Apple launched its iPhone 15 series of smartphones on Tuesday, featuring notable hardware upgrades compared to previous models. One of the standout features introduced at the ‘Wonderlust’ launch event is the expansion of the ‘Emergency SOS via satellite’ functionality, previously seen in the iPhone 14 series. The new addition, called ‘Roadside Assistance via satellite’, allows iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 owners to seek help when their vehicles break down without cellular connectivity.

During the September launch event, Apple revealed the Roadside Assistance via satellite feature, highlighting its purpose to aid iPhone owners who encounter vehicle problems in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. The company has partnered with the American Automobile Association (AAA) to provide assistance in the United States. The service will be available even if customers do not possess a AAA membership, and pricing details will be displayed on the smartphone before AAA dispatches roadside help.

For the Roadside Assistance via satellite feature to function, users must be outdoors with an unobstructed view of the sky and horizon, similar to the requirements for the Emergency SOS via satellite feature introduced in the iPhone 14 series.

Apple’s support page specifies that to access the Roadside Assistance option in the absence of network coverage, users need to tap the New Message button and type “Roadside” in the address field. Following on-screen instructions and providing necessary details enables users to request help using the Roadside Assistance via satellite feature.

Currently, the feature is only available in the US, excluding the US Virgin Islands. However, international travelers in the US can also utilize the feature during their visit, unless their iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 was purchased in Armenia, Belarus, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Russia.

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