Powered by 650+ Starlink Direct to Cell Satellites, T-Satellite customers can now use their phones to access essential off-the-grid apps like WhatsApp, AllTrails, AccuWeather, Google Maps, T-Life, X and more
T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) today announced a major expansion of T-Satellite with Starlink, bringing satellite data connectivity for popular apps to dozens more smartphones. Essential tools like app-based voice and video chat, mapping, weather and social media sharing, among others, are now part of the T-Satellite experience. That's right, just over two months after launching T-Satellite commercially with messaging, wireless users in the U.S. can now use apps on their phone in places never before thought possible.
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T-Satellite customers can now use their phones to access essential off-the-grid apps like WhatsApp, AllTrails, AccuWeather, Google Maps, T-Life, X and more
When we say "powering apps" we're talking about unleashing the most loved and cherished features of the app experience. In the case of WhatsApp, T-Satellite users can now use voice and video chat with other WhatsApp users over satellite. Even group chats! Let me say that again: People, with T-Satellite, you can now talk live, even video chat, and send voice memos to friends, family, co-workers, etal anywhere you can see the sky. Mind blown.
"The response from the first two months of T-Satellite commercial service has blown us away. We started with just text messaging and text-to-911, and those capabilities alone have proven to be invaluable for wireless users. We've heard story after story how T-Satellite is helping people in life-saving situations including a Girl Scout who fell into a canyon deep in the California wilderness and was rescued just hours later," said Mike Katz, President, Marketing, Innovation and Experience, T-Mobile. "Now we're taking it up a notch and bringing essential phone apps and services into the mix — giving people access to the apps they need most, in places they've never had a signal before. It's a game-changer for safety, peace of mind, and the freedom to stay connected virtually anywhere."
From AllTrails to WhatsApp
Satellite-ready apps are now a reality today – with support for even more OSes and apps being added seemingly every day! - opening new possibilities for staying connected in even the most remote locations.
T-Mobile has been working with dozens of app partners since announcing satellite data in June. These apps are built to deliver core experiences and critical services in environments where no traditional cell signal can reach. While the data experience may differ from the blazing fast 5G speeds of America's Best Network, when beyond the reach of any earthbound carrier tower, being able to stay connected to the formerly "outside world," by way of satellites in space, is an absolute game changer.
In addition to device native apps like Google Messages and Find Hub, Pixel Weather, Apple Music, Weather and Fitness and Samsung's Weather app, even more apps are now tuned for the T-Satellite experience:
- T-Life: The center of the T-Mobile customer experience now includes T-Satellite support. Customers can see and launch satellite-ready apps; share their location via SMS and can even chat live with a built-in helper to answer T-Satellite questions. T-Life puts the best of T-Mobile at customers' fingertips.
- AllTrails: Find your next hike with the world's most popular app for outdoor exploration. Discover and experience the perfect trail for you, from park strolls to mountain summits. Navigate and share your location in real-time. Join a community of more than 90 million trail-goers who hike, bike, and run more than 500,000 trails around the world. T-Satellite is currently supported for Android.
- AccuWeather: Never get caught unprepared. AccuWeather gives you hyper-local forecasts down to the minute, plus real-time storm alerts for your exact location. Track severe weather better, check the UV index and monitor air quality, so you can be better prepared and make the best weather-informed decisions, even with the slightest change in conditions.
- CalTopo: For the planners and explorers — CalTopo lets you build custom maps for your next hike, ski trip, or climb. Plot your route, track your location in real time, and stay safer with features like slope angle shading and wildfire activity layers. Share your maps with friends to keep your whole group on the same page.
- onX: Choose your adventure with onX's suite of apps — onX Backcountry, onX Hunt, onX Offroad, and onX Fish. Discover hiking trails, powder stashes, camp sites, public and private property boundaries, two-track and single track, and lakes teeming with fish. Explore the unknown with confidence, and be able to adapt on the fly, even when far away from cell service, with real-time weather conditions, weather forecasts and animal movement predictions, powered by T-Satellite connectivity.
- X: Stay in the loop even in remote locations. With X, you can scroll trending topics, share updates, and join conversations from virtually anywhere. Post text, photos, GIFs, or videos — and even control when high-res media loads so you don't waste data but still see all the moments that matter.
- WhatsApp: With WhatsApp on T-Satellite, you can send messages including sending voice notes, sharing photos or even calling your entire group chat. Whether you're on a mountaintop, out in the desert, or stuck in a random dead zone at your kid's soccer game, you can still see faces, hear voices, and share updates securely. For emergency services, the best way is to text-to-911 via your device's native messaging service.
T-Satellite with Data for Businesses
In addition to consumer use cases, T-Mobile is extending the power of T-Satellite into business applications to deliver always-on connectivity across iOS and Android — automatically included with SuperMobile and T-Priority plans.
By bringing secure connectivity to environments where field teams have never before had access, T-Satellite is unlocking new business-first use cases and advancing mission-critical operations virtually everywhere.
Business and government organizations can start exploring these apps today, with even more on the way:
- Dialpad Dialpad is a leading AI-powered communications and agentic platform, turning every conversation into an opportunity and empowering businesses with AI that doesn't just assist, but acts. By incorporating T-Satellite within Dialpad's messaging platform, customers can now keep employees and teams connected during outages, emergencies, or in locations without terrestrial cellular coverage.
- FLORIAN: FLORIAN is an advanced incident command and accountability platform designed to enhance safety, coordination, and situational awareness. Originally designed for first responders, FLORIAN's capabilities can be leveraged in many private sector industries such as hospitality, logistics, and public works. Now with T-Satellite connectivity, personnel can connect even in the most remote or disaster-stricken areas.
- MultiLine: MultiLine provides secure communications, compliance capabilities, and robust integrations that differentiate it from typical communications platforms. Now available over T-Satellite, these features offer a key differentiator in government, healthcare, legal, finance and other regulated industries.
- T-Mobile Direct Connect: Your business communication is critical, and we have you covered with voice messages and Push-to-X messaging including pictures, videos, location sharing, and emergency alerts. Now, you can communicate and request help in areas beyond terrestrial mobile networks.
How To Use T-Satellite-Ready Apps
Using satellite-ready apps is just as simple as everything else on T-Satellite — because nothing about the connectivity experience changes for the customer. Just like with texting and emergency alerts, the phone automatically connects to the satellite network the moment a terrestrial signal drops. No special settings, no pointing your phone at the sky — it just works. That means when customers launch a satellite-ready app, it connects exactly as they expect, only now it offers critical services, rather than full data-heavy experiences, enabling it to continue working in places no cellular towers can reach.
Who It's For
Satellite data is built for everyone. Most satellite-capable devices running the latest software — like Android 16 or iOS 26 — can connect and use satellite data. A full list of satellite data-ready devices can be found here, with more on the way.
For T-Mobile customers, it's included at no extra charge in our best plans, while others (including AT&T and Verizon customers) can add it for just $10 a month.
T-Satellite isn't just for customers and businesses – it's also for developers looking to be among the first to keep their apps connected in a new era where off-the grid doesn't mean out of reach. To get your apps working connect with T-Mobile here: [email protected].
Texting & select satellite-ready apps with compatible device in most outdoor areas in the U.S. where you can see the sky. Satellite service, including text to 911, may be delayed, limited, or unavailable. Included with Experience Beyond plans or $10/mo.; auto renews monthly. Cancel anytime in T-Life App. Data speeds are limited and may not support all apps; performance varies and some apps may not function or may operate differently than on traditional cellular networks. Service may experience gaps or time-outs due to satellite coverage and network conditions. Unlimited use subject to these limitations. Best Mobile Network: Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data for 1H 2025. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) is America's supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile's customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com
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