Google is following Apple’s lead and introducing a way to let your phone communicate via satellite in the event of an emergency. During the big Pixel 9 unveiling event on Tuesday, the company shared details of Satellite SOS, which lets you contact emergency responders and share your location when you don’t have cellular reception.

The new Pixel 9 line will be the first Android phones to be able to use Satellite SOS, Google’s Brian Rakowski said on stage. The feature will initially roll out in the U.S., “regardless of your cellular plan,” Rakowski said. According to the fine print shown during Google’s livestream, the service will be included “at no additional cost for the first two years after devices are activated.” A blog post from Rakowski further clarifies this, saying it will be free “on Pixel” for those first two years. And it’s unclear when the feature might be available for other Android phones.

Still, it’s nice to see Google bringing this feature to Android, especially after Qualcomm’s failed attempt to launch its own satellite SOS feature.

Apple launched its Emergency SOS satellite service in November 2022. Last year, it announced that iPhone 14 owners would get another year of free coverage. This means that starting in November 2025, both iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users will have to decide whether to pay for the service.