Your Smartphone’s Potentially Life Saving Hack

We all know how to call 911 in the case of an emergency. However, some situations may prohibit you from dialing from your smartphone using your keypad, so it’s important to be informed of the emergency functions that your smartphone has to offer.

iOS Phone and Devices

The iPhone (for all versions up to the 7 Plus) allows you to make an emergency call by pressing the Home button five times quickly. This will prompt an emergency SOS slider to pop up on the screen. When you slide ride right, the call will be made automatically. For the iPhone 8, the 8 Plus, and the X, the emergency SOS slider can be prompted by pressing and holding the side button and a volume button. Additionally, the iPhones 8, 8 Plus, and X include an Auto Call function that, when prompted by pressing and holding down the volume button and side button simultaneously, will count down from three aloud and call an emergency number when it reaches zero. This function can be turned off in your settings.

Android Phone and Devices

The Samsung Galaxy also offers its own version of the function called SOS Messages. When you press the power button quickly three times it sends an emergency message that includes your location, an audio message, and even a photo of your situation. The message is sent to four pre-selected contacts.

Importantly, this function needs to be manually set by the user. To do so, open the phone’s settings and select “Privacy and Emergency,” and then select “SOS Messages.” From there, it will walk you through the process.

Other Android phones may offer a native emergency function, however, you need to investigate each as manufacturers differ. Even if this feature isn’t available on your particular device, there are third-party apps designed to perform similar functions that can be downloaded. Just be sure to do some research to ensure that the app is secure.