In a real emergency, nobody unlocks their phone, opens the dialler and types calmly.
Hands shake, and seconds matter.
Your phone has a shortcut built for that moment.
It only helps if it is set up before you need it.
What does Emergency SOS do?
It calls emergency services with a quick press of a button.
In India, the single emergency number is 112.
It can also send your emergency contacts a message with your location.
How do I set it up on Android?
Open Settings -> Safety & emergency -> Emergency SOS.
On some phones it is under Settings -> Advanced features or Safety and emergency.
Turn it on, and choose what happens: a call, a message to contacts, or both.
On most Android phones, you then trigger it by pressing the power button five times quickly.
How do I set it up on an iPhone?
Open Settings -> Emergency SOS.
Press and hold the side button and a volume button together to start an emergency call.
You can also switch on Call with 5 Button Presses.
Who are my emergency contacts?
People who receive a message when you use SOS.
On an iPhone, add them in the Health app under Medical ID.
On Android, add them in the Safety & emergency settings.
Pick two or three people who will act quickly, and tell them you added them.
What is Medical ID?
It is information doctors and first responders can see from your lock screen.
Blood group, allergies, medicines and conditions.
Fill it in, and turn on Show When Locked.
On Android, the same idea is called Emergency information.
Will I set it off by accident?
Sometimes, especially with the five-press option.
Most phones play a loud countdown first, so you can cancel.
If a call does go through, stay on the line and explain it was a mistake.
Things to Remember
- India's emergency number is 112.
- Turn on Emergency SOS in your phone's settings today.
- Add two or three emergency contacts, and tell them.
- Fill in Medical ID or Emergency information.
- Set it up on your parents' phones too, and show them how it works.