Quiet but important: satellite connectivity becomes part of the smartphone
Samsung has published a list of apps that support direct satellite connection on compatible Galaxy smartphones. This is not just a technical option — a mechanism for increasing communication resilience in areas without mobile coverage, which has practical significance for Ukraine during the war and for remote communities.
Which apps will work via satellite
- Find My Mobile
- Google Maps
- Google Play Services
- Messenger (Facebook)
- Messages
- Samsung Account
- Samsung Find
- Samsung Health
- Weather
How to check if your phone supports the feature
Go to Settings → Connections → Satellite. If the section is missing — your device or region is not yet supported. In most markets satellite mode is available on the Samsung Galaxy S22 and newer models; in some countries the feature has also been introduced on select Galaxy A series devices.
“Satellite connectivity allows you to send critical messages where there is no network, but capabilities depend on the region and operators”
— SamMobile, technical publication
Partners and geographic limitations
Samsung implements this feature through local mobile operators that cooperate with satellite providers. According to official data, in Europe these are MasOrange, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone; in Japan — NTT Docomo, KDDI, Rakuten Mobile and SoftBank; in North America — AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Functionality varies by country: in some regions voice and data transfer are available, in others only text messaging or emergency communication is supported.
What this means for Ukraine
First, it’s another tool for ensuring connectivity in hard-to-reach areas and during infrastructure outages. Second, the emergence of such solutions in the mass market (Galaxy S22+) increases network resilience not only technically but also economically — manufacturers and operators see demand for backup communication channels. As a reminder, at the end of 2025 Starlink Direct to Cell for iPhone with iOS 26.2 became available in Ukraine — a sign that the market is rapidly integrating satellite services into the mobile ecosystem.
Brief conclusion
This is not magic but engineering reality: a satellite channel in a smartphone increases the chances of staying connected in critical situations. The next question is how quickly Ukrainian operators and the regulator will adapt rules and infrastructure so that this option becomes a real backup for people and services. Whether we are ready for this technically and legally — the answers will determine how useful the feature becomes in real life.
