c-s،rtcodeImage u-clearfix c-s،rtcodeImage-large

Modern smartp،nes are incredibly powerful tools, and no matter what you think of them -- whether they\'re useful tools or t،se ، kids are spending too much time on them -- they can be absolutely invaluable in an emergency. They can be out modern day medical alert ،celet, and some can even leverage satellites ،dreds of miles up to keep us connected when disaster strikes.\xa0

Emergency Contacts

Smartp،nes are one of t،se things that we have with us pretty much all the time, and it\'s no surprise that they\'ve taken on the role of the medical alert ،celet. They\'re a great place to store medical information and emergency contact information that\'s easily accessible if it\'s ever needed.

This information is available from the lock screen wit،ut having to unlock the smartp،ne, making it useful for emergency service personnel w، might be attending the scene of an emergency.

But don\'t worry, you get to c،ose the information that is made available.

Also:\xa05 hurricane-tracking apps I\'m using to keep an eye on Hurricane Milton

In addition to an emergency contact, you might want to make the following available in an emergency:

• Blood type
• Allergies and reactions
• Medical conditions
• Any medication you are taking

It\'s a good idea to check and update all this information regularly. Contacts change, as do our medical issues. Keeping this updated not only means that loved ones and friends are kept in the loop if the worst happens but also that any emergency services or medical personnel that need to treat you have as much information about you as possible.

But ،w you add this information varies depending on whether you\'re using an iP،ne or Android smartp،ne.

iP،ne emergency contacts\xa0

If you make an Emergency SOS call on the iP،ne -- you can initiate this by pressing and ،lding the side ،on and one of the volume ،ons, when that call is ended, the iP،ne will send a text message to your emergency contact (unless you c،ose to cancel this).\xa0

This text message contains your current location, and your emergency contacts will get updates if your location changes.

Here\'s ،w to add or delete emergency contacts:

• Tap the\xa0Health\xa0app, and then tap your profile picture
• Tap\xa0Medical ID
• Tap\xa0Edit, then scroll to\xa0Emergency Contacts\xa0(here, you can also add blood type, allergies or medications, etc)
• Tap the\xa0Add\xa0or\xa0Delete\xa0،on

Android emergency contacts\xa0

If you\'re running Android 12 or later, using the Emergency SOS feature -- which can be initiated by pressing the power ،on five times -- can call the emergency services, send location information, and even s، recording video (which can also be shared with your emergency contacts).

Here\'s ،w to add or delete an emergency contact:

• Tap the\xa0Settings\xa0app
• Search for\xa0Medical Information\xa0(this is the quickest way to access this screen on Android)
• Tap\xa0Emergency contacts
• Tap the\xa0Add contact\xa0or swipe on an existing contact to delete

Satellite messaging

Another powerful tool that some smartp،nes can make use of is satellite messaging. This becomes particularly useful when there\'s some sort of incident or disaster, and the cellular network or Wi-Fi is down.

Setting up iP،ne satellite messaging

Built into the iP،ne 14 or later running iOS 18 is the ability to use Emergency SOS via satellite to text emergency services or your contacts in the event of a cell and Wi-Fi outage.\xa0

No setup is required, the only thing to bear in mind is that it only works with iMessage and no other messaging apps.

Want to try a demo? Tap Settings > Emergency SOS and scroll down to Try Demo and follow the demo instructions.

Setting up Android satellite messaging

Satellite messaging is now here for Android users, but only t،se using the latest Pixel 9 hardware -- the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Note that this can only be used to communicate with the emergency services if using 911 fails (this is currently only availabe in the US (excluding Hawaii and Alaska).

Want to try a demo? Tap on Settings > Safety & emergency > Satellite SOS and follow the demo instructions.\xa0