How does the encryption work for iMessages sent via satellite

Encryption for iMessages Sent via Satellite

iMessages sent via satellite on iPhone 14 and later models running iOS 18 are end-to-end encrypted, just like regular iMessages[1][2]. This means:

- The messages are encrypted on the sending device before being transmitted over the satellite connection.
- Only the intended recipient can decrypt the message, ensuring that no one else, including Apple, can read the contents while in transit[1].
- The encryption keys are generated and stored on the devices themselves, not on Apple's servers[1].

This end-to-end encryption provides a high level of privacy and security for iMessages sent via satellite, even though the messages are being transmitted over a satellite network rather than cellular or Wi-Fi[2].

It's important to note that SMS messages sent via satellite are not encrypted in the same way, as SMS is an inherently less secure protocol compared to the proprietary iMessage system[2]. For maximum privacy, it's best to use iMessage whenever possible when communicating via satellite.