Verizon Launches Free Satellite Messaging But Only for Select Phones

Starting today, Verizon is beaming into the satellite chat game—literally. If you’ve got a Google Pixel 9 or a Samsung Galaxy S25, you can now send and receive texts via satellite when you’re off the grid. The feature is completely free for Verizon users and works even if the person you're texting is on another carrier. This isn’t your typical SOS panic button either—think everyday texting with no bars needed. While Apple and T-Mobile are racing ahead with their own versions (Apple tucked theirs into iOS 18, and T-Mobile’s Starlink-powered version is still in beta),

Verizon’s rollout is happening now and will expand over the next two weeks. With big names like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all chasing satellite-powered connections, the 5G flex is looking a little old-school. The new status symbol? Sending a "where you at?" from the middle of nowhere.
Source.