An iPhone safety feature is getting a lot of praise after it helped rescue six skiers who were trapped in a deadly avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California. According to Newsweek, these survivors were able to use satellite messaging to reach emergency responders when their regular cell service completely failed them.
This particular avalanche was incredibly tragic, killing eight people and leaving one person still missing. Amidst this devastation, six others were found and pulled to safety after enduring hours in severe winter conditions, all thanks to their iPhones. The stranded skiers managed to communicate with authorities using Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature, which is a total game-changer when you’re out of cellular and Wi-Fi range.
Apple first rolled out Emergency SOS via satellite with the iPhone 14 lineup, and it’s available on supported models running iOS 16.1 or later. It’s specifically designed for those moments when you’re in remote areas and can’t get a signal from traditional networks. This satellite tool lets you text emergency services directly. The folks on Reddit have been particularly enthused about this feature.
It is an amazing rescue story
During the Lake Tahoe rescue, having that lifeline of communication between the trapped group and emergency personnel was absolutely critical. Rescuers ultimately located the group roughly 11 hours after the avalanche first struck.
Folks on Reddit, reacting to the rescue story, have been quick to point out that this feature alone justifies the price tag of a newer iPhone. One fan on Reddit declared, “This is probably the best feature the iPhone has ever added, possibly only behind fall detection in Apple Watches.” Another user completely agreed, stating, “This is the kind of feature that justifies the premium. Most people will never need it, but for the ones who do, it’s literally life-saving.”
Some people did have concerns. A comment stated: “The only worry is that it’s still planned to be a paid feature… which I think is completely wrong.” If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, Apple has some clear advice. First, call 911 or your local emergency services, even if your phone shows no service. If that fails, your iPhone will display an option to use Emergency Text via Satellite. You can tap “Report Emergency” and just follow the on-screen prompts.
Once you’re connected, your iPhone automatically shares crucial information with responders. This includes your exact location, elevation, your Medical ID if you’ve set it up, emergency contacts, your answers to a quick emergency questionnaire, and even your device’s battery level. Apple also suggests trying out the built-in demo beforehand (Settings > Emergency SOS). This will walk you through the satellite connection process, if it’s available in your region
Rescues often depend on the quick thinking of people or sheer resilience to save lives and get help from the authorities. This time, it was a smartphone that saved the day.
Published: Feb 25, 2026 07:52 am