Carriers › Kyivstar
Kyivstar satellite texting: Starlink Direct to Cell (Kyivstar | SpaceX)
Ukraine · Network: SpaceX Starlink Direct to Cell · Status: live (SMS); Light Data in testing
Price & plans
SMS billed at your normal tariff. Light Data (Viber/WhatsApp/Google Maps) needs the 'Є зв'язок' service (included in some tariffs or as a paid add-on).
Launch
unknown (SMS); 2026-06-16 Light Data (source)
Coverage
All of Ukraine except temporarily occupied territories, border zones (~20–50 km) and active combat areas.
What works
| Text | yes (SMS) |
|---|---|
| Picture audio messages | via messengers on Light Data (Android) |
| Apps | Viber, WhatsApp, Google Maps (Light Data, Android only for now) |
| Data | Light Data on 4G Android phones (iOS later); requires the 'Є зв'язок' service + data roaming on |
| Voice | no (planned) |
| Emergency | unknown |
Satellite apps
Viber, WhatsApp, Google Maps
Supported phones (27)
Kyivstar says 4G (LTE) Android phones may work (depends on the manufacturer) plus iPhone 13 and newer on iOS 26.2+. Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra are named as 'optimized'. New-type SIM card required.
| Phone | Text | Photos/media | Apps/data | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 13 Pro | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 13 mini | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 14 | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 14 Plus | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 14 Pro | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 15 | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 15 Plus | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 15 Pro | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 16 | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 16 Plus | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 16 Pro | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 16e | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 17 | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 17 Pro | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 17e | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 18 Pro | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| iPhone Air | yes | unknown | no (iOS Light Data coming later) | Kyivstar: iPhone 13 and newer with iOS 26.2+ (rule applied) |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | yes | unknown | yes (Light Data) | Named 'optimized' by Kyivstar; auto-connects |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | yes | unknown | yes (Light Data) | Named 'optimized' by Kyivstar; auto-connects |
| Samsung Galaxy S25+ | yes | unknown | yes (Light Data) | Named 'optimized' by Kyivstar; auto-connects |
Sources (checked 2026-10-17):
https://kyivstar.ua/starlink
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