Want to keep getting regular iPhone updates without Starlink

Apple has not partnered with Starlink. Currently, it’s only available on Android devices with T-Mobile. AT&T and Verizon have their own competing satellite services.

You’re putting the cart before the horse. Time to take a deep breath and not worry about things you have little to no control over.

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.

Are you a T-Mobile customer? If not, then there is no issue. T-Mobile are the ones partnering with Starlink, not Apple.

If you are a T-Mobile customer and want nothing to do with Starlink, switch carriers.