When Disaster Strikes (or When You Trip Over Your Cat...Again) : How to Activate Emergency SOS on Your iPhone
Let's face it, emergencies are no laughing matter. But that doesn't mean your iPhone's emergency SOS feature can't be a lifesaver (or at least a feline trip-avoider) with a dash of user-friendliness.
Here's the lowdown on how to get help, stat, using your trusty iPhone:
Hold On (Literally)! The Two Ways to Activate Emergency SOS
There are two main ways to trigger Emergency SOS, depending on your iPhone model and your level of flailing about:
The Hold and Release (for iPhone 8 and later): This method is kind of like a handshake gone wrong. Just press and hold the side button (that's the one on the right side of your phone) along with one of the volume buttons (up or down, it doesn't matter). Keep holding on tight until you see an Emergency SOS slider appear. Drag the slider to make the emergency call.
The Five-Time Clicker (for iPhone 7 or earlier): If you're more of a rapid-fire button masher, this one's for you. Quickly press the side button five times in a row. An Emergency SOS slider will appear, just like in the hold-and-release method. Drag that slider to get help on the way.
But Wait, There's More! (Optional Features)
Countdown Chaos: If you keep holding those buttons instead of dragging the slider (we've all been there in the heat of the moment), a countdown will start along with a lovely blaring alert. Let go of the buttons after the countdown, and your iPhone will automatically call emergency services.
Emergency Contact Crew: Want your nearest and dearest to know about your little emergency situation? You can set up emergency contacts in your Health app. When you use Emergency SOS, your iPhone can send them a message letting them know what's going on (with your location, of course, assuming you haven't gotten yourself stuck in a telephone booth).
Remember: Don't be shy about using Emergency SOS, even if it's a false alarm (like you tripping over the cat...again). It's always better to be safe than sorry. Plus, there's no judgment from your iPhone (unless Siri decides to crack a joke, but hey, that's just Siri being Siri).
## Emergency SOS FAQ
How to activate Emergency SOS on iPhone 8 and later?
Press and hold the side button along with one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Drag the slider to call emergency services.
How to activate Emergency SOS on iPhone 7 or earlier?
Rapidly press the side button five times in a row. An Emergency SOS slider will appear. Drag the slider to call emergency services.
What happens if I keep holding the buttons instead of dragging the slider?
A countdown will start and an alert will sound. If you let go of the buttons after the countdown, your iPhone will automatically call emergency services.
How to set up emergency contacts on iPhone?
Open the Health app and tap on your profile picture. Then, tap on "Medical ID" and "Edit." Under "Emergency Contacts," tap "Add Emergency Contact."
Can I accidentally activate Emergency SOS?
It is possible to accidentally activate Emergency SOS, but it is designed to require a deliberate action.
