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T-Mobile’s Starlink Phone Service Is Launching July 23, but Everyone Can Sign Up for the Free Beta Right Now

Take an early look at the T-Mobile Starlink satellite phone service which is available to Android and iPhone owners on every phone carrier.

T-Mobile is about to launch its new satellite phone service powered by Starlink. Dubbed T-Satellite, the network will officially start serving customers on July 23, but if you want a sneak peek right now, it’s easy to apply and take Starlink for a smartphone test drive. 

In December 2024, T-Mobile launched a beta program that’s available to customers of any phone carrier, regardless of whether you have an iPhone or Android phone. The program is still open for those who want to apply.

However, access is limited during the T-Mobile Starlink beta. If you’re a T-Mobile customer living in the US, you must have an optimized phone, like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 6, iPhone 16 or Google Pixel 9. Customers of AT&T, Verizon and other phone carriers can also apply for the T-Satellite beta if they have a compatible, unlocked device with eSIM support.

If you’re interested in trying out the T-Mobile Starlink satellite service and don’t know where to start, here’s everything you need to know.

What is T-Mobile Starlink satellite service and how does it work?

In August 2022, during a live event, T-Mobile and SpaceX announced Coverage Above and Beyond, a plan for bringing cellphone connectivity everywhere in the US, even in the most remote regions. T-Mobile’s wireless network would leverage Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellites — more than 300 of them — to provide «near complete coverage» to all 500,000 square miles in the US that are not covered by cell towers, essentially eliminating dead zones.

If you’re in an area without cell service, like Yosemite National Park or the Grand Canyon, your phone will automatically connect to the nearest T-Mobile Starlink satellite, acting like a floating cellphone tower, to give you service, as long as there’s nothing obstructing the connection between your phone and the sky.

What can you do with T-Mobile Starlink satellite service?

You can use the T-Mobile Starlink satellite service to send and receive text messages on your supported phone — for free. That includes text messages to 911 in case of an emergency. Plans are in place to add support for picture messaging, voice calls, and data soon — but for most users, it will come at a cost.

Who can use the T-Mobile Starlink satellite service?

Right now, you need to meet the following requirements if you want to use the Starlink satellite service on your phone:

  • Anyone with any phone plan can apply. On T-Mobile’s website, it says: «Anyone — on any carrier — can register to participate in the beta. We’ll admit people on a rolling first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage everyone to sign up as soon as possible.»
  • You must have an optimized phone. According to T-Mobile, the following phones work with its Starlink satellite service: iPhone 14 and later, Google Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S23 and later, Galaxy Z Flip3 and Fold 3 and later, Motorola 2024 and later and more. You can find the full list here, which includes a few more Galaxy models.
  • You must also be on the latest software update. T-Mobile says that your phone must be on the latest software to use T-Mobile Starlink.

You must also be accepted into the T-Mobile Starlink satellite service beta program. The next section will explain how to sign up.

How can I join the T-Mobile Starlink satellite service beta program?

If you meet the requirements listed in the previous section, go to T-Mobile’s satellite phone service website and register with your full name, email and mobile phone number. Once you’ve been verified, you’ll receive confirmation that you’re on the waitlist for the Starlink satellite service via email.

Capacity is limited, so not everyone will get to join during the beta launch, but if you have an «optimized» phone, meaning a newer phone, you have a better chance of getting accepted. You should receive a notification via email or text when you’re accepted into the program. As the program leaves the beta stage on July 23, more people will be able to join.

What else you should know about T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite service

Since the satellite-to-cell service is still in beta, here are answers to some common questions you might have:

  • When will the free beta end? T-Mobile plans to end the free beta on July 23.
  • What will the price of the T-Mobile Starlink service be after the beta is finished? The service will continue to be free for users on T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan, but for every other T-Mobile customer, it will be $10 a month per line «for a limited time.» New subscribers to T-Mobile’s Experience More plan will receive T-Satellite free through the end of 2025.
  • How much will it cost for Verizon, AT&T and other carrier users? While Verizon and AT&T customers can get T-Mobile Starlink text messaging for free during the beta trial, once the full service launches in July, it will be $10 per month per line.  

Technologies

Repair Your Electronics at Home With This Rare Black Friday Discount on the iFixit Pro Tech Go Toolkit

This toolkit rarely goes on sale, so take advantage of this opportunity to snag it for only $40.

While Black Friday is an excellent time to replace old smartphones or broken laptops at a discount, not everyone is looking to splurge on new tech right now. If you’re shopping on a budget, or simply like the devices that you have and aren’t ready for an upgrade, investing in an electronics repair kit may be a wise option. We’ve spotted a discount on the iFixit Pro Tech Go tech toolkit, bringing its price down to just $40. But don’t delay, Black Friday is in its final hours and this kit rarely goes on sale.

The iFixit Pro Tech Go kit can be used to open up and repair a wide range of electronics, including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and smart home devices for DIY repairs like battery or screen replacements. The kit has a 32-bit Moray driver kit, an opening tool, a suction handle, a jimmy, a spudger and angled tweezer to carefully open your devices.

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Repairing your own tech can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It also reduces e-waste by helping your devices last longer rather than throwing them away over minor issue. As of this year, all 50 states have introduced right-to-repair legislation designed to give people a legal right to fix their own tech, and several states have already signed it into law.

You can check out more deals from iFixIt now on Amazon. Plus, for other budget buys, check out our roundup of the best Black Friday deals under $100.

Why this deal matters

This is a record low price on a repair kit that rarely goes on sale. While we did see a modest discount on the iFixit Pro Tech Go toolkit during Amazon Prime Day in July, it was not marked down for October Prime Day or other sales such as Memorial Day or Labor Day. As such, it’s fairly unlikely that we’ll see it go on sale again this season, so this might be your last chance to get the toolkit for only $40.

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Technologies

Don’t Say Goodbye to Black Friday Yet. These Rare Apple Discounts Are Still Going Strong

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Technologies

What a Ban Would Actually Mean for DJI Drone Owners and Holiday Shoppers

What’s the secret to a very un-merry shopping season? A brand new, unusable drone.

With Thanksgiving wrapped up and the Black Friday shopping sales here, if a DJI drone is on your holiday wish list, you might want to hit «buy» immediately. The company has issued a stark warning: Its drones could be banned from sale in the US, and the deadline is looming. 

The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 at the end of October to «close loopholes» that allow tech deemed a «national security risk» to be sold in the US. In plain English, the US government is clearing the path to give DJI the same treatment it gave Chinese phone-maker Huawei, effectively banning its products from the American market.

The US government has deemed DJI, which is based in China, a security risk. It’s also considering a separate ban on TP-Link routers.

DJI is already sounding the alarm, posting on Instagram that a «deadline that could decide DJI’s fate in the US is just 43 days away» (now 19 days away). The company is warning that without an audit, its products could face an «automatic ban.» The US government has long labeled the Chinese drone maker a security risk, and it looks like the hammer might finally be coming down right before the holidays.


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The vote isn’t the end of the road, however. Future bans would need to target specific products and would require a period of public consultation. But it appears the groundwork is being set for the FCC to block sales of future and some existing DJI drones from US shores, as well as products that use DJI technology.

The government has called for a DJI audit by the end of the year, but if that doesn’t happen, DJI drone products could be banned for sale by default under a national security law.

DJI asks for a security audit before any ban

A representative for DJI told CNET that while the FCC vote references a rule change that doesn’t currently apply to DJI specifically, the National Defense Authorization Act deadline in December would put Chinese companies like it on the FCC’s ban list, «without any evidence of wrongdoing or the right to appeal.»

Adam Welsh, head of global policy at DJI, said the company has repeatedly said it would be open to audit, but that «more than 10 months have now passed with no sign that the process has begun.» 

«The US government has every right to strengthen national security measures, but this must go hand in hand with due process, fairness, and transparency,» Welsh said.

Welsh said DJI is urging the government to start the audit process or grant an extension.

Will DJI drone owners need to give them up?

Because the ban would apply to new sales, not drones that have already been sold, a DJI drone you already own would still be legal to use — at least under current rules. 

Government agencies, however, are prohibited from purchasing or using drones from Chinese companies, including DJI.

DJI’s drones consistently rank high in their product category. In January, they dominated CNET’s list of best drones for 2025. But some of the company’s newest products, such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, haven’t been available for sale in the United States.

Even DJI products that are not yet banned may be hard to find. The website UAV Coach has posted a guide to the bans and reports that, due to inventory issues, most DJI drone models are sold out at retailers regardless of future FCC action. 

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