T-Mobile just made its satellite service a lot more useful for people who venture into areas with no cell coverage. The carrier announced it’s expanding T-Satellite to work with popular apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, X, and AllTrails, moving beyond the text-only capabilities it launched with earlier this year.
As announced by T-Mobile, this expansion means you can now do things like video chat on WhatsApp, check trail maps, get weather updates, and scroll through social media even when you’re completely off the grid. The service is powered by more than 650 Starlink satellites orbiting overhead.
The most impressive addition is WhatsApp support, which now allows voice calls, video chats, and group conversations over satellite. That’s a significant step up from just sending texts. Other supported apps include AccuWeather for weather forecasts, several onX outdoor apps for hunters and hikers, and CalTopo for mapping.
The service works automatically—your phone switches to satellite when it loses cellular signal, as long as you have a clear view of the sky. T-Mobile started T-Satellite with just messaging and emergency text-to-911 service, but the company said customer response has been strong, including stories of the service helping in rescue situations.
T-Satellite is included free with T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan, while other customers can add it for $10 per month. The service works on most recent iPhones and Android devices running current software. You don’t need to point your phone at the sky or launch a special interface—it connects automatically when needed.
Keep in mind that satellite speeds won’t match your regular 5G connection. Data speeds are limited and apps may work differently than on traditional networks. T-Mobile says apps are optimized to deliver essential features rather than the full experience you’d get on regular cellular.