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There is a chance that everyone who will read this article may have to contact the emergency services at some point within their lifetimes. When doing so, Emergency SOS is available to offer you additional safety or help!
Emergency SOS is a built-in safety feature on smartphones that helps you get help fast in a crisis — no need to unlock your phone or open any apps. It's designed for real emergencies, like accidents, medical issues, or personal safety concerns.
The following is how to use Emergency SOS with iPhones models 8 and above:
The slide method:
The hold method:
To use the Emergency SOS iPhone service on iPhone 7 or earlier, follow the steps below:
Once the call with emergency services ends, your emergency contacts will receive a text message with your current location, unless you choose to cancel the call. Your iPhone will temporarily turn on location tracking if it is turned off and update your contacts if your location changes too.
Do you have an iPhone 14 or a later generation? If so, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite! This service can be utilised to contact the emergency services, if you are off the grid with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Although not a hugely common sight in the UK, there is every possibility that you may end up in exceptional circumstances, in an emergency with no signal. This is why Apple have developed Emergency SOS via satellite, which can connect you with emergency services when you have no signal!
Once you have managed to connect yourself to a satellite, your iPhone will start a text conversation with emergency services. It will do so by providing critical information, such as your Medical ID information (set it up now!), the emergency questionnaire answers, your location (including the elevation you are at), and even the remaining battery life on your iPhone.
If you're going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, here are some ways to be prepared:
Have you ever been somewhere in the UK without a cellular connection? Often referred to as ‘Not-Spots’, where a person cannot get connection to reliable 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G. As much as there is a limited number of Not-Spots around Bristol, the United Kingdom is in abundance of them. See the following images Provided by ‘Farrpoint’.
(Images from 09/04/2025 - New mobile not-spots map of the UK - FarrPoint)
You never know if you will be in one of these Not-Spots in the UK, or even abroad on a holiday. It will never hurt to be prepared for something that may never affect you, however, 10 minutes of your time to get your head around Emergency SOS may save a life one day!
Every second counts in the event of an emergency, and with Emergency SOS on iPhone, you statistically speed up response times. A small change from dialling 999, that can potentially save lives in critical situations. In addition to quicker response times, it can help aid anxious overthinkers, by providing access to the emergency services one button away. Here is a list of why Emergency SOS is so important:
Quicker Responses
Location Tracking
Efficiency
Ease of Mind
Emergency SOS is more than just a tech feature — it's a personal safety tool that every iPhone user should be familiar with. Whether you're on campus, traveling, or simply going about your daily routine, understanding how to activate and use this system could make all the difference in a crisis. Take a few minutes today to set it up and practice how it works. It's a small step that could save your life — or someone else’s — tomorrow
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