Current Date: 26 Sep, 2026
{{entry.title}}

stranded hikers rescued by a life-saving iPhone feature

Stranded hikers were rescued by a life-saving iPhone feature that an awful lot of folks don't know a lot about.

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.

Stranded hikers rescued by life saving little known i Phone feature 1
The group had no cell phone service. Credit: 4X4 RESCUE

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.”

Stranded hikers rescued by life saving little known i Phone feature 2
The stranded group were saved. Credit: 4X4 RESCUE

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.”

Similar Stories
Couple reunites after 60 years apart

Couple reunites after 60 years apart

A Russian couple were reunited after being separated for 60 years. They were married for 3 days when the husband left to join the Red Army. They were unable to find each other until 60 years later when they randomly visited their hometown on the same day.

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

A little girl survived a 1-hour submersion in freezing creek water

On June 10, 1986, two-and-a-half-year-old Michelle Funk fell into an icy creek and was submerged for 66 minutes. When rescuers pulled her out of the water, she was not breathing, had no pulse, and appeared lifeless. The doctors used various techniques to rewarm her blood and bring her back to life. She was successfully resuscitated and went on to lead a healthy life.

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

Stefano Mariottini was snorkeling off the coast of Monasterace near Riace in 1972 when he noticed a human hand sticking out of the sand and called the police, thinking it was a corpse. It was actually two statues of "Warriors from Riace" - 5th century BC Greek bronze statues.

Leo Grand: from homeless to mobile app developer

Leo Grand: from homeless to mobile app developer

In 2013, A young programmer offered a homeless man the choice between $100 cash or coding lessons. Leo Grand chose the lessons, and his first mobile app was “Trees for Cars," which helps drivers find carpooling partners.

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

Major Claude Hensinger jumped out of a B-29 bomber during World War II when the engine caught fire. He was saved by his parachute. Later, he requested that his fiancée Ruth make him a gown out of the same parachute. The dress is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

A U.S. Submarine Collides with a Japanese Fishing Ship in 2001

A U.S. Submarine Collides with a Japanese Fishing Ship in 2001

In 1998, 14-year-old Michael Crowe was charged with the murder of his sister. The police started targeting him after he seemed “distant and preoccupied” when his sister’s body was discovered, and during interrogation, police coercion led him to make a false confession. He was later declared factually innocent and the family won a lawsuit of $7.25 million in 2011.

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Located in Belize, there is a cave where the remnants of ancient Maya human sacrifices can be witnessed. However, reaching the back of the cave system requires swimming, wading through a cave river, and crawling through narrow, uneven rocky passages in darkness. Once there, visitors can walk among the numerous corpses of sacrifice victims, including The Crystal Maiden, an 18-year-old whose skeleton has become calcified to the point of sparkling.

A Pilot Survived 20 Minutes Outside A Flying Jet

A Pilot Survived 20 Minutes Outside A Flying Jet

In 1990, the captain of flight 5390 Timothy Lancaster got sucked out of his own plane when the window of the plane fell off. The crew held the captain’s leg for 30 minutes while the plane performed emergency landing. Everyone survived.

Abraham Crijnssen – The Ship That Disguised Itself As An Island

Abraham Crijnssen – The Ship That Disguised Itself As An Island

During World War II a Dutch minesweeper evaded the Japanese for eight days disguised as an island. The crew covered the decks in cut trees and painted exposed surfaces to look like rocks. They moved only at night and anchored closed to shore by day, eventually escaping to Australia.

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant by Jon Bon Jovi with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meals. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal.