T-Mobile and Starlink teamed up with high hopes earlier this year, launching a satellite messaging service meant to keep people connected even in places with no cell coverage. It’s available for a bunch of Galaxy phones, including the latest Galaxy S25 series to even Galaxy S21 series. Here, you can check out the full list of compatible Galaxy phones. But as beta testers have found out, the service isn’t quite ready for prime time. Thus, many are left feeling let down.
T-Mobile and Starlink’s satellite messaging is so broken right now, users share
If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, like a national park or a remote road trip spot, your phone would still be able to send a text using Starlink satellites. That’s what the partnership brings for people. T-Mobile is even charging $10 a month for beta users, with plans to charge $15 once it fully launches. But based on user feedback on Reddit (via Android Headlines), many say they are frustrated.
People testing the service have taken to Reddit to share their stories, and they’re far from glowing. One user, who went on a spring break trip through places like Las Vegas, Death Valley, and the Grand Canyon, said they had high hopes. They saw a Starlink signal pop up on their phone with a bar or two of coverage. But couldn’t send a single message over four days.
Others reported similar struggles in places like Red Rock Canyon and even rural Pennsylvania, where the service kept connecting and disconnecting without ever actually working. For something designed to help in emergencies, that’s a big red flag. Users expected a lifeline and ended up with little more than a signal bar and a welcome text that repeated over and over.
It’s true that the service is still in beta, which means bugs are expected. But when it comes to communication in remote areas, people don’t have much patience for maybes. With a full launch expected in July 2025, T-Mobile and Starlink have some serious ground to cover.
