If your phone has no cellular signal in a remote area, conserve its battery, use maps and trip information saved offline, and follow your planned route if it is safe to do so. For an emergency, use a communication method that works at your location—such as a compatible satellite communicator, an emergency phone, or an accessible ranger. A mobile phone should not be your only safety plan in the backcountry.
Before you leave cellular coverage
Prepare while you still have a connection. Remote-area coverage varies, and a phone may not be able to call, send messages, load maps, or update its location. The National Park Service advises hikers not to rely on a phone as their only communication plan.
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Check local emergency procedures
Read the destination’s official park or land-manager guidance and current conditions. Find out whether emergency phones, ranger stations, or specific dispatch procedures are available. Emergency options differ by location; an instruction for one park may not apply elsewhere.
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- Download maps for the area and any park information you may need while you are connected. Do not assume you can download them after service disappears.
- Carry a physical map and compass, and know how to use them. NPS recommends these as backups to phone-based navigation.
- Share your route, expected return time, and check-in or overdue plan with someone you trust. Include an alternate route when appropriate, and agree on what that person should do if you miss your check-in.
Choose a second communication method
For trips where the consequences of being unable to call for help are serious, consider a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator. Check that the device is suitable for your destination, understand its coverage and activation process, and confirm any service or registration requirements before relying on it. Learn how its SOS function works; a device is not useful if you cannot operate it under stress.
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- Small, rugged, lightweight satellite communicator enables two-way text messaging even in areas with no cell coverage (Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Send two-way messages globally; easily text back and forth directly with friends via the Garmin Messenger app, even when you’re out of cellular coverage. (Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices.)
- Group messaging via the Garmin Messenger smartphone app lets you share your adventures with multiple contacts simultaneously — and have group text chats with friends and family
- Check in with contacts directly by using preset messages that do not count toward your allotted text messages (Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Share your GPS location (Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
A power bank can extend a phone’s runtime, but it cannot create a cellular signal or replace an emergency communicator.
What to do when your phone has no signal
Pause before changing plans
Stop somewhere safe and assess your situation before walking farther or separating from companions. Check your downloaded map and trip plan. Do not assume that a map requiring internet access will load, or that your phone’s location display will continue to update reliably.
Rank #2
- SYNC WITH BLUETOOTH: Connect to SpotX to cellphone so you can communicate with family or even search and rescue; Use as a standalone communication device with it's own dedicated US mobile number to receive messages
- PEACE OF MIND: Send S.O.S. to 24/7 Search & Rescue service, message back and forth about the nature of your emergency, receive confirmation when help is on the way; Message any cell number or email address virtually anywhere
- GLOBALSTAR SATELLITE & SPOT products use GPS to determine location and transmit GPS coordinates to others; SPOT users can notify friends, family or emergency rescue their exact GPS coordinates
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: SpotX Device, strap and carabiner, micro usb data/power cable, quick start guide, SOS mirrored sticker, warranty card and kickstand
- PURCHASE, ACTIVATE, EXPLORE: Grab a Spot X 2-way Satellite Messenger; Activate by selecting your service plan; Get out there and explore the world with peace of mind
Save the phone’s battery
A phone searching for service can use power. Dim the screen, close apps you do not need, and use airplane mode—or switch the phone off—when you are not actively using it. Turn it back on when you have a specific reason to check saved information or try to communicate. Airplane mode conserves power; it does not provide a connection.
For basic battery-conservation advice, the FCC and FEMA also recommend limiting power use in a preparedness document published in September 2011. Its advice is general rather than current device-specific guidance.
Rank #3
- Lightweight SOS satellite communicator uses the global Iridium satellite network so you can stay connected without cell coverage (active satellite subscription required; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Explore with peace of mind knowing you can trigger an interactive SOS message with location coordinates to Garmin Response℠, a 24/7-staffed international coordination center, for help in an emergency (active satellite subscription required; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Exchange photos, texts and voice messages without cell service; taking and sending photos requires pairing your inReach device with your compatible smartphone by using the Garmin Messenger app (active satellite subscription required; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices)
- Rugged design features a high-resolution and scratch-resistant color touchscreen; can withstand impact, extreme weather and harsh temperatures (IP67 water rating)
- Internal, rechargeable lithium battery supports up to 350 hours with 10-minute inReach tracking and up to 95 hours in performance messaging mode
If someone needs urgent help
Use an emergency method that is actually available where you are: a compatible satellite SOS device, an emergency phone, or a ranger you can reach safely. Follow the local instructions. Do not assume that dialing 911 will connect from an area with no service; whether a call can be routed depends on the location and available networks.
At Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service’s 2026 commercial operating requirements give specific instructions for certain concessioner operations, including activating a satellite device’s SOS in addition to contacting park dispatch. That is a park- and operation-specific procedure, not a universal rule for other destinations. Follow the instructions issued for your location.
Rank #4
- MEANT FOR ADVENTURE: Spot Gen4 provides critical, life-saving line of communication when you travel beyond cell towers; Let family know you're ok or push the SOS button to send your GPS to emergency responders if you need help
- NO CELL PHONE OR SERVICE-NO PROBLEM: With the Tracking feature Gen4 can transmit location updates when you are moving and when you stop; Keep one in your child's backpack for the walk home
- GLOBALSTAR SATELLITE & SPOT products use GPS to determine location and transmit GPS coordinates to others; SPOT users can notify friends, family or emergency rescue their exact GPS coordinates
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: SPOT Gen4 device, Strap and Carabiner, USB Cable, Batteries and quick start guide; Subscription required; Two service plans available
- PURCHASE, ACTIVATE, EXPLORE: Grab a Spot Gen4; Activate by selecting your service plan; Get out there and explore the world with peace of mind
If there is no immediate emergency
Use offline maps and the agreed trip plan, stay with your route when it is safe, and avoid repeated signal checks that drain the battery. If you are separated or overdue, follow the plan shared with your trusted contact. In some remote settings, help may take days to arrive, so do not count on a particular response time.
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Which backup options serve which purpose?
| Option | What it can do | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Satellite communicator | May support messaging or emergency SOS beyond cellular coverage. | Confirm destination suitability, coverage, service requirements, battery life, and how the SOS process works. Capabilities vary by device and service. |
| Personal locator beacon (PLB) | Can be considered as a dedicated way to signal for help. | Check activation, registration or service details, and regional suitability. Decide whether emergency signaling alone meets your needs or whether you also need two-way check-ins. |
| Offline phone map | Provides access to previously downloaded navigation information without a cellular connection. | Download the right area in advance; check map detail, storage requirements, and whether the app works offline. It does not provide communication. |
| Paper map and compass | Provide a navigation backup independent of phone battery and cellular coverage. | Choose maps appropriate to the terrain and learn how to navigate with them. |
| Power bank | Provides additional charge for a phone or other compatible device. | It supports battery life only; it does not provide a signal or replace an emergency communication device. |
Do not assume your phone can use satellite service
Satellite features are not universal across phones, carriers, or locations. The NPS Satellite Mode page describes low-data access to the NPS App over participating cell-provider satellite connections; it does not establish that every phone or service supports satellite emergency calling or messaging. Check the exact device, carrier, destination, and supported function before depending on it.
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