SOS on an iPhone is built for emergencies. It is a feature designed to quickly call for help If or when you’re in danger or need urgent assistance. With this feature you can just a few button presses, your iPhone will:
- Call emergency services (You can dial 911 in the U.S and 999 in the UK, or 112 in Europe).
- Be Alert of your emergency contacts with a message that includes your real-time location.
- Update your location if you move after the SOS has been triggered.
This feature ensures that even if you’re unable to explain your situation,This feature will still help you.
How to Activate Emergency SOS
The method for activating SOS depends on your iPhone model you can see the all the iPhone models below with its functionality.
For iPhone 8 and Later (including iPhone 15)
- Just press and hold the Side button + one of the Volume buttons (either up or down).
- The Emergency SOS slider will appear. You can either:
- Drag the slider to make an emergency call immediately.
- Keep holding the buttons—after a few seconds, your iPhone will start a loud alarm and automatically dial emergency services.
For iPhone 7 and Earlier
- Rapidly press the Side (or Top) button five times in a row.
- The Emergency SOS slider will appear—drag it to call emergency services.
What Happens After You Call Emergency Services?
- Your iPhone will automatically detect your location and share it with first responders.
- If your location changes, your iPhone will update your emergency contacts for a period of time.
- Once the call ends, if you have emergency contacts set up, your iPhone will send them a message with your location.
Once the call ends, if you have emergency contacts set up, your iPhone will send them a message with your location.
How to Set Up Emergency Contacts
To fully use the SOS feature, it’s a good idea to set up Emergency Contacts in advance. Here’s how:
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture (top-right corner).
- Select Medical ID > Edit.
- Scroll to Emergency Contacts and tap Add Emergency Contact.
- Choose a contact from your list and select their relationship to you.
- Tap Done to save.
Once set up, these contacts will be automatically notified if you use Emergency SOS.
Customizing SOS Settings
You can adjust how SOS works on your iPhone by going to:
- Settings → Emergency SOS
- Here, you’ll find options like:
- Call with Hold – Holding the side + volume buttons will automatically call emergency services.
- Call with 5 Presses – Pressing the side button five times quickly will activate SOS.
- Countdown Sound – Your phone plays a loud alarm before calling (can be turned off if needed).
Why is This Feature Important?
The SOS feature can be life-saving in situations such as:
- Medical emergencies (e.g., heart attack, stroke, or injury).
- Personal safety threats (e.g., being followed or feeling unsafe).
- Car accidents (where you may be unable to reach your phone normally).
- Natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, or fires).
- Lost in an unfamiliar area and needing to quickly call for help.
What If You Trigger SOS By Accident?
It’s possible to accidentally activate SOS, especially if you hold your phone in a certain way. If this happens:
- If the countdown starts but hasn’t called yet: Simply release the buttons before the call is placed.
- If the call has already started: Tap End Call and confirm to cancel.
- If your emergency contacts received a message: Send them a quick text letting them know you’re safe.
SOS via Satellite (iPhone 14 & 15)
Apple introduced a groundbreaking feature with the iPhone 14 and later: Emergency SOS via satellite. This helps when you’re in an area with no Wi-Fi or cellular service.
What is SOS on iPhone & How it works:
- Dial emergency services as usual. If there’s no signal, your iPhone will prompt you to connect to a satellite.
- Follow on-screen instructions to position your phone correctly.
- Answer emergency prompts to provide details about your situation.
- Your location and emergency details will be sent to first responders.
This feature is especially useful for hikers, campers, or people traveling in remote areas.
Final Thoughts
SOS on an iPhone is one of those features you hope you never need, but it can be a lifesaver when you do. Whether it’s a medical emergency, a dangerous situation, or lost, knowing how to use SOS properly ensures you can get help quickly.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ By Activating the SOS function is really quick and easy—just press and hold buttons.
✔️ Your iPhone automatically contacts the emergency services and It also alerts your loved ones.
✔️ You can customize your settings as well as add emergency contacts for better safety.
✔️ iPhone 14 and later are offers satellite-base SOS for when you’re off the grid.
Do you have a SOS set up on your iPhone yet? If you haven’t, now’s a great time to do it! 🚨📱
