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. 

It’s essentially a digital panic button — quick, discreet, and potentially life-saving. 

Whether you’re walking home late, traveling solo, or just want peace of mind, it’s worth knowing how it works. A few seconds could make all the difference. 

What is Emergency SOS? 

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. 

How to use Emergency SOS  

The following is how to use Emergency SOS with iPhones models 8 and above:  

The slide method: 

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons. 
2. When the Emergency Call (or Emergency SOS) slider appears, drag it to the right to call emergency services. 

The hold method: 

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons. 
2. Continue to hold the buttons to activate a countdown and alert sound. 
3. Hold the buttons until the countdown ends to automatically call 911. 

To use the Emergency SOS iPhone service on iPhone 7 or earlier, follow the steps below: 

1. Quickly press the side (or top) button five times. The Emergency Call slider will appear. 
2. Drag the slider to the right to call emergency services. 

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. 

What is Emergency SOS via Satellite and How Does it Work? 

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! 

In the Event of an Emergency - No signal 

1. First, make sure you try to call emergency services, as even if it shows that you have no signal you may be able to squeeze through. 
2. If your call does not connect to emergency services, DO NOT PANIC. So long as you have iOS 16.4 or above you can connect to them via satellite instead! 
3. Tap Emergency Text via Satellite. 
4. If you need help, not as an emergency, you may have the option to contact a road assistance provider (where available).  
5. If you cannot call, you can also text the local emergency number, then tap ‘Emergency Services’ 
6. Tap Report Emergency. 
7. Keep calm and tap away, providing answers for the emergency questions, best answering the emergency that you are in.  
8. Then you can choose whether to notify your emergency contacts of the fact you are in an emergency and the nature of it.  
9. Here you connect to a satellite by following the on-screen instructions.  
10. Once you are connected, continue to follow the on-screen instructions to stay connected while you send the message to emergency services. 

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.  

Before you Go Off the Grid 

If you're going somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, here are some ways to be prepared: 

1. Confused by the complexities of how Emergency SOS works? Scared you may not be able to work it out in the event of an emergency? Try the Emergency SOS Demo on your iPhone now; To learn how Emergency SOS via satellite works, try the demo.  
2. Your iPhone can support you, but it needs your information first! Make sure in preparation you fill in the Medical ID and create emergency contacts on your phone. You can do this by:  
3. Tap on your profile picture. 
4. Select Medical ID. 
5. Tap Edit (in the upper-right corner). 
6. Scroll down to “Emergency Contacts.” 
7. Tap the “+” icon (you’ll see “Add emergency contact”). 
8. Select a contact and enter their relationship. 
9. Tap “Done.” 

How Does Emergency SOS via Satellite Apply to Students?  

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! 

How does Emergency SOS Apply to Students? 

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