This iPhone feature is 'saving lives' during Hurricane Helene aftermath

• Hurricane Helene victims used iPhones for satellite messaging amid power and cell outages.
• Asheville residents praised Apple for the feature and its usefulness.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, those left without power or cell service are transforming their iPhones into satellite phones.

Several public service announcements on social media have urged those affected by Hurricane Helene to update to iOS 18 if they're able. For those who own an iPhone 14 or later, it could be a lifeline to loved ones or rescuers.

An X thread by Asheville resident Matt Van Swol demonstrated just how helpful the satellite messaging iPhone feature has been for those without WiFi or cellular service. Van Swol said he's "never been more thankful to be an iPhone user," and more chimed in with their praise of the iOS 18 feature.

"Due to the lack of cell service, EVERYONE in Asheville NC right now on iOS 18 has been able to get messages out and in with the Satellite messaging feature," Van Swol, head of subscription growth at Wyze, wrote.

Van Swol didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for an interview.

He wasn't the only one who said the satellite messaging feature was a lifesaver. Another user said they could still communicate while stranded by fallen trees and power lines.

Those who were unaware of the feature or didn't have access to it weren't as fortunate. Jeneane Nicodemus wrote for BI that she lost contact with her daughter in Asheville for three days when the hurricane hit North Carolina.

Around 370 of North Carolina's 1,452 cell sites were out of service due to a lack of power as of Monday at 9 a.m. ET, according to a report by the Federal Communications Commission.

As the storm tore north, how-to videos and calls to action began circulating on TikTok to ensure people in its path knew how to activate the satellite feature on iOS 18.

And it's not an iPhone-exclusive tool. Some Google Pixel models also have access to satellite messaging.

Many said they used it to let family members know they were safe, though Apple's official site advises against that in emergency situations. Instead, Apple said iPhone owners should use it to text emergency services if they need urgent help.

Still, Van Swol said it's making a difference.