Simple voice calls have long been useful for getting help in a crisis, but today’s smartphones can do so much more. Many can even automatically contact emergency services if you’re incapacitated.
Your phone can give warnings for dangerous situations like storms, floods, wildfires and earthquakes. And if you’re stranded out of network range, many newer devices can connect to a satellite for requesting assistance. Here’s an overview.
Getting Started
First, take time to explore your phone’s settings and menus. Find the places to list emergency contacts, your medical information, permission to share your location and other vital details that can get aid to you faster.
To see your phone’s wireless emergency alert controls, open the main settings app. On most Android devices, scroll to Safety & Emergency and tap Wireless Emergency Alerts. On an iPhone, tap Notifications and scroll down to the Government Alerts section.
Earthquake Warnings
Even if it’s just a few seconds of notice, a warning that an earthquake is about to hit can give you time to find cover. Both Android and iOS include earthquake warnings for light shaking — or for a more serious quake. (Alerts may not be available in all areas, and some earthquakes may go undetected.)
In California, Oregon and Washington, Google has teamed up with the U.S. Geological Survey and its ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system to bring the alerts to Android-based phones (including Samsung Galaxy models).
Elsewhere, the Android Earthquake Alert System turns the more than two billion Android phones out there into pocket seismometers by crowdsourcing and analyzing accelerometer data from the devices. Go to Settings to Safety & Emergency and tap Earthquake Alerts to check the setting and to see a demo.
On an iPhone, tap Settings, select Notifications and scroll down to Enhanced Safety Alerts. Tap it to see the toggles for Earthquake Alerts and Imminent Threat Alerts (for sudden storms, active shooters and other dangers).
For Pacific coastal states, the Seismology Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, offers the free MyShake app for early warnings.
Automotive Accidents
Thanks to the accelerometer and other components, your phone may be able to detect a serious car accident — and automatically dial 911 with your location information if you are incapacitated.
If your Android phone supports this feature, you should see a Car Crash Detection option in the Safety & Emergency menu in the phone’s settings. Many Google Pixel phones offer it.
The feature is included on iPhone 14 models running iOS 16 and later. You can find it by going to Settings, selecting Emergency SOS and looking under Crash Detection.
Emergency Communications
Most phones offer a silent shortcut for calling emergency services during a crisis, usually by pressing the power button five times or holding down a side button. Look for the Emergency SOS menu in the settings to configure it on an iPhone, Pixel, Motorola or Galaxy device.
No network signal? If you’re outdoors with a clear view of the sky, a satellite connection might come to the rescue. The SOS service was originally free for the first two years of new phone ownership. Apple and Google have extended the offer for an extra year, but expect a notice when things change. (Some wireless carriers, including Verizon and T-Mobile, also have general satellite options with certain plans, or charge an extra $10 a month with others.)
Google has included Satellite SOS to get help by text message on its recent Pixels. You can set it up and see a demo by going to Settings to Safety & Emergency and tapping Pixel Satellite SOS. Samsung has also been adding the satellite option to certain Galaxy phones.
You can try a demonstration of the experience by going to Settings to Emergency SOS to Emergency SOS via Satellite and tapping Try Demo. (Apple has a Roadside Assistance satellite text service for stranded drivers and nonemergency text by satellite, too.)
Exploring these tools for physical safety may not be the most exciting part of phone ownership. But in an unpredictable world, it’s good to know they’re there before you need them.
