As smartphones have become more integrated into our daily lives, they have also become more advanced in their capabilities. One such capability is the emergency SOS feature available on iPhones. This feature can be a lifesaver in situations where you need immediate help, but many iPhone users may not be aware of what it is or how to use it. In this article, we will go in-depth into what SOS means on iPhone and how to use it.
1. What is SOS on iPhone?
SOS on iPhone is a feature that allows you to quickly call for help in an emergency situation. When you activate this feature, your iPhone will automatically call emergency services and send a message to your emergency contacts with your current location. This feature can be accessed from the lock screen by pressing the power button five times in quick succession.
2. How to activate SOS on iPhone
Activating SOS on iPhone is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS.”
- Toggle the “Call with Side Button” switch to on. This will allow you to activate SOS by pressing the side button five times in quick succession.
3. How to use SOS on iPhone
In an emergency situation, you can use SOS on iPhone by pressing the side button five times in quick succession. This will bring up the Emergency SOS screen, where you can swipe the “Emergency SOS” slider to call emergency services. If you have automatic SOS enabled, your iPhone will automatically call emergency services after the countdown timer ends.
4. Emergency contacts on iPhone
When you activate SOS on iPhone, your emergency contacts will receive a message with your current location. To add emergency contacts to your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap on “Medical ID.”
- Tap “Edit” in the top right corner.
- Scroll down to the “Emergency Contacts” section and tap “add emergency contact.”
5. How to customize your emergency message
When you activate SOS on iPhone, your emergency contacts will receive a message with your current location. You can customize this message to include additional information such as your name and medical information. To customize your emergency message, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS.”
- Tap “Edit” next to “Emergency SOS Message.”
- Customize your message and tap “Done” when you’re finished.
6. How to disable automatic SOS on iPhone
If you prefer not to use automatic SOS on iPhone, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS.”
- Toggle the “Auto Call” switch to off.
7. When to use SOS on iPhone
SOS on iPhone should only be used in emergency situations where you need immediate help. Examples of situations where you might use SOS include:
- You or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency
- You are in danger or being attacked
- You are stranded or lost in an unfamiliar location
- You witness a crime or accident
It’s important to only use SOS when necessary, as false alarms can put emergency services and your emergency contacts in unnecessary danger.
8. How to check if your iPhone supports SOS
SOS on iPhone is supported on all iPhone models from the iPhone 6s and later. To check if your iPhone supports SOS, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS.”
- Look for the “Set up Emergency Contacts” and “Auto Call” options. If these options are present, your iPhone supports SOS.
9. How to use Siri to call for help
In addition to using SOS on iPhone, you can also use Siri to call for help in an emergency situation. To do this, simply say “Hey Siri, call emergency services” or “Hey Siri, call [contact name]”. This can be especially helpful if you are unable to access your iPhone’s screen.
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10. How to disable the emergency SOS countdown sound
When you activate SOS on iPhone, a loud countdown sound will play before emergency services are called. If you find this sound to be distracting or distressing, you can disable it by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS.”
- Toggle the “Countdown Sound” switch to off.
11. How to change your iPhone’s emergency location sharing settings
When you activate SOS on iPhone, your current location will be shared with emergency services and your emergency contacts. If you prefer not to share your location or want to change your sharing settings, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.”
- Tap on “Location Services.”
- Scroll down and tap on “System Services.”
- Tap on “Emergency Calls & SOS.”
- Toggle the “Share My Location” switch to off.
12. Using Emergency SOS while traveling
Emergency SOS can be especially helpful when traveling in unfamiliar locations. Before you travel, make sure that you have activated SOS on your iPhone and have added emergency contacts. Additionally, consider downloading a translation app or learning basic phrases in the local language in case you need to communicate with emergency services.
13. What happens after you make an SOS call?
After you make an SOS call on iPhone, emergency services will be dispatched to your location. Your emergency contacts will also receive a message with your current location. It’s important to stay on the line with emergency services and provide as much information as possible about your situation.
14. Tips for staying safe with Emergency SOS
To stay safe with Emergency SOS on iPhone, consider these tips:
- Familiarize yourself with the Emergency SOS feature before you need to use it
- Make sure your emergency contacts are up-to-date
- Consider adding medical information to your emergency message
- Only use SOS in emergency situations
- Stay on the line with emergency services and provide as much information as possible
- Consider using Siri to call for help if you are unable to access your iPhone’s screen
15. Conclusion
In conclusion, SOS on iPhone is a powerful feature that can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can activate and use SOS on your iPhone, customize your emergency message, and stay safe
