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If you’re ever in a situation where you need emergency services, did you know that your iPhone can now be used as an SOS beacon? With the Emergency SOS feature on iOS 11, you can quickly press the power button to call for help. Here’s how to use SOS mode on your iPhone:
System Requirements
The SOS mode is a feature of iOS 11, so you’ll need to have this version installed on your iPhone or iPad to use it. It is available for the iPhone 5s and later.
Set Up SOS Mode
To enable SOS mode, go to “Settings” and scroll down until you see the “Emergency SOS” section. This is just below “Touch ID & Passcode”. Tap on this and you’ll see an animation demonstrating how the feature is used on your device.
Note that the default method for the iPhone 8 Plus is to “hold down the side button and 1 of the volume buttons to make an emergency call,” but you can choose the “Call with Side Button” option to make the call by quickly pressing the side button five times in a row.
Slide the “Auto Call” button to the right to enable SOS mode. You can also set up “Emergency Contacts in Health”, but this is optional.
Finally, there is an option for “Countdown Sound”. This feature will audibly warn you that SOS mode has been activated and is about to contact the emergency services.
How to Use SOS Mode
If you need to use the SOS mode, press the power button five times in quick succession. You can do this even if the phone is locked. A countdown appears on the screen, starting at three. Press the “Stop” button below and then confirm it by pressing the “Stop Call” option that immediately appears.
Tap ID
It’s important to know that when you enter SOS mode, it also disables the Touch ID fingerprint scanner on your iPhone. This is useful if you are robbed or arrested and don’t want to be forced to unlock your device.
If you press the power button five times to access the emergency services option and then cancel or continue to call the emergency services from that screen, then iOS Touch ID will automatically lock so that it cannot be used to open the phone. You (or the agent who seizes your device) must enter a password to unlock it, and then Touch ID will work normally again.
In summary, the Emergency SOS feature on your iPhone could save your life in an emergency situation. Simply follow the instructions above to enable and use this life-saving feature.
Advanced Mobile Location (AML)
Apple has also added a new feature called Advanced Mobile Location (AML) to iOS 11.3. AML is a standardized technology used by many smartphone manufacturers to quickly give your location to emergency services. This feature can save the day in a crisis related to SOS mode.
AML is already available on Android phones since 2016, and now, it is finally coming to Apple devices with iOS 11.3.
FAQs
1. Can you get SOS mode on older iPhone models?
No. You must have an iPhone 5s or later to access SOS mode because it is a feature of iOS 11 and higher.
2. How does SOS mode affect Touch ID?
When you enter SOS mode, it also disables the Touch ID fingerprint scanner on your iPhone. This is a security measure to protect you from forced unlocking in danger situations.