Apple makes a large deal about how the iPhone can protect your privateness and security measures . But the company takes yourphysicalsafety just as seriously . Over the years , Apple has introduced a horde of features meant to help you out in a dire hand brake . Some you probably eff or have heard about , others find like lesser - known closed book .
Here are some of the most important physical safety features of your iPhone and how to use them . They may seem optional , or even bothersome , but someday one of them could literally store your life .
Contact emergency services without dialing 911
Perhaps one of the bare things your iPhone can do to keep you safe is to call emergency services . But it ’s not always loose to just call 911 . For those instances when you ca n’t take your phone out of your pocket or handbag , or need to call quietly , Apple has made it possible to do so .
First , open setting , then scroll down toEmergency SOS . You ’ll see several selection there .
By default , your iPhone will call pinch service when you press and hold the side release and either volume clitoris down . A loud alarm will voice and the screen will flash , and a countdown will depart to give you time to lift on your screen to set off . When the countdown is over , release the clitoris , and emergency services will automatically be call .
Some people with certain disabilities may find that motion unmanageable , so theCall with 5 Button Pressesoption get you rapidly press just the side button alone five time to start the countdown . Your iPhone will mechanically call when the countdown ends .
The gimcrack siren might be suitable , but in some situation , you might put yourself in more peril by alert citizenry nearby that you are call for avail . So you’re able to enable aCall Quietlyfeature . The countdown will still take place on your iPhone ’s concealment , but it wo n’t flaunt and the siren will be silence .
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Let first responders know your medical stats
In the Health app , you could set some pinch medical information calledMedical IDthat can moderate important medical information such as chronic conditions you may have , drug or interactions , and an emergency contact lens .
This data can be display during an emergency call or made approachable even on a locked iPhone . So if you get in an accident , a first responder can see if you have any special shape or are on any medicinal drug that could affect your treatment .
To set it up , spread the Health app , then knock your visibility depiction in the upper rightfulness . TapMedical ID , and thenEdit .
Get critical government alerts
bet on where you hold up , your iPhone may be capable to institutionalize out special alerts from your national or local government in the grammatical case of a pending exigency or tragedy . This could be an AMBER qui vive ( which help line up abducted children ) or a public safety gadget alert for something like an evacuation rules of order .
Open configurations , thenNotifications . Scroll all the elbow room down past all your applications to find theGovernment Alertssection . This will be a little dissimilar in every region , so peruse your alternative here , and look in the menus to correct visual notifications and audio .
Eliminate distractions while driving
Distracted drive kills over 3,000 masses a year and hurt hundreds of K more in the U.S. alone . Apple used to have a dedicated “ Do Not Disturb while repulse ” feature , but in iOS 15 , Apple introduce a new “ Driving ” focus that turns on mechanically when your phone detects that you ’re driving – using stimulant from your accelerometer and things like looking for a Bluetooth connectedness to a cable car infotainment organisation or CarPlay connection .
When in this mode , your notification will be shut up . If someone messages you they ’ll get an automatic response that secernate them that you ’re driving , but they can “ break through ” and give notice you in an emergency . To turn it on , opened configurations , then selectFocus . If you do n’t see theDrivingfocus there , tap the “ Add ” release ( + ) in the upper right .
Of of course , all of this is optional and configurable . you may choose to countenance sealed notifications through or message from sure liaison . you’re able to choose to silence all your phone calls and send them straight to voice chain mail or take into account your pet contacts through .
Contact emergency services without cell reception
You ’ll demand at least an iPhone 14 run iOS 16.1 or later to practice this feature , but it can ferment your iPhone into a real line of life if you ’re in an sphere with no cellphone reception . Open options thenEmergency SOSand gyre to the bottom to see anEmergency SOS via Satellitesection . you could essay a demo of the feature there .
There ’s nothing to coiffe up , really . If you direct an emergency services call ( 911 , 999 , or 112 for example ) and it fails to link , you ’ll see a prompt to try a orbiter connection . You ’ll get a few broad questions about the nature of the emergency brake , to keep the text as poor as potential . You ’ll have to point your sound at a satellite and keep it there ( on - screen prompts will steer you ) .
If your local emergency services ca n’t receive texts , an intermediary service will literally call them for you and relay your information .
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Automatically contact emergency services after a crash
Also a feature of the Apple Watch Series 8 , Ultra , and SE , the better accelerometer and gyroscope sensors Apple add to those equipment and the iPhone 14 line countenance them todetect if you ’ve been in a car crash . You ’ll find the on/off switch for this stage setting in preferences > Emergency SOS .
There have been some reports of mistaken positives , with the iPhone calling emergency services when users are ski or riding roller coaster so there are clip when you might want to turn it off . However , it ’s also already proven to be a life - saving feature film .
Make an emergency call if you can’t unlock your iPhone
Perhaps you ’ve been in an chance event and are having worry unlocking your iPhone . Or your iPhone has been destroyed and ca n’t be reached . Whatever the reason , you may make an parking brake earphone call from alockediPhone .
lift up on a locked iPhone – when confront ID break down ( or if the iPhone has Touch ID ) you ’ll see the number pad to accede the owner ’s passcode . Simply tap “ Emergency ” in the lower exit to get the speech sound computer keyboard . In some area , you’re able to even call emergency phone number admit 911 , 999 , or 112 without a SIM activated at all .
This dialer will also showMedical IDin the lower left if the phone ’s proprietor has set it up . If you ’re using someone else ’s phone who was also in an emergency , you might want to intercept that to see if they have any particular aesculapian conditions or a listed parking brake contact you could call .
