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Story summary
- Six avalanche survivors near Lake Tahoe used the iPhone Emergency SOS satellite feature on February 19, 2026.
- The feature lets users text emergency services via satellite without cellular service or Wi-Fi.
- Don O’Keefe, chief of California’s Office of Emergency Services, said the group remained in contact with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
- The feature is available on iPhone models 14–17 with iOS 16.1 or newer; Android devices offer similar service.
