Do you know about this iPhone safety feature? It can save your life

[Pea-n-Me]

In light of this...

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iPhones have a little known safety feature that calls 911 for you. It can be enabled a couple of different ways, depending on the phone you have. (As above, with earlier phones; or by holding down the volume and the side button with later phones - see link below.) It's worth testing out in case you or your loved ones ever need it in an emergency. (Android phones also have a similar feature.)

Also, don't wait to call, or threaten to call, if you think you might need help - just call.
Our senses let us know when something's wrong (intuition), we should always pay attention to them.

I saw a discussion where someone wondered why not just turn the phone on and dial 911. That requires you to look into the phone, and may not be the best thing to do if you're in a bad situation. With this other way, you could have the phone down by your side and with one hand, still be calling without anyone else even knowing. (If you continue to hold down the side and volume buttons, for instance, it will count down from five and automatically call 911 if still held down.)

How to use Emergency SOS on your phone:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208076

See how your phone's system works in case you ever need it, and pass it along!

 

[wenrob]

In light of this...

View attachment 346006
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iPhones have a little known safety feature that calls 911 for you. It can be enabled a couple of different ways, depending on the phone you have. (As above, with earlier phones; or by holding down the volume and the side button with later phones - see link below.) It's worth testing out in case you or your loved ones ever need it in an emergency. (Android phones also have a similar feature.)

Also, don't wait to call, or threaten to call, if you think you might need help - just call.
Our senses let us know when something's wrong (intuition), we should always pay attention to them.

I saw a discussion where someone wondered why not just turn the phone on and dial 911. That requires you to look into the phone, and may not be the best thing to do if you're in a bad situation. With this other way, you could have the phone down by your side and with one hand, still be calling without anyone else even knowing. (If you continue to hold down the side and volume buttons, for instance, it will count down from five and automatically call 911 if still held down.)

How to use Emergency SOS on your phone:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208076

See how your phone's system works in case you ever need it, and pass it along!

Yep, have mine and at my insistence my families set up as well. It will also dial your emergency contacts for you.

I’d also encourage everyone to set up their emergency contacts and fill out the Health app. This can help emergency services or even a bystander contact your people if you become incapacitated and can’t give the info yourself.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

I was unaware of this feature. Thank u for sharing!

 

[NYCgrrl]

That's an awful lot of pressing in any kind of emergency situation.

I can open a locked iPhone by simply pressing the home button twice for 911.
Not sure if this is specific to the state I'm in or just a feature of the phone nationwide.

 

[Allison]

With this other way, you could have the phone down by your side and with one hand, still be calling without anyone else even knowing. (If you continue to hold down the side and volume buttons, for instance, it will count down from five and automatically call 911 if still held down.)

Can you easily do this with one hand down by your side? I don't think I really could.

 

[wenrob]

That's an awful lot of pressing in any kind of emergency situation.

I can open a locked iPhone by simply pressing the home button twice for 911.
Not sure if this is specific to the state I'm in or just a feature of the phone nationwide.

Sure but you also have to be actively engaged with the phone to do that. This can be set up to auto call. If someone has you or you’re in a situation where you don’t want to draw attention to yourself being able to rapidly push that button without ever taking it out of your pocket is an option that could save your life.

 

[wenrob]

Can you easily do this with one hand down by your side? I don't think I really could.

Why not? I just tested it and my thumb automatically goes to the power button and my forefinger to the volume button.

 

[Allison]

Why not? I just tested it and my thumb automatically goes to the power button and my forefinger to the volume button.

Adreline, nerves, fumbling around to do it correctly. Who knows.

 

[belleatdisney]

Thanks

 

[wenrob]

Adreline, nerves, fumbling around to do it correctly. Who knows.

I suppose but if that’s going to happen it can happen no matter how you go about calling for help. The two times in my life I had to dial 9-11 (on a landline) I spouted absolute nonsense when asked for an address. When they were taking me away in an ambulance and asked me who to call I said my husband and gave them my MIL’s number. For the life of me I could not get my DH’s work number out no matter how many times I tried. It doesn’t hurt to have it set up and have the option there, kwim? And if you have your emergency contacts set up at the very least they can get ahold of your people when you are not thinking straight or can’t give the info.

 

[wenrob]

Thanks

Not sure why you removed your question but yeah, I’m sure they do. Back in “the old days” they knew to look for an address book or something that might have info. Emergency Room staff used my uncle’s address book to contact my stepmother when he was in a motorcycle accident.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Sure but you also have to be actively engaged with the phone to do that. This can be set up to auto call. If someone has you or you’re in a situation where you don’t want to draw attention to yourself being able to rapidly push that button without ever taking it out of your pocket is an option that could save your life.

I don't need to be actively engaged; just press the home button twice (I do that all the time any ol way which is how I knew the function existed, LOL. My phone is biometrically and numerically protected) and press the screen on the left where it says "Emergency".

Still, it's nice to know that there is more than one way to get help assuming you can get a signal and your location settings are on. My location settings are always off unless I need it for the moment.

 

[kdonnel]

Another great part of this feature is that by pressing the power button five times the phone also disables biometric security. Your phone can no longer be unlocked with your face or finger print.

This is a great way to prevent authorities from gaining access to your phone after an arrest. The US Supreme Court has previously ruled that you can be compelled to provide biometric access but that you can not be compelled to provide passwords.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Can you easily do this with one hand down by your side? I don't think I really could.

Yes, easily. I tried it, it's simple.

 

[wenrob]

I don't need to be actively engaged; just press the home button twice (I do that all the time any ol way which is how I knew the function existed, LOL. My phone is biometrically and numerically protected) and press the screen on the left where it says "Emergency".

Still, it's nice to know that there is more than one way to get help assuming you can get a signal and your location settings are on. My location settings are always off unless I need it for the moment.

It does not auto dial for you it brings up a keypad for you to dial 9-1-1. So press twice, hit ‘emergency,’ dial 9-1-1 and then hit call. That’s actively engaged IMO. The other will either call right away if you have ‘auto call’ turned on or call after a count down if you do not stop it, you never have to look at the phone. It will also temporarily turn on your location services so you can be found even if you don’t have them on. I’m hoping to never have to use either but I like having a second option set up if the need arises.

eta: On iPhone 7 you have to have ‘auto call’ on for the countdown.

 

[wenrob]

Another great part of this feature is that by pressing the power button five times the phone also disables biometric security. Your phone can no longer be unlocked with your face or finger print.

This is a great way to prevent authorities from gaining access to your phone after an arrest. The US Supreme Court has previously ruled that you can be compelled to provide biometric access but that you can not be compelled to provide passwords.

Yeah, some people call it “the cop button.” The latest update you can also set it up to disable your lightning port after an hour of non use so a USB can’t be used to try and crack your passcode. I can’t imagine I’d ever need either but it’s nice to know the option is there.

 

[NYCgrrl]

It does not auto dial for you it brings up a keypad for you to dial 9-1-1. So press twice, hit ‘emergency,’ dial 9-1-1 and then hit call. That’s actively engaged IMO. The other will either call right away if you have ‘auto call’ turned on or call after a count down if you do not stop it, you never have to look at the phone. It will also temporarily turn on your location services so you can be found even if you have don’t them on. I’m hoping to never have to use either but I like having a second option set up if the need arises.

Never had need to try the emergency system since I got a cell phone 20 plus years ago but like I said great to know there is more than one way to activate. Good to know (sorta) that my location will auto turn on once a 911 call is made.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think the beauty of it is that you can choose the settings you want, and choose to use it or not.

 

[Imzadi]

FYI for Android users: Pressing the volume down button and the power button together only gives you a screenshot of your phone.

. . . Of course, it never works when you want a screenshot. Only when you do it by accident.

 

[StephMK]

Thank you so much for posting this! I just sent the apple support links to both of my DD. One just started college so this is very helpful.