Set up SOS on your smartphone. One button can save your life

Home ›Set SOS on your smartphone. One button can save your life 03/12/2021 14:21 photo: dobreprogramyArkadiusz Stando

We are never able to predict what might happen. Even a simple walk can end in tragedy. We will not run away from danger, but it is worth trying to protect ourselves, because prudent is always insured.

Currently, smartphones with Android and iOS systems allow you to set the alarm function and trusted contacts. Unfortunately, many users do not even know about it. Manufacturers in their advertisements talk about the amazing functions of the camera more often than about how a smartphone can affect our security.

The Emergency SOS function in iPhone - how to set it and what to remember?

The first step to setting up an Emergency SOS on iPhone is to add ICE contacts. This acronym stands for "in case of emergency" and in practice it serves as information for first responders to inform in the event of an accident. On the iPhone, ICE contacts will also serve as trusted persons to whom a message will be sent asking for help in case of an emergency. Usually they are family members or close friends.

You can contact the emergency number yourself, but in many situations it may not be possible. Therefore, you should enable the "Call automatically" option. After starting it, you can call for help by pressing the side button five times. The iPhone will start counting down and play an alarm sound. After the countdown is complete, it will automatically call the emergency services.

How do I turn on the SOS auto call function?

In addition to this feature, it's worth adding medical information to the iPhone as well. They may be necessary in the event of an accident. To add your medical card, follow these steps:

You must also set the "Show on lock" option. Thanks to this, in a life-threatening situation, strangers will be able to check how to help us. To share your medical card with emergency services, turn on Share during an emergency call.

Setting the SOS alarm on smartphones with the Android system

Not all Android smartphones have the SOS alarm function. Unfortunately, the base will only be available in Android 12. It does not mean, however, that your smartphone does not have it. You can check it easily by going to the settings and searching for the password "SOS".

For example, Samsung smartphones have been able to set an SOS alarm for several years. Just like in the iPhone, we will run it in the same way (screenshot below). Unfortunately, she will not contact us directly with the emergency services, as in the case of Apple, but will send a message to our loved ones. Samsung will provide information about our location, but it is also possible to send recorded ambient sound as well as photos from the front and rear cameras.

Xiaomi also provides the SOS alarm option for devices with the MIUI 10 overlay version and above. Similarly in the case of Huawei EMUI, in which the SOS function was developed from version 9.0.

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