T-Mobile's cellular Starlink beta is now available on iPhones with iOS 18.3, prompting some to question whether that lets SpaceX's CEO access your private messages. It does not.

Apple has been “secretly working” with SpaceX and the result is that the latest iOS software update means iPhones can access Starlink.

Simply, though, iOS 18.3 does not install Starlink on the iPhone. Essentially, it is packaged within iOS 18.3 as a carrier network settings update for T-Mobile that allows for the connection. It is not on by default, though, and you need to be selected to join the beta after requesting a spot.

The move is surprising for many reasons but mostly because it presents a direct challenge to Apple's existing Globalstar service.

While the update does allow iPhone owners to integrate satellite networks from their provider, it doesn’t automatically enable Starlink on iPhones. On Apple forums, people flagged the fear as completely overblown.

: One NZ’s Satellite TXT service, running over Elon Musk’s Starlink, will now work with an iPhone 14 or later. The move appears to confirm rumours that Apple’s iOS 18.3 upgrade, released early this week,

Apple secretly partners with SpaceX and T-Mobile to integrate Starlink satellite support into iPhones with iOS 18.3.

Apple has been secretly working with SpaceX and T-Mobile to add support for the Starlink network in its latest iPhone software.

A few days ago it was claimed that Apple and SpaceX had been secretly working together, but the latest update doesn’t force Starlink onto your device.