted multiple times in this thread, Apple doesn't use Starlink for Satellite communications. They use GlobalStar, of which Apple owns 20%.

Kelp1973 wrote:

I’m holding on updating. If I have to go android for the first time ever, I will. Apple MUST make this optional.

Maybe you should read the thread, to learn how disappointed you will be when you go Android and find out Android has had T-Mobile Starlink before Starlink came to T-Mobile on iPhone. What would you actually accomplish? Again, knowledge is a good thing. Lack of knowledge, not such a good thing. Read the thread. You may find it enlightening, to say the least.

No, iOS 18.3 doesn't install Starlink on your iPhone, and it doesn't give Elon Musk's Starlink direct access to your phone. The update simply allows T-Mobile-connected iPhones to use the Starlink network when they're outside of traditional coverage, but only if you've opted into the beta and have been selected ¹.

To clarify, Starlink support is a T-Mobile network feature, not an iPhone or iOS 18.3 feature. Apple has partnered with Globalstar, not Starlink, for its Emergency SOS via Satellite service ² ¹.

If you're concerned about using Starlink, you can easily disable and re-enable it in the future. Here's how to block Starlink access on your iPhone:

To Disable Starlink: Go to Settings > Cellular > T-Mobile (or your carrier) > toggle off Satellite ².

Keep in mind that Starlink access is only available to T-Mobile customers who have joined the beta testing program. If you're not a T-Mobile customer or haven't joined the beta, you don't need to worry about Starlink access.

[Edited by Moderator]

Just stop. Every internet connection has a modem in between, a cable modem, a telephone modem, a cell modem. All of a sudden, you don’t think Elon is a brilliant guy, and now the fact that three years ago when you liked him, T-Mobile and him collaborated to set a certain hardware standard for cellular modems so they could pick up satellite signals, Which you are definitely Not paying the service for even if Apple iPhones support it, if you want it, you have to go to T-Mobile to pay for it, and since T-Mobile isn’t selling it to anyone but T-Mobile customers right now I really don’t think you have to worry about your day to day data switching to A paid service that currently only T-Mobile has and future companies may provide the service at an even higher price, and if your service provides it, then Apple will give you a way to turn it off, but there’s no activating it unless you have T-Mobile, stop freaking out about someone who decided to give Internet to the entire planet and a cell company that help them do it.