Modern Apple devices come with crucial emergency capabilities that can be lifesavers in times of need. Here's a guide to setting up and customizing four essential emergency features on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Why These Features Matter
Over the past five years, we've heard many stories about iPhones and Apple Watches saving lives through features like fall detection, emergency SOS, and heart rate monitoring. However, these features can only help you if they're activated and you're familiar with how they work. Taking a few minutes to set them up could make a significant difference in an emergency.
How to Access Emergency Features
- On your iPhone: Go to Settings > Emergency SOS
- On your Apple Watch: Open the Apple Watch app > Emergency SOS
1. Emergency SOS
There are three ways to manually trigger an SOS call on your iPhone. The "SOS with slider" is enabled by default, while the other two can be turned on in Settings > Emergency SOS.
- SOS with slider: Press and hold the side button and a volume button for a few seconds, then swipe the Emergency SOS slider.
- SOS with hold: Press and hold the side button and a volume button until the countdown starts and the call is placed.
- SOS with 5 presses: Rapidly press the side button five times to start the countdown and call emergency services.
You can also enable Call Quietly to silence alarms and flashes during an emergency call — useful if you need to be discreet.
2. Crash Detection
Automatic emergency calls after a crash are supported on:
- iPhone 14 and later
- Apple Watch Series 8 and later
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and later
- Apple Watch Ultra and later
To check if Crash Detection is enabled, go to Settings > Call After Severe Crash on your iPhone or Settings > SOS on your Apple Watch. If a crash is detected, your device will start a countdown and sound an alarm before automatically calling emergency services. Note that not all crashes can be detected.
3. Emergency Contacts and Medical ID
Set up or update your emergency contacts by tapping Edit Emergency Contacts in Health in Settings > Emergency SOS, or by opening the Health app, tapping your profile in the top right, then selecting Medical ID > Edit.
When you make an SOS call, your iPhone or Apple Watch will automatically notify your emergency contacts with a message.
4. Emergency SOS via Satellite
For those with an iPhone 14 or 15, Emergency SOS via satellite allows you to get help even without cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Apple offers a demo so you can practice using the feature before a real emergency arises.
In a real emergency, if your call to 911 doesn't go through, your iPhone will offer to start a satellite connection. Follow the same steps as the demo.
Stay Safe
Setting up and familiarizing yourself with these emergency features can provide peace of mind and potentially save lives. Take a few minutes today to make sure everything is ready to go on your devices.
Activate these safety features and pair your Apple Watch with the most comfortable bands you'll ever wear!
