Staying safe while exploring the wilderness keeps getting easier, thanks to the growing number of options for emergency cell service. The latest offering comes from HMD, which just launched a new accessory to connect Android or iOS phones directly to satellites from anywhere in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii.
This handheld device enables 24/7 emergency response even in remote areas, according to HMD. It’s got battery life for at least 3 days, weighs 60 g, and fits in the palm of the hand.
By using the device through the accompanying OffGrid app, users can expect two-way messaging and live location tracking for up to five recipients. It also has a “check-in” feature for sending a message to friends and family with the click of a button.
“We want to make sure that people stay connected even when they’re roaming out and about,” Petri Hayrynen, HMD’s global head of product marketing, said in a December meeting with journalists. “There’s so many of those spots, especially in the U.S. in national parks.”
The device is basically an updated version of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, first developed by phone maker Bullitt. HMD partnered with the startup’s founders to expand its capabilities into the OffGrid device released this week. It could compete with a similar emergency satellite service that became available to some iPhone users in 2024.
HMD OffGrid: Details
HMD said the OffGrid could serve as an emergency device for a variety of users, including hikers, hunters, skiers, and other outdoor sports. It’s also meant to work for stranded truck drivers or someone facing a natural disaster and a sudden loss of cell service.
While Garmin devices have long offered SOS capability in the backcountry, an increasing number of cellphones have begun offering similar, if less powerful, connectivity.
In 2024, both Google and Apple announced emergency text messages via satellite for newer smartphone models like the Pixel 9 and the iPhone 14, 15, and 16. Some reports suggest that the added SOS capability from these phones has already saved lives.
A big advantage of the OffGrid is that it apparently works for either Android or iOS phones. It also comes with Overwatch x Rescue, the SOS service from FocusPoint International. The service includes 24/7 multilingual emergency response coordination and fully funded assistance for subscribed customers, including helicopter rescues.
“With this service, everything will be paid for you for the rescue,” Hayrynen said of FocusPoint emergency services. “From your current location to a safe place, they will pay everything. It’s an exceptional service.”
The OffGrid device itself also aims for rugged durability, with resistance to water, shocks, and cold, according to HMD.
HMD OffGrid: Pricing & Availability
The HMD OffGrid is currently available to purchase for the United States, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, with more territories coming throughout 2025, the company said.
Purchasing the device itself costs $200. After that, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription, of which there are two main options. The Unlimited Plan costs $15 a month or $140 a year for unlimited messages, check-in, and SOS services. There’s also an optional unlimited live tracking add-on available for another $5 a month (and a $10 activation fee).
Meanwhile, the Freedom Plan costs $80 a year and offers up to 350 text and check-in messages. Unlimited live tracking is once again available for an extra $5 a month (and a $20 activation fee).
That’s comparable to the $15 monthly subscription for Garmin’s inReach satellite service, for example. While Garmin might still be the big name in handheld GPS devices (as evidenced by our Garmin-dominated GPS buying guide), HMD’s OffGrid clearly aims to compete in the long term (though it will likely have to improve the OffGrid’s battery life to become a real competitor with Garmin).
Regardless, HMD — which partners with the Skylo satellite network — plans to expand its emergency service areas to Canada, Mexico, and Brazil during the first quarter of 2025. Further expansions for the rest of the Americas and Europe will come later.
