Did you know you can connect your mobile phone to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites? This is possible since July 15, thanks to a new feature called Starlink Direct-to-Cell, and it allows your phone to connect to space when there is no normal signal (like the one from cell towers).

This can be very useful if you are in a place where there is no coverage, like in the countryside, in the mountains, or in places where internet and Wi-Fi do not reach. For now, this technology only allows sending text messages and sharing your location with other people. But in the future, when the system improves, you will also be able to make calls and use mobile data, although that is not active yet. Let’s learn more about this.

How can you connect your mobile phone to Starlink?

The best part is that you don’t need antennas, a router, or to install anything on the phone. You also don’t have to do anything to activate it. When the phone has no normal signal, it will look for a Starlink satellite and connect automatically. This works thanks to an internal antenna that looks for the satellites that are in space, orbiting the Earth.

But not all phones work with this system. Only some models are compatible, meaning they are ready to connect to Starlink satellites.

Which phones are compatible?

Unfortunately, not all mobile phones are compatible with this connection. For iPhones: Only models iPhone 14, 15, and 16 can do it. For Android, there are more options:

Google Pixel 9 and newer models.
Samsung Galaxy A14 and newer.
Samsung Galaxy S21 to S25.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 to Z Flip 6.
Samsung Galaxy Fold3 and newer.
Also some Motorola models: Razr and Razr Plus (2024), Moto Edge and Moto G Power 5G (2024).

If you have one of these phones, then you can use this new Starlink feature. If not, you will have to wait or change phones if you are interested.

Does it already work in Spain?

No, it is not available in Spain yet. Although the technology already exists and Starlink already has it ready, one important step is missing: the company needs to make an agreement with a mobile provider in Spain. Until that happens, they can’t activate the service.

It is expected that this agreement will be made between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, but there is no exact date yet. Once it is signed, the service could start working in the following months, like it has already happened in other countries where there are agreements, like the United States (with T-Mobile), Canada, Australia, or Japan.

How much does this service cost?

This service will not have an extra cost. That means you won’t have to buy anything new or pay extra money. Most likely, it will be included in the mobile plans that already exist in your country.

Also, there is no special app you need to download, which makes it easier to use. For now, Elon Musk doesn’t plan to charge for this service, at least during this first phase.

Does it use more battery?

Yes, it can use more battery than using the normal network. That’s because connecting to a satellite in space needs more energy. If you use this connection a lot, you might notice that your phone’s battery runs out faster.

But don’t worry: for now it only works for text messages and location, not for internet, videos, or calls. So it doesn’t use mobile data, and that also helps to not use as much battery as watching videos or browsing the internet. Do you think this Starlink project is a great idea?