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How to Use Your Phones Emergency Features

Several makes of mobile phones now feature emergency functions that are designed to provide aid if you ever find yourself in a threatening situation. Some of these functions include SOS calls, emergency contacts, and automatic location sharing.

This article provides tips and step-by-step instructions on using the emergency features on Apple, Samsung, and Google phones. Read on to find the emergency functions on both Apple and Android phones.

Apple - iPhone

The iPhone features an SOS emergency call function that immediately dials the local emergency number to ensure you receive help as quickly as possible. After you have made the emergency call, your location will be sent to your emergency contacts via text message. They will continue to receive updates of your location if it changes.

How to make an SOS emergency call

iPhone 8 or later

  1. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons
  2. Drag the Emergency SOS slider
  3. OR continue to press and hold the buttons. An alert will sound and a countdown will begin. Continue holding the buttons until the end of the countdown
  4. Your iPhone will call the local emergency services

iPhone 7 or earlier

  1. Quickly press the side/top button five times
  2. Drag the Emergency SOS slider
  3. Your iPhone will call the local emergency services

How to add emergency contacts

  1. Open the Health app
  2. Tap your profile picture
  3. Tap Medical ID
  4. Tap Edit and scroll to Emergency Contacts
  5. Tap a contact and select their relationship to you
  6. Tap Done to save your changes

Android

Samsung

Samsung’s emergency mode helps conserve your phone’s power and extend battery life. When the emergency mode is activated, you will be able to contact an emergency service number, call your emergency contacts, and share your location via text messages.

The SOS function will notify your specified contacts when you are in an emergency. When the SOS function is enabled, you can press your lock button three times to automatically send an SOS message with a link to your location to your emergency contacts. You will also have the opportunity to send a photo and/or voice message to provide more information to your emergency contacts.

How to turn on Emergency Mode

  1. Press and hold the power button
  2. Tap emergency mode
  3. If you are using the emergency mode for the first time, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions
  4. Tap Turn On
  5. Your Samsung will now present the Emergency Mode home screen

How to turn on SOS Messages

  1. Go to settings
  2. Tap Advanced Features
  3. Tap Send SOS Messages
  4. Agree to the terms and conditions
  5. Tap Add to add a contact to your emergency contacts

Google

Google phones can provide quick access to your medical information simply by presenting it on your lock screen. It is crucial to provide emergency services with your specific medical information so that they can provide effective care while responding to your call. Your phone’s emergency location services will also provide the emergency services with your precise location, allowing them to reach you as quickly as possible.

How to add emergency information to your lock screen

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap About Phone
  3. Tap Emergency Information
  4. Enter the information you want to display
  5. For medical information, tap Edit Information or Info
  6. For emergency contacts, tap Add Contact or Contacts

How to turn Emergency Location Service on

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Location
  3. Tap Advanced Tap (Google) Emergency Location Service
  4. Turn on Emergency Location Service

Huawei

Your Huawei phone features an emergency SOS function that allows you to easily send your current location to your emergency contacts without even unlocking your phone. When this feature is enabled, you can send your location by pressing the power button five times quickly. Once these messages are sent, your phone will present the emergency call screen. From here, you can call the emergency service number or one of your emergency contacts.

You can also tap ‘Emergency’ on the lock screen to call an emergency number or one of your emergency contacts. If you have adequate signal strength, your location will automatically appear on the screen too.

How to turn on Emergency SOS

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Privacy
  3. Tap Emergency SOS
  4. Enable Also send SOS message
  5. When prompted, set your emergency contacts