We've been writing often about satellite services offered by phone manufacturers and wireless providers. Some Google Pixel handsets will allow you to connect with emergency services and share your location even if you're in an area without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. The Pixel's SOS Satellite feature debuted with the Pixel 9 series and continued with the Pixel 10 line. That means that you don't have this feature if you own a phone from the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, or Pixel 8 lines.
The Pixel Satellite SOS introductory listing mistakenly appeared on older Pixel phones
You might not be able to convince some owners of those older Pixel models that they don't have the feature. That's because the introductory page for Pixel Satellite SOS appeared on their Pixel phones even though it was a mistake and these older models really can't connect to the satellites. The Satellite SOS page surfaced when older Pixel users went to Settings > Safety & emergency > Satellite SOS. But even though some Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 users could see this page on their handsets, they had no way to try out the feature like Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 users can.
This page mistakenly showed up on the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 models. | Image credit-Reddit
The Satellite SOS introductory page started to appear on the older phones after the September 2025 Google Play system update was installed on these models. It shows how the feature works and allows you to set "Sharing preferences" with your emergency contacts. The page also states that "Satellite SOS is included at no charge for 2 years." But the listing also can be the first proof that your phone really doesn't have the feature since the "Try a demo" button is missing on these older models.
Here's why Pixel 8 and older models can't have the Satellite SOS feature
A Google spokesperson explained that a bug caused the older Pixel phones to show the listing and Google said that it has no plan to add Satellite SOS to Pixel models older than the Pixel 9. That could be due to the modems used on the older models. After the Samsung Exynos 5123 modem was used on the Pixel 6 series (and had many connectivity issues), Google switched to the Exynos 5300 modem for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 lines. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 lines both employ the Exynos 5400 modem, which apparently allows the Satellite SOS feature to work with the 2024 and 2025 Pixel models.
Would you like to see Satellite SOS on your older Pixel?
Yes. Who wouldn't want this feature on their Pixel?
89.23%
No. There are better satellite services for phones.
10.77%
Google will quickly exterminate the bug, which should remove the Pixel Satellite introductory page from Pixel 8 and earlier models.
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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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