Blocking Starlink access in iOS 18.3

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.

What part of AT&T is not partnered with Starlink, as has been said multiple times in this thread, isn't understandable? It's even been explained who AT&T uses for Satellite Service and it's NOT Starlink. Apple let T-Mobile who IS partnered with Starlink the ability to let T-Mobile customers and ONLY T-Mobile customers who want to OPT-IN to the beta test of Starlink. Apple isn't forcing Starlink on anyone. I honestly do not understand why this is so hard for anyone to understand?

theresafromedgewater — 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.

Apple uses GlobalStar for SOS communication. Once a day it pings the service for general satellite positioning to enable you iPhone to effectively locate and track satellites on a day to day basis if you activate the SOS service.

Starlink is not using the Satellite connection you’re referring to. T-Mobile is using the N51 band for satellite service. it is a 5G band in the 1427–1432 MHz wavelength. Unless you have T-Mobile service your iPhone can’t connect at that wavelength.

Apple can’t control the actions of carriers. I understand the disappointment and frustration. Apple has no plans for Starlink. They own 20+% of GlobalStar the system offering current SOS services on iPhones.

But if the FCC issues the necessary licenses to Starlink and T-Mobile has the license for the wavelength they’re using, there is little Apple can do.

crista70 wrote:

I wish I had.

Yes, if you had not updated your phone would not be protected from 30 security vulnerabilities, which would have been a much greater risk than not updating. Perhaps this might set your mind at rest: The Starlink Myth - Apple Community

This is a complicated issue. While Apple is touting new satellite services, there are many other satellites besides Starlink. Apple has not announced any integrations with Starlink. But that doesn't mean that Apple devices won't work with Starlink now or in the future.

Apple's published documentation for Connecting to a satellite with your iPhone does not mention Starlink, but it does specifically say that Apple's satellite services are provided by "third-party network providers". So that could obviously include Starlink.

Furthermore, that same documentation specifically says that, "During certain disaster situations, your carrier may provide cellular connectivity to iPhone models using their satellite capability even if you have turned them off for everyday use and “SAT” doesn’t appear in the status bar." So you may be connected via Starlink and never know about it.

I understand that some people may not want to have any association with Starlink because of recent political events or because of Starlink's status as a military asset. If you have concerns, please send feedback to Apple. I also encourage you to send feedback to your cellular data provider as well. This kind of feedback could give Apple and other companies incentive to choose other providers for satellite services.

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.

They are not automatically adding starling. Just like they are not automatically adding AT&T or Verizon or Tmobile or any other carrier. Just like the radio in your car does not "automatically add" the right wing talk radio station in your city. Please stop it with the paranoia.

MickiF wrote:

Might be time to move to a Samsung… I want nothing to do with Leon. Did Apple announce this somewhere, and I missed it???

If you read the posts you will discover that this is a T-Mobile initiative and requires opting in to a beta test. Samsung already has this feature.

Acer13 wrote:

Yes, and I agree. I went into an Apple Store this Saturday to ask this question and they gave me “incomplete” info, assuring me that Apple was not using StarLink at this time. Well, not true. I have been using Apple products since 1985 and this is the first time I am seriously thinking of trading in my IPhone and IPad.

Apple gave you correct information. Apple is NOT using Starlink. Apple has no need to use Starlink. T-Mobile is using Starlink. But sure, trade in your iPhone and iPad (iPad couldn't connect to Starlink if you wanted it to) and hop on over to whoever you want. But be advised Android, has had access to Starlink THROUGH T-MOBILE for some time now.

Read this if you'd actually like to learn something --> The Starlink Myth - Apple Community

xrayman394 wrote:

iPhone v18.3 will give Elon Musk's Starlink access to our phones.

Is there any way to block, deactivate or opt out rather than just open access?

I suggest NOT updating until we learn more.

Starlink, like other secure communications methods, are end to end encrypted, so you are not giving anyone access to your phone (not even Elon Musk). As it is used by governments around the world for secure communications and military operations (including by Ukraine) iPhone user's piddling little messages are not at risk.

You might not want to use it if you don’t like Musk, like the people who won’t buy Teslas, and I respect that. But it is not a security issue.

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.

From T-Mobile:

Please follow these steps to disable Starlink on your device.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone after updating to iOS 18.3.

Visit Cellular > T-Mobile (or other carriers if added in the future)

Toggle off satellite support.

KidRockYou wrote:

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.

That run on sentence is very hard to parse.

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