Pixel Phones Show Off Satellite SOS Feature They Can’t Actually Use

Pixel users, brace yourselves for a cosmic mix-up! A recent glitch had Pixel 6, 7, and 8 owners seeing stars – specifically, believing their phones had emergency satellite SOS capabilities. Turns out, it was just a phantom feature. While your Pixel might be smart, it’s not quite ready to phone home to outer space just yet.

Some older Pixel phones have teased a Satellite SOS feature they can’t use

Pixel owners got a surprise glimpse into the future! A premature Pixel Satellite SOS intro screen briefly surfaced on some Pixel 6, 7, and 8 series devices. The catch? None of those models actually support the feature.

A hidden "Satellite SOS" page recently popped up on some Android phones, accessible through Settings -> Safety & emergency. Reddit users stumbled upon the feature, which appears to be a glitch, prematurely revealing a potential satellite connectivity option. It seems this emergency lifeline wasn’t quite ready for its debut, escaping the confines of development due to a software bug.

Following the September 2025 Google Play system update, a curious anomaly has emerged: the Satellite SOS feature now displays its operational mechanics and emergency contact “Sharing preferences,” highlighting a complimentary two-year service period. However, the "Try a demo" button has mysteriously vanished, an omission that, while peculiar, aligns with the feature’s current unsupported status.

This feature is really useful to have if you find yourself in an emergency far from cellular signal

Stranded off-grid? Pixel’s Satellite SOS is your lifeline. Imagine summoning help and sharing your precise location, even when cellular dead zones and Wi-Fi deserts leave you completely disconnected. That’s the power of Satellite SOS – emergency connectivity, redefined.

Exclusive to the Pixel 9 and 10, this cutting-edge feature leaves older models behind. The secret ingredient? A state-of-the-art Exynos 5400 modem. Sadly, the Exynos 5123 and 5300 just don’t have what it takes to play ball.

Google has acknowledged a glitch causing some Pixel phones (including the 8 series and potentially older models) to display an erroneous page. The official word? If you encounter this phantom screen, simply disregard it. It’s just a bug.

Thanks for reading Pixel Phones Show Off Satellite SOS Feature They Can’t Actually Use