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Google just gave Pixel 9 owners a little more time with this lifesaving feature
Oct 21, 2026 — 2:08 AM ET

- Google has extended free Satellite SOS access for Pixel 9 owners by another year.
- The feature lets users contact emergency services and share their location over satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity are unavailable.
- Google originally promised two years of free access, but it hasn’t announced whether the service will eventually require a subscription or remain free.
Google has extended the free Satellite SOS offering for Pixel 9 owners by another year.
The company confirmed the extension to PCMag after the publication asked whether Google planned to start charging users as the original two-year free-access period is coming to an end.
“Confirming that we’ve extended this offering, at no additional cost, for one additional year. We have no details to share beyond that at this time,” a Google spokesperson told the publication.
The extension means Pixel 9 owners can continue using the service without an additional fee for another year. However, Google hasn’t specified what will happen after that period. That means we still don’t know anything about the longer-term availability and potential pricing of Satellite SOS.
Google introduced Satellite SOS with the Pixel 9 series. The feature allows users to reach emergency services when they are in a location without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Google originally said Satellite SOS would be included at no additional cost for the first two years after a compatible device was activated. That naturally raises the question of what happens to Satellite SOS on the Pixel 9 series now that the original two-year free-access period has expired. However, Google has not publicly confirmed that Satellite SOS will become a paid service, nor has it announced subscription prices or a paid plan.
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