Little-known iPhone hack that could save your life

This isn’t clickbait — it’s a tiny setup that takes a few minutes and can make a huge difference in an emergency. Your iPhone can automatically call emergency services and share critical medical info and your location with the right people — even from the lock screen. Here’s exactly what to do.

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Why this matters

If you’re unconscious, injured, or can’t speak, first responders and loved ones need two things fast: who you are / medical info and where you are. iPhone’s Emergency SOS + Medical ID features deliver both — automatically — if you set them up.

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Step-by-step: set it up now (takes ~5 minutes)

1) Create your Medical ID (shows on lock screen)

1. Open the Health app.

2. Tap your profile picture (top right) → Medical ID → Edit.

3. Fill in important info: medical conditions, allergies, medications, blood type, organ donor, etc.

4. Toggle Show When Locked to On so first responders can view it without unlocking your phone.

5. Tap Done.

Why: EMTs can access this from the lock screen (swipe up → Emergency → Medical ID), which can be lifesaving if you can’t communicate.

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2) Add Emergency Contacts (they get your location after SOS)

1. In Medical ID → Edit, scroll to Emergency Contacts → Add Emergency Contact.

2. Pick contacts from your address book and specify relationship.

3. Tap Done.

Why: After an Emergency SOS call, iPhone can automatically notify these contacts with your current location and updates if it changes.

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3) Configure Emergency SOS behavior

1. Open Settings → Emergency SOS.

2. Enable the options that suit your phone:

   • Call with Hold (press and hold side button + volume button)

   • Call with 5 Presses (rapidly press the side button 5 times) — available on some models

   • Auto Call (if offered): automatically dials emergency services after the countdown

3. Review the visual countdown and vibration options so you know what to expect.

Why: Knowing which trigger works for your iPhone prevents panic and accidental delays when seconds count.

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4) Turn on Share During Emergency (if available)

Some iOS versions include an option to share medical ID info and location during an emergency call. Check Settings → Emergency SOS for any “Share During Emergency Call” or similar toggle and enable it.

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5) Make sure Location Services are on

1. Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → On.

2. For full reliability, enable location for Find My and Maps.

Why: Emergency contact location updates rely on Location Services.

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6) Bonus: enable Fall Detection (Apple Watch) & Family Sharing

• If you have an Apple Watch, turn on Fall Detection in the Watch app — it can call emergency services automatically if you take a hard fall and don’t respond.

• Use Family Sharing so family members can easily locate and help each other.

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How to trigger Emergency SOS (common methods)

• iPhone X and later: Press and hold the side button + either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears — keep holding to auto-call.

• Older iPhones: Rapidly press the side/top button 5 times to bring up the Emergency SOS slider.
  (Behavior can vary by model and iOS version — check Settings → Emergency SOS on your device.)

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Important safety notes

• Test carefully — don’t accidentally call emergency services. Use a friend/company test or consult your local non-emergency line first if you want to verify notifications.

• Emergency contacts will receive location data after an SOS call is placed — make sure you’re comfortable with that.

• This is not a substitute for local safety plans, but it’s a powerful backup.

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Quick checklist (copy-paste to do now)

• Health app → Medical ID → fill details → Show When Locked = On

• Add Emergency Contacts in Medical ID

• Settings → Emergency SOS → enable Call with Hold/5 Presses/Auto Call as desired

• Settings → Privacy → Location Services = On

• (Optional) Enable Fall Detection on Apple Watch; enable Family Sharing