It’s no secret that modern smartphones are an incredible piece of technology that can help drivers in a range of situations, particularly if they’ve broken down.
While you wouldn't think twice to call for roadside assistance in city and urban conditions, calling for help in remote locations without – or with minimal – phone reception can be stressful, especially if your calls aren't getting through.
Thankfully, many new cars are sold with an emergency satellite SOS function that can alert authorities to a driver’s location in remote areas. But for drivers who own a vehicle without the safety function, what can you do? Here’s what you need to know.
How do you call roadside assistance in remote areas?
If you’ve broken down in a remote location with no phone service, modern smartphones, such as Apple iPhones and Google Pixels, are equipped with emergency satellite features that allow stranded drivers to call for help.
In the case of the Apple iPhone, the RACV – Victoria’s peak motoring body – has teamed up with the US electronics giant to offer roadside assistance through the phone’s satellite service.
From September 15, 2025, drivers who own an iPhone 14 or later models will be able to access RACV support if they’re stranded in locations “beyond mobile coverage”.
In situations where Wi-Fi or 5G isn’t a viable option, RACV said the caller can tap on the iPhone's 'Emergency SOS via Satellite' function before the phone sends through a questionnaire that captures "key details of their situation".
From there, the road authority stated that the stranded driver will be connected to a satellite, which then transmits the message to RACV, who will then facilitate the roadside assist.
It’s worth noting that RACV’s roadside assistance only applies to vehicles “located on or near a public road”, meaning off-road recovery is not provided.
The emergency satellite option will be included as a two-year free subscription “from the time of activation” and is open to both RACV members and non-members, with the latter still able to access the service “on a paid basis”.
Phil Turnbull, RACV’s executive general manager of insurance and roadside, said, “This innovation extends that safety net further than ever before”.
“Australia is a vast country, and a breakdown in a remote area without mobile reception can be incredibly stressful.
“Apple’s satellite feature is a game changer – this means Australians who would previously have been unreachable can now connect with RACV and get the support they need, when they need it most,” Turnbull said in a media statement.
Depending on the model, some iPhones have a 'call after severe crash' function, which can automatically call emergency services if the phone detects you've been in a car crash.
However, Apple states that the "iPhone cannot detect all crashes", meaning this feature might not always be active in the event of an accident.
For Android users, Google said the satellite SOS feature is available on the Pixel 9 range, which includes the Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold.
The feature works similarly to Apple’s, with stranded drivers who use an Android phone able to use the phone’s emergency satellite feature by tapping on the 'Satellite SOS' function.
Once activated, motorists need to answer an 'emergency questionnaire' before connecting to the satellite by following the on-screen prompts. The important Android safety feature alerts emergency services to the situation, as well as any listed emergency contact.
Ethan Cardinal graduated with a Journalism degree in 2020 from La Trobe University and has been working in the fashion industry as a freelance writer prior to joining Drive in 2023. Ethan greatly enjoys investigating and reporting on the cross sections between automotive, lifestyle and culture. Ethan relishes the opportunity to explore how deep cars are intertwined within different industries and how they could affect both casual readers and car enthusiasts.
