Apple may soon collaborate with Elon Musk’s Starlink network to enhance its iPhone satellite connectivity, according to recent industry reports. The move would represent a significant shift from Apple’s current partner, Globalstar, which provides the satellite infrastructure behind iPhone emergency messaging features.
Sources suggest that Apple’s satellite ambitions could require faster, more expansive coverage — something Starlink’s growing constellation of low-orbit satellites could offer. While Apple and Musk have had a turbulent relationship, business priorities may ultimately push the two companies toward cooperation, much like Apple’s past partnerships with rivals such as Samsung.
Why Apple Might Make the Switch
SpaceX’s next-generation Starlink satellites reportedly support the same radio frequencies that Apple already uses for its satellite features. This compatibility could make a potential switch relatively smooth for Apple in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Globalstar has reportedly considered selling the company. Apple invested $1.1 billion in Globalstar but remains cautious about owning a carrier outright, as doing so could subject it to stricter telecommunications regulations.
Analysts note that Globalstar’s network may also lag behind Starlink in speed and performance. Starlink’s rapidly expanding fleet already accounts for roughly 60% of all active satellites in orbit, giving it a commanding lead in global coverage.
Musk’s Advantage and Apple’s Next Step
In 2022, Musk offered Apple a deal to use Starlink for iPhone satellite services, reportedly asking for $5 billion upfront and $1 billion annually. Apple declined, opting to develop its own system with Globalstar instead. But with Starlink’s superior reach and faster technology, Apple may now revisit that decision.
Starlink’s partnership with T-Mobile, already in beta for iPhone compatibility, shows how Musk’s satellite empire continues to grow. As Apple plans to expand into non-terrestrial 5G and broader satellite-based features, partnering with Starlink may become less a question of “if” and more a matter of “when.”
If Apple does make the switch, it could redefine global connectivity for iPhones — and bring two of the tech world’s biggest power players together in an unlikely alliance.
