T-Satellite support for T-Mobile for Business

Things to know

T-Satellite performance may vary based on factors such as your location and the number of customers accessing the service. To enjoy the best possible experience, we recommend using the service outdoors with a clear view of the sky.

• Coverage may not be available on airplanes, inside buildings, and other places with an obstructed view of the sky.
• Coverage can be impacted by topography (e.g. mountains, canyons, tree cover, etc.)
• Due to ongoing regulatory coordination, there may be some areas in some states that do not have coverage.
• Whenever available, your device will prioritize connecting to T-Satellite for the best experience.
  • Apple iPhone: If you see signal bars, the word ‘SAT,’ and the network name ‘T-Mobile SpaceX,’ you are connected to T-Satellite.
  • Android: If you see a satellite icon and the network name ‘T-Sat+Starlink or T-Mobile SpaceX,’ you are connected to T-Satellite.

Coverage availability

• T-Satellite currently covers the Continental US, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and parts of southern Alaska.
• Check out our coverage map to see where T-Satellite satellite coverage is available. We are also collaborating with our global roaming partners and SpaceX to offer satellite services to our customers when traveling abroad or in international waters in the future.

Message delays

Messages may take longer – Your phone will continue to try to resend the message until it is successfully sent or fails. If the message fails, you will be notified of a failed message and prompted to attempt to resend.

Your feedback is invaluable in helping us identify pain points and optimize the experience. There are two easy ways to provide feedback:

• You’ll receive a text survey within a few days of your connection to a satellite
• You can send feedback at any time using our T-Life app. Open the app and lightly shake your device, which will bring up a help menu.
  • Select Report an Issue
  • Select T-Satellite
  • Select the appropriate category
  • Provide your feedback
• If you're trying to share feedback through the T-Life app while connected to T-Satellite, you may see a "no internet connection" message. Don’t worry! You can still submit your feedback, and it will be sent once you're connected to the T-Mobile cellular network.

Here is a list of devices that are currently compatible with T-Satellite. Some non-T-Mobile device variants are not satellite capable.

Apple

Google

Motorola

Samsung

T-Mobile

T-Mobile has begun to roll out satellite handset data on eligible devices as apps become available! Satellite data lets your phone use satellite optimized apps while connected to satellite service. We’re working with app developers to optimize as many apps as possible, starting with essential apps like maps, weather, messaging and more. See our list of supported apps below for more details.

Things to Know

• Satellite networks work differently—performance will likely vary compared to traditional networks and brief service interruptions can happen. This isn’t high speed data, but it’s built for what matters most off grid.
• Make sure to download supported apps before heading into satellite coverage.
• Keep your phone and apps updated for the best experience.
• Some app functionality may be different or not available on satellite.
• No web browsing or video streaming is available over T-Satellite handset data.
• If you already have T-Satellite, there are no extra charges or sign-up needed—just connect and go! Head on over to our T-Satellite page to learn more about the service!

Satellite data apps
A growing list of apps are optimized for T-Satellite, with more on the way! If you already have one of the apps below, make sure you have the latest update before heading into satellite coverage.

When you are in an area without traditional or roaming cellular services, your satellite-optimized device will automatically connect to the T-Satellite network. Manually selecting the T-Satellite network will not work while other cellular connection options are available. When connected to T-Satellite, your device will display "T-Sat+Starlink or T-Mobile SpaceX" at the top-left side of your screen.

The priority order of networks:

• T-Mobile Network
• Roaming Partner Networks
• T-Mobile Satellite
• OEM Satellite (if phone supports, and there is no signal from 1,2, or 3 present)

To send a text message while connected to T-Satellite, simply send texts as you usually would from your device.

• Messages may take longer to send.

Sending text messages to 911 Emergency Services

• To reach 911, enter '911' in the recipient field to connect with an emergency operator.
• Your location is automatically shared with 911 to help first responders locate you quickly.
• If calling 911, your device will search for an available network. If none are available, Starlink’s satellite emergency messaging service will be used.

Android OS

1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Open a new/existing google message thread.
3. Select the '+' icon.
4. Select the Location icon. The one-time location URL is sent to the recipient.

Apple iOS
Through iMessage

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Open a conversation or start a new message.
3. Tap the Apps button.
4. Tap Location.
5. Tap the Pin icon.
6. Tap Send Pin.
7. Tap Send.

Through SMS/MMS (non-Apple phones)

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Open a conversation or start a new message.
3. Tap the Apps button.
4. Tap Location.
5. Tap Send Pin.

1. Make sure you have the most recent version of the optimized application installed.
2. Open the supported T-Satellite Handset Data application listed above.
3. Follow any directions provided by the Application provider regarding available T-Satellite functionality.

• If you are not already enjoying T-Satellite services can add the free Text-to-911 to your existing lines of service through:
  • Account Management Portals
  • T-Life
  • Account Hub
• This free Text-to-911 feature will not enable T-Satellite Messaging or -Satellite Data capability. Customers who already have T-Satellite service, bundled with an existing plan or added as an additional service, automatically have access to Text-to-911 with no additional actions required.

Placing a text to 911 via T-Satellite is just like sending a normal text message.

1. Pull up the phone’s native messaging application.
2. Enter the message.
3. Enter 911 in the phone number field.
4. Select Send.

iOS Development for Satellite

• Requires iOS 26.0+.
• Must configure app for ultra-constrained networks using Apple’s Configuring your app for ultra-constrained networks guide.
• Apps not configured for this setting will not have data access while in satellite mode.
• Developers must assign the correct appcategory entitlement for data access by category.
• Lightweight, asynchronous use cases may need minimal changes; real-time or media-heavy apps are generally unsuitable.
• Strong in-app communication helps set user expectations around performance.

Android Development for Satellite

• Requires SDK 35 or higher (SDK 36 recommended).
• Reference: Develop for constrained satellite networks on Android Developers.
• Background data is disabled in satellite mode; foreground services continue normally.
• Satellite mode displays a satellite icon in the status bar (persists briefly through short coverage gaps).

Satellite settings path

Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > T-Mobile SIM > Satellite Connectivity > Supported Apps

If this section is missing, update device firmware. Menu locations may vary by OEM.

Library Development: If you are developing libraries, do not include the satellite tag in your library. The host app should determine and declare its own satellite readiness.

Q: Do I need to update my app?
 Yes. Apps must gracefully handle low bandwidth, latency, and intermittent coverage.

Q: What types of apps perform best?
 Lightweight async apps (messaging, chatbots, basic posting). Real-time or high-throughput apps (VoIP, video) perform poorly.

Q: What happens if my app isn’t satellite-optimized?
 It may fail to send or receive data when on satellite networks. Apps not configured for constrained environments may appear offline.

Q: What features should be avoided?
 Avoid high-throughput or jitter-sensitive features (e.g., live video, large uploads). Disable auto-sync on satellite.

Q: What’s the estimated development effort?
The level of effort depends on your app’s design and complexity. Many apps can be adapted in a few weeks by updating network handling and caching logic, while more data-intensive or real-time apps may require additional work. Consult the Android and iOS developer documentation for platform-specific guidance.

Q: Are background transfers supported?

• Android: Background data is disabled in satellite mode.
• iOS: Use background task APIs (BGAppRefreshTask, BGProcessingTask) with explicit user consent and constraints.

Q: Do I need T-Mobile certification before publishing?
No. Apps do not require prior T-Mobile certification.

Q: Can I use “Works with T-Satellite” branding?
Any branding or association with T-Mobile (including phrases like “supports T-Satellite”) requires approval via [email protected].

Q: What are the prerequisites for testing?

• A device that supports T-Satellite data.
• A T-Mobile physical SIM or eSIM in the primary slot.
• A T-Mobile account provisioned for T-Satellite Data Service.

Q: How can I verify my device’s satellite settings (Android)?
 Follow this path:Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > T-Mobile SIM > Satellite Connectivity > Supported Apps. If unavailable, update your device firmware.

Q: How can I validate that my app supports satellite?

• On Android, “Supported Apps” under Satellite Connectivity lists all satellite-ready apps.
• On iOS, validate via entitlements and attachment APIs.

Recommended devices: You can view the current list of supported devices above under the Eligible devices section.

Q: Where is T-Satellite coverage available?
Available across the Continental U.S., including Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and parts of southern Alaska. Check out T-Mobile Coverage Map.

Q: How should I test?
The best way to test is on the live network. To plan for the best outdoor location near you to test, please reference the T-Mobile Coverage Map to find an area without T-Mobile coverage. Zooming into the coverage map will show areas of satellite coverage. Testing outdoors ensures the best connection to our satellites which are 200+ miles away!

Q: Do HTTPS requests work?
Yes. The constrained network is not limited to any specific protocol, including HTTPS. You can use standard internet protocols such as HTTPS, MQTT, WebSockets, or custom APIs, when they are implemented and optimized for low-bandwidth, high-latency environments.

Q: Do push notifications work?
Yes. Both Apple Push Notification service (APN) and Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) are supported on the constrained network. The network does not restrict specific services or protocols, including these push notification frameworks. If your app uses Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) to receive messages from an app server, you can indicate that a specific message should be delivered even on constrained networks by including the bandwidth_constrained_ok flag when passing the message to the FCM server. Check out Develop for constrained satellite networks | Connectivity | Android Developers for more information.

Q: How can I validate connectivity in my app?
Use small test requests (e.g., 2 KB POST), check bearer state transitions, and log connectivity status. Android and iOS APIs can report attachments to satellites.

Q: Can users control satellite connectivity?
Yes. iOS and Android allow users to manage satellite data permissions via app-level settings.

Q: Should I notify users when on satellite?
Yes. Always inform users with banners, icons, or mode indicators. Do not imply standard cellular performance.

Q: What are user expectations for satellite connectivity?
Users may assume cellular-like speed. Developers should clearly communicate performance and usage expectations through UI cues.

Best Practices:

• Satellite mode banners/icons
• Low-bandwidth mode toggle
• Deferred actions with clear user feedback
• Disable heavy sync and auto-uploads in satellite mode

Logging Guidance: Capture bearer type (satellite/terrestrial), retry counts, payload size, and latency metrics.

Success Criteria:

• App degrades gracefully under satellite conditions.
• Clear satellite indicator and visible messaging.