Google is catching up with Apple and is giving its mobile phone users an important security feature.

A satellite messaging feature first appeared on Pixel phones earlier this year. The option to turn the feature on was there, but nothing happened when you toggle it on.

Also: Your iPhone gets this life-saving messaging feature with iOS 18 (and it’s not AI)

SOS messaging, which allows users to send a text message even without an internet or cellular signal, is a major security enhancement that has been available on the iOS platform since the iPhone 14 but was not available on Android.

We now know two things: In a first for Android, the emergency messaging feature will be available on the Pixel 9 series, and Skylo will support it.

Skylo has been around since 2017 and has sent more than 10 million messages through its existing satellite network. The company also has nearly 100 patent applications related to satellite communications. In addition to consumer devices, Skylo is involved in connected machines in agriculture, shipping, logistics and mining. The company’s FAQ states that it does not own satellites, but leases frequencies from existing networks such as VIASAT, EchoStar, Strigo and Ligado.

In a press release announcing the partnership, Skylo explains that Pixel 9 users – including Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold – will be able to connect to emergency services via satellite to call for help or share their location with contacts.

For the first two years, satellite texting is free on Pixel. Apple launched its satellite texting feature with a similar free period.

Also: Everything announced at Made by Google 2024: Pixel 9 Pro, Fold, Gemini, Watch 3 and more

Satellite messaging was originally thought to be available to T-Mobile customers first, but Brian Rakowski, vice president of product management for Pixel phones, said at this week’s Made by Google event that the feature would be available to all 9-series users regardless of carrier.

Google has announced plans to bring the feature to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 via a software update, but it is not yet available for those devices. Currently, this feature is only available in the United States, excluding Hawaii and Alaska.