Wondering if your phone can access T-Mobile’s cellular Starlink service? The satellite-to-phone capability supports at least 50 device models and counting, with some notable omissions.
In a Super Bowl commercial this weekend, T-Mobile invited all US users—including those from AT&T and Verizon—to test its cellular Starlink service from SpaceX, which promises to end mobile dead zones. The technology harnesses a growing constellation of over 400 satellites to beam the data to phones on the ground; no special equipment required.
Interested users can sign up on T-Mobile’s website, which is offering the beta program for free until July, when the carrier begins to sell the service. T-Mobile is rolling out invites to beta testers on a first-come, first-served rolling basis, so you probably won’t receive access immediately. The company is trying to bring in new testers gradually, without straining the satellite capacity.
(Credit: T-Mobile)
If you do receive an invite, you’ll then need the right phone. In a support document, T-Mobile published an official list, which confirms the cellular Starlink service works on handsets as old as the Samsung Galaxy S21, a product that launched in January 2021. But there are some omissions, including no support for 2023’s Google Pixel 8, Motorola phones from beyond last year, or any devices from OnePlus or Xiaomi.
Apple
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Apple iPhone 14
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Apple iPhone 14 Plus
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Apple iPhone 14 Pro
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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Apple iPhone 15
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Apple iPhone 15 Plus
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro
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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Apple iPhone 16 Plus
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Motorola
Samsung
T-Mobile
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T-Mobile REVL 7 5G
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T-Mobile REVL 7 Pro 5G
If your phone isn’t on the list, T-Mobile plans on expanding the device support over time, which requires smartphone manufacturers to update their phone certifications with the FCC.
T-Mobile users who’ve already been invited to the beta say they were automatically onboarded, with the carrier sending them an SMS text. But if you’re a user on AT&T, Verizon, or another carrier, then your device needs to be unlocked to access the cellular Starlink service.
Carriers often sell locked phones to prevent consumers from violating their contracts, and immediately using the device on a rival network. Fortunately, carriers such as Verizon and US Cellular will automatically unlock such phones after 60 and 120 days, respectively. But the process can sometimes be a hassle for AT&T customers.
The unlocking is necessary since T-Mobile plans on distributing the Starlink access to phones on other carriers through a downable eSIM. So essentially, the phone will have access to two mobile networks: the ground-based “terrestrial” carrier and the space-based network from Starlink.
However, the Starlink access will only activate if your phone ends up in a cellular dead zone, which are usually found in rural and remote areas. T-Mobile has published a map of where users can expect the Starlink satellite connectivity to work.
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(Credit: T-Mobile)
The other key limitation is that the cellular Starlink access only supports SMS text messages, though SpaceX plans on adding support for images over SMS, voice and video calling, and internet downloads over time.
In a support document, T-Mobile adds: “During the beta phase, 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.” When your phone does connect to the cellular Starlink satellite, then the device should display the word “SAT” or a satellite icon, and the network name “T-Mobile SpaceX.”
Once the beta ends in July, subscribers with T-Mobile’s most premium plans, including Go5G Next and Go5G Next 55+, will receive the satellite access as a free perk. Those on other T-Mobile plans will be charged $15 per month per line, though if you sign up before March 1, you’ll get an Early Adopter Discount at $10 per month when it launches in July.
Consumers on AT&T, Verizon, and other carriers will need to pay $20 per month per line.
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About Michael Kan
Senior Reporter
