Why This Matters

In an emergency, you may not be able to unlock your phone or communicate clearly. Emergency features are designed to work even when your phone is locked.

• Emergency SOS lets you call 911 quickly without unlocking your phone.
• Emergency contacts are notified automatically when you call Emergency SOS.
• Medical ID shows your blood type, allergies, medications, and conditions to first responders from the lock screen — no passcode needed.
• Crash Detection (on newer iPhones and some Android phones) automatically calls 911 if it detects a severe car crash.

Setting Up Medical ID on iPhone

Medical ID stores your health information and is accessible from the lock screen without a passcode.

1. 1Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. 2Tap your profile picture or initials in the top right corner.
3. 3Tap Medical ID.
4. 4Tap Edit in the top right corner.
5. 5Fill in your information: name, date of birth, blood type, allergies, medications, medical conditions, and any other relevant notes.
6. 6Make sure Show When Locked is turned on — this allows first responders to see your Medical ID without unlocking your phone.
7. 7Tap Done.

Adding Emergency Contacts on iPhone

Emergency contacts are notified when you use Emergency SOS. They receive a text with your location.

1. 1Open the Health app.
2. 2Tap your profile picture or initials.
3. 3Tap Medical ID → Edit.
4. 4Scroll down to Emergency Contacts.
5. 5Tap the + button to add a contact.
6. 6Choose a contact from your address book and select their relationship to you.
7. 7Tap Done.

Using Emergency SOS on iPhone

Emergency SOS calls 911 and notifies your emergency contacts.

• Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
• Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call 911.
• Alternatively, press the side button five times rapidly to call 911 automatically (this can be configured in Settings → Emergency SOS).
• After the call, your emergency contacts receive a text message with your current location.

Setting Up Emergency Information on Android

Android has a similar Emergency Information feature accessible from the lock screen.

1. 1Open Settings.
2. 2Tap Safety & emergency (the exact name varies by phone brand — it may be under About phone or Personal information).
3. 3Tap Emergency information.
4. 4Add your name, blood type, allergies, medications, and other medical information.
5. 5Tap Emergency contacts and add the people you want notified in an emergency.

Setting Up Emergency SOS on Android

Android's Emergency SOS feature calls 911 and can share your location.

1. 1Open Settings → Safety & emergency → Emergency SOS.
2. 2Turn on Emergency SOS.
3. 3Configure the trigger (usually pressing the power button multiple times).
4. 4Optionally enable Share location with emergency services.

What Information to Include in Your Medical ID

Include information that could affect emergency treatment.

• Blood type (if you know it).
• Allergies — especially to medications like penicillin or aspirin.
• Current medications — especially blood thinners, insulin, or heart medications.
• Medical conditions — diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, etc.
• Organ donor status.
• A note if you wear hearing aids or have other assistive devices.
• Your doctor's name and phone number.