Apple Watch is more than just a smartwatch; it can be a lifeline in emergencies. With the Emergency SOS feature, you have the power to quickly call for help when you need it most. In this article, we'll explore how Apple Watch's Emergency SOS works and how to use it effectively.
1. Understanding Emergency SOS
Emergency SOS is a feature designed to help you get assistance swiftly in critical situations. It's particularly useful for medical emergencies, accidents, or when you feel unsafe. Here's how it works:
When you initiate an Emergency SOS call from your Apple Watch, it not only contacts emergency services but also shares your location with them, making it easier for them to find you.
You can also choose to notify your emergency contacts, such as family members or friends, so they're aware of the situation.
2. How to Make an Emergency SOS Call
To make an Emergency SOS call from your Apple Watch:
Press and hold the side button: On Apple Watch Series 4 and later, there's a dedicated side button for this purpose. Hold it down until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
On older models, pressing and holding the side button will activate the Emergency SOS slider.
Drag the slider: Once the slider appears, drag it to the right to start the call.
Wait for the countdown: Apple Watch will start a countdown and emit a loud alarm. You can cancel the call during this countdown if it was triggered accidentally.
The call is placed: After the countdown, your Apple Watch will automatically call emergency services in your region.
3. Setting Up Emergency Contacts
Before you use Emergency SOS, it's a good idea to set up your emergency contacts:
Open the "Apple Watch" app on your paired iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on "Emergency SOS."
Under the "Emergency Contacts" section, tap "Add Emergency Contact."
Select a contact from your iPhone's contacts list.
Confirm your choice, and the contact will be added.
4. Using Fall Detection
On Apple Watch Series 4 and later, there's also a Fall Detection feature that can automatically call emergency services if it detects a hard fall followed by immobility. This feature can be enabled or disabled in the "Emergency SOS" settings on your Apple Watch.