We all hope we'll never need them, but having emergency contacts readily available on your phone can be a lifesaver.
Whether it's a medical emergency or an accident, having these contacts set up means help can reach you faster, and your loved ones can be informed quickly.
If you've not set up emergency contacts on your device yet, we highly recommend doing it at the earliest. Let's discuss how to add emergency contact on iPhone and Android devices.
Adding emergency contacts on your iPhone is pretty straightforward. You can do it through the Health app or the Contacts app. The process is similar across different iOS versions.
1 From the Health App
The Health app is a comprehensive tool for managing your medical information. By setting up your emergency contacts here, you're also creating a Medical ID that can be invaluable to first responders.
Here's how to add emergency contact on iPhone using the in-built Health app:
Step 1. Open the Health app on your iPhone, then tap on your profile picture.
Step 2. Select "Medical ID."
Step 3. Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner and scroll down to "Emergency Contacts."
Step 4. Tap the green "(+) add emergency contact" button to add a contact.
Step 5. Tap "Done" to save your changes.
After setting up your emergency contacts, consider filling out other sections of your Medical ID, such as allergies, medications, and blood type. This information can be crucial for medical professionals in an emergency situation.
2 From the Contacts App (Telephone address book)
If you want to add an emergency contact iPhone without setting up a full Medical ID, you can use the Contacts app.
Step 1. Open the "Contacts" app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Select the contact you want to set as an emergency contact.
Step 3. Tap "Add to Emergency Contacts."
Step 4. Choose the relationship of the contact to you, and tap "Done" to save.
Remember, you can add multiple emergency contacts using either method. It's a good idea to include at least two contacts in case one is unavailable during an emergency.
How to Access Emergency Contacts on a Locked iPhone?
Most of the time, our phones are locked. But don't worry, your emergency contacts are still accessible.
Step 1. Swipe up on the lock screen and tap "Emergency" in the bottom-left corner.
Step 2. Tap "Medical ID".
Step 3. Scroll down to view emergency contacts and medical information.
This way, if someone finds you unresponsive, they can still alert your emergency contacts without unlocking or compromising your phone's security.
How to Set Emergency Contact on Android?
Android devices offer several ways to set up emergency contacts. The exact steps might vary slightly depending on your Android version and device manufacturer, but the general process remains similar.
Here are a few different ways showing how to add emergency contact on Android phones:
1 Using Settings
Step 1. Open the "Settings" app.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on "Safety & emergency" (If you're using Android 11 or earlier, this menu can be found under the "Advanced Settings" option).
Step 3. Select "Emergency contacts".
Step 4. Tap "Add contact" and choose from your contact list.
Step 5. Once you've added all the contacts, go to "Safety & Emergency "> "Emergency SOS" and turn on the "Use Emergency SOS" toggle.
Pro Tip: If your Android phone doesn't show the exact steps mentioned below, you can simply search the Settings menu for keywords like Emergency, Emergency Contacts, or Emergency SOS. This way, you can quickly find the settings related to Emergency contacts even if the steps don't match.
2 Using the Contacts App
This method is particularly useful if you want to quickly designate someone as an emergency contact without navigating through the emergency settings menu:
Step 1. Open the "Contacts" app, and click on the "Organize" icon at the bottom right corner.
Step 2. Tap on "Emergency contacts."
Step 3. Tap on "Add Contact" and add one or more emergency contacts from the list.
3 Using the Phone App
Certain Android phones provide an option to set emergency contacts through the Phone app. Here's how to add emergency contact on Android using this method:
Step 1. Open the "Phone" app, and tap on the "Contacts" tab at the bottom right corner.
Step 2. Tap the three-dot menu and select "Emergency contacts."
Step 3. Tap "Edit" and add your chosen contacts.
Step 4. Tap "Done" or "Save" to update your emergency contact information.
Remember, the exact steps might differ based on your phone model and Android OS version. Always check your phone's specific instructions if you can't find these options.
Tip: After setting up your emergency contacts, take a moment to verify that they are correctly displayed on your device's emergency information screen. This screen is typically accessible from the lock screen by tapping "Emergency" or "Emergency Call."
How to Keep Your Loved Ones Safe?
Setting up emergency contacts is one of the ways. But you might want to take additional steps to ensure the safety of your loved ones, especially children.
Remote Camera: No matter how far away you are, this feature allows you to remotely open the front or back camera of your child's phone and observe their surroundings in real-time.
One-way Audio-Live Listening and Ambient Recording: The one-way audio feature allows you to listen to ambient sounds around your child's device in real-time, helping you detect potential dangers and ensure your child's safety.
Real-time Location Tracker: This function provides accurate, up-to-the-minute location information, allowing you to monitor your child's whereabouts and ensure they're in safe areas.
By combining these features with the emergency contacts you've set up on your child's phone, you can create a comprehensive safety net for your family.
Conclusion
Setting up emergency contacts on your phone is a simple step that could make a big difference in a crisis. It'll ensure you receive assistance as soon as possible.
Whether you're using an iPhone or Android, it only takes a few minutes to set up. Remember to keep these contacts updated and consider tools like AirDroid Parental Control for additional safety measures and comprehensive protection.
FAQs
How to Change Emergency Contact on iPhone?
Elsa
To change emergency contacts on your iPhone, open the Health App > Your profile picture > Medical ID > Edit. In the "Emergency Contacts" section, you can remove existing contacts by tapping the "red (-) icon" or add new ones by tapping the "green (+) icon."
Alternatively, open the Contacts app > find the contact you want to change > tap Edit. Scroll down to “Emergency Contact Info” and modify as necessary.
How to Add Medical Information on Android?
Elsa
Go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency information.
Once you’ve entered the information, it will be accessible from the lock screen by emergency responders or anyone assisting you in an emergency.
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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