All things STARLINK

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 29th January 2026, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

You can override to satellite if required.

As far as I'm aware there is no way to do that.

AI gave me this. If you've got some way of doing it let me know!

There’s no official way to “force” Starlink as the preferred network
Unlike switching mobile carriers or manually selecting networks (which you can do with cellular networks), Starlink satellite service isn’t exposed as a selectable carrier in the iPhone settings — it is only used when your phone cannot see Telstra’s normal mobile network. You can’t force it to prefer satellite if there’s Telstra coverage present.

**Epic_Dragon** · 3rd February 2026, 12:38 PM

has anyone been given the mini router for free? We were but not sure how it compares performance wise to the original home router. (Gen1) Updates are due to end for the gen 1 router soon, so not sure if this mini is a good substitute with wi fi signal?

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 3rd February 2026, 03:48 PM

Since the MINI I don't know why anyone would bother with a separate router unless you have one of the early dishes without a router, or you are trying to use a MINI for home/domestic use in which case you may want a router.

**Tombie** · 3rd February 2026, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

As far as I'm aware there is no way to do that.

AI gave me this. If you've got some way of doing it let me know!

You can force satellite for emergency when it cannot get an sms out via landnet

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 3rd February 2026, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Tombie

You can force satellite for emergency when it cannot get an sms out via landnet

Everything I've seen suggests there is no way to do that. Can you provide a link at all?

**shack** · 3rd February 2026, 06:10 PM

I've got an S25 which can also do SMS via SAT, but it's pretty sketchy as to whether or works or not.

When it does work it can send SMS and MMS, but a lot of the time it won't work for me.

I also haven't found a way to force SAT service.

However, once on the SAT, it doesn't like searching for the local tower again, at this stage it seems a bit Alpha.

Luckily I don't rely on it.

**Tins** · 3rd February 2026, 07:08 PM

Everything I read suggests iPhone cannot be forced to use satellite, but it will automatically when there's no coverage. Trouble is most articles are US based, and their "cellular" network is vastly different to ours.

**Tombie** · 3rd February 2026, 07:53 PM

It first became useful for me heading to
One of my mine sites, not a spot of coverage.

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 4th February 2026, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Tins

Everything I read suggests iPhone cannot be forced to use satellite, but it will automatically when there's no coverage. Trouble is most articles are US based, and their "cellular" network is vastly different to ours.

Ok, cool. That's my understanding, and experience.

You have to be out of coverage, and for a little while before it will switch over. Hence my criticism of the service - if you have one or two bars of mobile service you probably can't do much and you also can't get satellite.

**Tins** · 4th February 2026, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

Ok, cool. That's my understanding, and experience.

You have to be out of coverage, and for a little while before it will switch over. Hence my criticism of the service - if you have one or two bars of mobile service you probably can't do much and you also can't get satellite.

For me, the question is, is that down to Telstra or the sat service? If in fact they are different. Seems to me that this is an other plus for getting Starlink. Their residential plan now includes a free Mini to take with you. Still a little beyond my budget, but I can wait. Not going anywhere for a while.

Thread: All things STARLINK

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