EMERGENCY SOS features on iPhones and Androids could help you out in a dangerous situation.
The features on a phone take a few minutes to set up but could ultimately save a life.
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Everyone knows how to dial 911 (or 999 in the UK) to get help fast.
Technology today, however, has built-in emergency features making it easier than ever to save a life.
The feature can alert emergency services as well as your contacts if you’re ever in danger.
To set up these emergency functions just follow the steps below.
How do you activate Emergency SOS on an iPhone?
Apple has created an Emergency SOS system for iPhone that will discretely ring 999 or the emergency number for your area and send your location to your contacts.
If you have an iPhone 8 or later, you need to hold the power button and one of the volume keys down at the same time.
You should see “Emergency SOS” pop up on the screen and it will begin to countdown for a few seconds before ringing the emergency services.
Make sure you keep hold of both buttons.
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If you’ve set up a list of emergency contacts it will send them your location after your call with the emergency services disconnects.
If you have an iPhone 7 or later you’ll need to press the power button five times fast and then slide your finger across the “Emergency SOS” button that appears on the screen.
If you don’t slide the button then an alarm will start sounding.
How do you set up emergency contacts on an iPhone?
Open your Apple Health app and click “Medical ID.”
Then select “Edit” and set up a Medical ID if you haven’t already.
This can help warn emergency services about any pre-existing medical conditions should you be found unconscious but have your iPhone with you.
Then scroll to the “Add emergency contact” option and add as many people as you like.
How do you activate emergency features on an Android?
The emergency features on Android are slightly different compared to Apple, but there’s still a way to send your location to contacts and set up a medical ID.
Go to your lock screen and click “Emergency”.
Then click “Emergency information” and then either a plus sign or a pencil symbol depending on your phone.
You’ll be asked for a password and can then update your medical information and add any emergency contacts.
You can also download Google’s Trusted Contacts app, which lets you send a location as well as request the location of a friend.
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Download the app, sign in and then start creating your desired contact list.
All you need to do is click “Add Contacts” to make your list.
For this to work those contacts will need to download the app on their phone too and approve your request for them to be an emergency contact.
The app is also available for iPhones so your contacts don’t just have to be Android users.
Once set up, friends will be able to request your location and see if your phone battery is low.
You’ll be able to do the same to them.
To send a location alert you need to go to the main screen of the app, pick a contact and click “Send location alert now.”
Your location will be shared for 24 hours unless you click the “Stop” button.
You can also click on a contact’s name and request for their location.
If they don’t share it after a five-minute default time then the app on their phone will automatically share their location for them.
In other news, your iPhone keeps track of where you go, the date you went and even how many times you’ve been to a particular location.
Controversial social media platform Parler has reportedly been banned from returning to iPhone.
And, a new feature for the Apple Find My app could let you know if someone is stalking you.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
