Many of us tune out when Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, and company talk about all the new features that will be included in the newest iPhone each year.
Naturally, we all tune in to some of the more fascinating new features, but most of us will probably be the first to admit that we often overlook the security measures.
But those crucial safety precautions might come in handy after all—just ask the group of travelers who got stuck in the snowy Colorado mountains over the holiday season.
The group’s iPhone’s SOS satellite feature allowed them to contact rescue even though they were stranded in the middle of nowhere with no phone service.
According to a press release that People was able to obtain, at 6:10 p.m. on Monday, the iPhone Satellite Emergency Relay Center sent word to the Gilpin County Dispatch Center.
They received word that a Toyota Tacoma was lost in Gilpin County’s mountains, not far from Denver.
Colorado 4×4 Rescue Group and Recovery was called in for assistance by Gilpin County sheriffs at 6:50 p.m., and they were sent to the scene of the stranded vehicle at 8:15 p.m.
When the Colorado 4×4 group discovered the stranded vehicle at 9:40 p.m., everyone was safe and sound despite the cold.
“They’re like, ‘Hey, stuck Tacoma. We don’t know what’s going on. We just know that people are stuck,” Colorado 4×4 Rescue public information officer Kimi McBryde told local outlet KMGH.
“So pro of the iPhone: we found out they needed help. Con, you don’t necessarily get all the information.”
The search and rescue team ‘weren’t sure how many people were out there’ because there was no cell phone service, but the fact that they were found safely was what mattered most.
The SOS satellite feature is compatible with the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Pro, according to Apple Support.
“Emergency SOS via satellite can help you connect with the emergency services under exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching the emergency services are available,” according to the website.
“Your iPhone attempts to connect you via satellite if you try to call or text emergency services but are unable to do so because you are in an area without cell or Wi-Fi service.
“To connect to a satellite, you need to be outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon. When you use a satellite connection, the experience is different than sending or receiving a message via mobile connection.”
