What is SOS on iPhone?
What is SOS on iPhone?
Have you ever noticed the “SOS” on your iPhone and thought, “What’s that for?” It’s actually a smart emergency feature built right into your phone. If you’re ever in danger, feeling unsafe, or need help fast, SOS is there to connect you with emergency services and instantly let your trusted contacts know something’s wrong.
And the best part? You don’t need to unlock your phone or open any apps. Just press a couple of buttons, and your iPhone will handle the rest. It’s simple, fast, and honestly, it could make all the difference in a serious situation.
Now let’s break down exactly what it does, how to set it up, and what to expect when you use it.
Why Apple Created the sos on iphone
Making It Easy to Get Help Fast
That’s where sos on iphone comes in. Instead of trying to stay calm and navigate your phone like normal, you just press a few buttons and your iPhone jumps into action. It’ll call emergency services for you and even alert your emergency contacts if you’ve set them up.
SOS skips all that. It works even if your screen is locked and you can’t talk.
With just a quick press of some buttons, your iPhone can:
- Call the emergency number (like 911)
- Send a message to your emergency contacts
- Share your location with them
It’s quick, quiet if you need it to be, and works in most situations—even if your signal is weak.
Keeping You Safe Without Words
Let’s say you can’t talk or you’re in a place where speaking might put you in danger. SOS can still get help for you.
This feature is great for people who:
- Walk or travel alone
- Have medical conditions
- Want a little extra safety
How to Use sos on iphone
For sos on iphone on iPhone 8 or Newer
If you keep holding, your phone starts a countdown and then calls emergency services on its own.
It also plays a loud sound while the countdown happens to let you (and others) know what’s going on.
For iPhone 7 or Older
Using SOS on older iPhones is a bit different:
- Quickly press the power button
- The Emergency SOS slider will pop up.
- Slide it to call emergency services.
You can turn on the auto-call option in the settings if you want it to call for help right after the five presses, without needing to slide.
Change How SOS Works
You can choose if you want :
- Call help automatically
- Play a loud countdown sound
To change these, go to:
Settings > Emergency SOS
There, you can turn Auto Call and Countdown Sound on or off based on what feels right for you. If you want to stay quiet in a dangerous situation, turning off the sound might be smart. If you want people around to notice, keep the sound on.
What Happens When You Use SOS
Calls the Right Emergency Number for Your Location
The call uses your phone signal or Wi-Fi calling if signal isn’t strong. Your phone will also show any important health info you’ve added, like allergies or medical conditions, if you set it up in the Health app.
Sends Your Location to Your Emergency Contacts
Your iPhone sends a message to your emergency contacts after a call.
It tells them:
- You used SOS
- Where you are
And here’s the best part—your phone keeps sharing your location for a short time after the SOS. So if you’re moving, they’ll see where you go. This helps them or emergency workers find you fast.
You don’t have to do anything else. It all happens automatically after you use SOS.
Set Up SOS the Right Way
Add Emergency Contacts in the Health App
Before SOS can alert your loved ones, you need to set it up. Here’s how:
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap Medical ID.
- Fill in your medical info (like allergies, conditions, and medications).
- Scroll down to add your emergency contacts.
These are the people who’ll get alerts if you ever use SOS on your phone.
Check Your Settings
Once you’ve set everything up, take a minute to go to:
Settings > Emergency SOS
Here, you can:
- Turn on Auto Call so your phone calls help without you swiping
- Turn on or off the Countdown Sound
These small settings can make a big difference. Choose what feels right for your safety and comfort.
