How to Set Up Your Emergency Contacts and Medical ID on Your iPhone

Setting up the suite of emergency features on your iPhone isn’t the most fun you’ll have with the device, but it’s very important. In the event of a crisis, these will not be usable if you have not taken the time to configure them beforehand. The functionality ranges from contacts who will be automatically notified when something happens to a medical profile that first responders can use to help you properly.

Ever since Apple added these features to iOS in 2014, healthcare professionals have known to look for them. They can even replace keeping this information in your wallet, since you have your phone with you at all times. To stay prepared, you also need to memorize relevant shortcuts to handle any scenario that develops.

If you’ve never set up these features, taking a few minutes now could make a huge difference later. Even if you set up your emergency profile some time ago, some details may have changed, so it’s a good idea to check them regularly.

To create or change your medical ID on iPhone, open the Health app, select your profile picture at the top right and choose Medical ID card from the list.

You will see two sliders that control the visibility of the information you enter below. With Show when locked enabled, anyone can press Emergency > Medical identification on the password entry screen to view your information. Share during an emergency call is explicit, letting 911 know crucial details without you having to share them. You need to enable them because locking this information in your phone defeats the purpose.

As you scroll, you’ll see fields with basic medical information such as your age, medications you’re currently taking, allergies, and health status. If you wish, record your height, weight and blood type in Additional Information. There is also a place for Remarks if you have other concerns that don’t fit anywhere else. All of this data gives paramedics better information to determine what type of help you need.

Also on this page is your Emergency Contacts list. Designate here the people who must be alerted in the event of an extreme situation. Hit Add an emergency contact to choose from your existing list, then choose a relationship label. It’s a good idea to add multiple people, just in case a particular person isn’t available when the worst happens. You can always modify this list later.

These contacts are used in two ways. First, with everything mentioned above, the list is accessible to medical professionals or anyone else who finds your phone. They are able to contact these people to let them know what is happening in your home. Second, these people will be alerted and know your location when you use the Emergency SOS feature (which is different from your phone being stuck in SOS mode without service). To review the options for this, open Settings and select Emergency SOS from the list.

By default, Emergency SOS uses the same button combination as to turn off your iPhone: the Side button and either Volume button. However, you have to hold the buttons for several seconds longer than to turn off your device. This triggers a countdown with a loud sound, alerting you that a 911 call is about to occur. Activation Call by pressing 5 buttons adds a shortcut to press the Side button (on the right side) several times quickly. If this gesture is easier to perform, it is also easier to activate by mistake.

The alarm signals the outgoing call so you don’t contact 911 by mistake. Activation Call quietly disables this, making it easier to miss an accidental activation. If you don’t cancel via either method, the call goes through. If you call by mistake, it’s best to stay on the line and explain what happened.

Even if both of these options are disabled, you can still use the Emergency call cursor that appears on your phone’s power off screen. Furthermore, having Call after a serious accident can get you help when you are injured in an accident and can’t call. Emergency SOS, however, is not available via the action button (on the left side, above the volume buttons).

Although not grouped with the rest of the medical ID features, Emergency Bypass is a related tool that you shouldn’t miss. When enabled, the ringtone and/or text tone will play for a given person even when your phone is silent or in Focus mode. Use it sparingly with trusted people to call you only when something is seriously wrong, as it could wake you up or cause a scene if used at the wrong time.

Open it Contacts application, choose an entry, tap To modify on their page, then choose Ringtone Or Text tone as desired. Enable Emergency bypass for one or both. Unfortunately, it is not possible to enable this feature for all of your emergency contacts at once. While you are on this page, use Add to emergency contacts at the bottom for anyone you forgot to include earlier.

In some areas of the United States, texting 911 is an alternative option. Check Text to 911 to see if this is available where you are. It’s better to call than text because you can provide more information, but if talking puts you in danger or you can’t talk, texting can be a backup method. In some locations, 911 operators may ask to see the video feed from your phone’s camera.

Finally, with an iPhone 14 and newer, it is also possible to send emergency messages via satellite or make a call when no service is available. To test this, open Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner, tap the Connection toggle group and choose Satellite.