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How to make Phone Calls, Send SMS Messages, and SOS set up with the Iridium GO!
How to make Phone Calls, Send SMS Messages, and SOS set up with the Iridium GO!
Nick Olson avatar
Written by Nick Olson
Updated today

The free Iridium GO! App is used to make phone calls, send SMS text messages and provide SOS functionality with the Iridium GO!. It is available on Apple (iPhone/ iPad) and Android devices only. It is not available for a Windows or Mac computer.

Iridium GO! turning it ON

Turn the Iridium GO! on by raising the paddle antenna on the unit into the upright position. Make sure the antenna has a clear view of the open sky and horizon.

Once raised the device will automatically complete the power-up sequence in approximately 1 minute, and will begin registration with the Iridium network. Once registered the LED light will turn green, and the signal strength icon will appear on the screen. If the Iridium GO! SIM card has not been activated, no signal strength will be shown. If you have two SIM cards ordered please check you have the correct activated Iridium GO! SIM card inserted.

Download the Iridium GO! App

Download the free Iridium GO! App from the App Store or Google Play. This App manages your connection to the Iridium GO! and allows you to make phone calls, send text messages, and has SOS functions. Treat it as the control centre for the Iridium GO!.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Your smartphone or tablet device MUST be connected via Wi-Fi to the Iridium GO! in order for the Iridium GO! App to operate. Please turn ON Airplane/flight mode then on your iOS or Android device, connect to the wireless network created by your Iridium GO. It will look something like 'IRIDIUM-xxxx.' No password is required. Ensure all devices have Bluetooth capability turned OFF to avoid networking connectivity issues.

Other Wi-Fi networks can be an issue as your device 'searches' and connects to the best Wi-Fi signal. You may need to forget other networks so it does not try to connect to say your home/marina Wi-Fi.

Login to the Iridium GO! App

Open the Iridium GO! App, then press the submit button. The username/password for the Iridium GO! App are both guest & guest - all lower case. This username/password does not need to be changed and is NOT related to your PredictWind account or Iridium Mail/Web App email/password. We recommend only one devices at a time.

On Android: if you have tried to log into the Iridium GO! App before being connected to the Iridium GO Wi-Fi, it may not let you in even if you are using the correct log in details. You may see ' Could not communicate with the Iridium GO' even though you are now connected to the Iridium Wi-Fi.

Go to settings on your Android device > Apps > Iridium GO! App > select force stop.

Then trying logging in again to the Iridium GO! App.

Voice calls from the Iridium GO! App

To make a call, enter the full dialling sequence: 00 or + [Country Code] [Phone Number] using the country/flag drop-down if required, or select a contact. Press the green key to initiate the call and press the red key to end the call.

How People can Call/SMS your Iridium GO!

  1. Dial "+" then Iridium GO! number (e.g +8816-xxxx-xxxx). This is an international call and will be billed to the caller at their long distance rate by their telephone service provider.

  2. Free SMS messages (up to 160 characters) can be sent to your Iridium phone number from https://www.predictwind.com/iridium-free-sms/ This is the most popular way to send SMS messages to an Iridium GO.

  3. Alternatively, people can text from their mobile phone at the international text rate (e.g +8816-xxxx-xxxx). Please check your mobile provider does allow International text messages to be delivered.

Voice mail on the Iridium GO! (not recommended)

Although voice mail can be used on the Iridium GO! we do not recommend using this service. To retrieve voice mail messages you will be charged the standard Iridium GO! calling rates US$1.09/min. It is better to advise friends/family to send an SMS text message. You can change your voice mail greeting to advise the caller to send a text message. Click on the 'call' icon, then click on the voice mail icon. When you hear the greeting enter * on the keypad. Then enter the last 7 digits of your Iridium GO! phone number as the passcode. Then select option '3' to set up your greeting to tell callers that you will not be checking voice mail, but to send an SMS text message. Friends/family can send you free text messages from https://www.predictwind.com/iridium-free-sms/

Your mobile device Contacts

Existing contacts that are stored in your smartphone must be updated to the full
internal dialling sequence in order to connect calls: '+' [Country Code] [Phone
Number]. Without the country code voice calls will not work.

SMS Text Messaging from the Iridium GO! App

When messaging, enter the international dialling sequence of the intended recipient: '+' [Country Code] [Phone Number]. SMS messages are limited to 1000 characters.

SOS Settings

The Iridium GO! offers a programmable SOS button that can be configured to notify specified contacts in the case of an emergency. Once configured, an SOS can be initiated either from the Iridium GO! device or the Iridium GO! App. An SOS initiated by pressing the SOS button on the Iridium GO! device will only send an emergency message with location information, while an SOS initiated from the Iridium GO! App will also provide the option for two-way voice communication with the designated contact.

WARNING! In order for the Iridium GO! to send an SOS emergency message to a designated Call Recipient and Message Recipient, you must configure the SOS settings in the Iridium GO! before leaving the port.

Failure to configure the SOS button will result in no message being sent when the SOS button is pressed. This could prevent or delay an emergency response.

The number you use must be a trusted family member or friend, DO NOT add the local Coast Guard or Marine Rescue service. That is what your EPIRB is for!

The number you use must be capable of receiving SMS messages (a cellular phone).

The number you use needs to include the full international dialling sequence, for example, +1 (USA), +61 (AU), +44 (UK)...

NOTE! The SOS setup is related to your Iridium GO! SIM card. So if you deactivate the service and get a new SIM card you will need to register the IERCC service again.

IERCC safety services: To support the SOS feature, Iridium has contracted with IERCC Travel Safety Group to provide an emergency response coordination service for your Iridium GO! at no additional charge. These services are offered and are provided exclusively by IERCC and not by Iridium which is a separate, unrelated company.

Setting up the IERCC SOS service

Please note: GEOS is now IERCC

  1. Register at https://ierccregister.inreachapp.com/ from your computer. To register, you will need your Iridium phone number and Iridium GO! IMEI (located on the Help > About page in the Iridium App).

  2. On the Iridium GO! App > Go to Settings > SOS > IERCC Service and enter the 5-digit authorization code provided by IERCC in their registration confirmation email, then Submit. The 5-digit code can also be found on your IERCC registration page at the bottom left-hand corner. If successful, your SOS settings will appear and the SOS action will be set to Call and Message, for the IERCC service.

  3. You may then choose to add additional emergency message contacts (see Message Recipient, below). The Message action enables automatic Emergency SMS alerts to be sent at 5-minute intervals until cancelled.

  4. The Call and Message action enables the message feature as well as an automatic phone call to your designated call recipient when SOS is initiated from the Iridium GO! application. Call Recipient: Enter the number for your Call Recipient. It is important that the number is entered in the correct international format with the international access code (+ or 00), country code, and phone number for proper routing.

  5. Spoken Language: Select the spoken language of the emergency response personnel.

Important notes regarding SOS

• The antenna on the Iridium GO! unit must be up, and if not using an external antenna, the paddle antenna on the unit must be oriented towards the sky and have a clear view of the sky.
• SOS can be initiated either by pressing the SOS button on the Iridium GO! device or the SOS icon within the Iridium GO! application.
• To place an Emergency Call you must use the Iridium GO! application.
• The Iridium GO! device will remain in SOS mode until cancelled by the user.
• The SOS mode is not cancelled when the Iridium GO! application is closed or the
the smartphone is turned off.

• To cancel an active SOS in the Iridium GO, push 'Cancel' on the Iridium GO LCD screen or push 'Cancel' within the Iridium GO App on your mobile device.
• If the Iridium GO! device is turned off while in SOS mode, upon restart the Iridium GO! device will resume sending SOS messages.
• If you carry a second Iridium GO as a backup device, you must register EACH device with IERCC. This can be done via the IERCC website https://www.iercc.com/en-US/ or by contacting IERCC directly at https://www.iercc.com/en-US/contact/

NB: Each Iridium GO! unit will receive its own unique 5-digit authorization code.
​

Testing the IERCC SOS safety service

We recommend testing the SOS setting on your device. IERCC asks that all tests be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance unless otherwise approved for an earlier test time by the Operations Team.

  • Please click on the following link: https://www.iercc.com/test-device/ which takes you to an online submission form that is set up for testing.

  • Once the form is submitted, IERCC will reach out to confirm the test via email


For further IERCC Support, you will need to contact IERCC directly at https://www.iercc.com/en-US/

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