CalTopo is Now Satellite Ready with T-Mobile T-Satellite
No matter where an adventure or SAR mission takes you, you can now bring more of the power of CalTopo with you.
With today’s announcement from T-Mobile, we’re excited to finally share that the latest version of the CalTopo app is satellite ready and compatible with T-Mobile’s T-Satellite service. When T-Mobile invited us to prepare CalTopo for satellite data ahead of the launch, we jumped at the opportunity. Satellite connectivity will be available to anyone with a compatible phone and data plan as well as the latest version of the CalTopo mobile app (version 1.21 and later for Android and 1.22 and later for iOS).
What this means for CalTopo users
Satellite data unlocks core features of the app that weren’t previously available offline. With satellite connectivity, you can:
- Load and view any CalTopo map layer, anywhere. This includes layers like Sentinel Weekly that are not available for offline downloads.
- Use live tools in the backcountry. Use tools like Point Info to check for real-time weather forecasts and more, no matter how far you are from cell service.
- Stay connected when it matters. Sync map data via satellite so anyone else viewing the map can see updates, including live tracks- a powerful benefit whether you’re sharing your track with loved ones during a big hike or monitoring teams during a SAR mission.
Not all CalTopo’s features are currently available with satellite data; for example, photo waypoint syncing is not supported at this time. However this is just the beginning and we plan to continue to fine-tune based on your feedback and additional testing.
Ready to try it?
If you’ve got T-Satellite data, open up the CalTopo app the next time you’re offline and see what’s possible. Make sure to let us know what you think- we’d love to hear your thoughts! We’re proud to help support your wildest adventures and your most critical operations- now with the added reach of satellite data.
To learn more about T-Mobile T-Satellite, check out T-Mobile’s announcement: T-Satellite is Here: And It’s Now Powering Apps!
Has anyone got this to work yet? I’m a Verizon customer but signed up for a Tmobile eSIM so I could get access to T-SAT and use CalTopo off grid. So far, it hasn’t worked. I can send texts thru the T-SAT connection but no app data on any of the listed “satellite-ready” apps, including CalTopo. After a painful hour with customer service, I’ve learned that T-SAT data is not yet available for the data plan I subscribed too. Looks like it’s only available for full blown Tmobile subscribers. It is supposedly coming for my $15/mo plan eventually but the timeline is unknown. I see this being a game changer for us. I’m a SAR commander in rural Utah. Most of our missions are in areas without cell coverage. Being able to track the team using T-SAT would be huge. I hope it works out. Hats off to the CalTopo team for being one of the first apps compatible with T-SAT. Ben – Millard County, Utah
I solved my own problem. After being told by TMobile that my plan wasn’t eligible yet, I decided to update to ios26 on an iphone 14 and Bob’s your uncle. Everything works now as expected. Caltopo layers and point info loads perfectly. Location sharing to the team account is performs just like it does on cell data. I can see other shared locations. We even tested a few successful voice calls using WhatsApp between team members. I’m stoked. I guess this means I can’t complain about the price of our team subscription anymore. 😉 – Ben
Thank you so much for the update & glad to hear you’re stoked! We are hopeful this will be a great option for teams so your message really made us smile.
I am member of a SAR team in Arizona. We have been experimenting with CALTopo on TSatellite with Verizon plan iPhones. So far is working well. We can track members on CALTopo when they are in no cell areas, can download CALTopo layers, and can text each other with minimal delay time. Can also use WhatsApp for voice calls. Have only had for a week, so will be doing much more testing. But so far this looks like a game changer for us in SAR.
Sounds like the initial test run was a success- stoked to hear that, Thanks for sharing your experience, Tim!