How to use Emergency SOS on iPhone and Android

What Emergency SOS does, in one paragraph

Emergency SOS is the built-in shortcut that calls your local emergency number (911 in the US, 112 across Europe, 999 or 112 in the UK) without unlocking the phone or dialing. On both iPhone and Android it can also message the emergency contacts you saved and keep them updated with your location for a while. It is part of the operating system, so there is nothing to install. An "emergency SOS app" from the App Store or Google Play adds other things on top (a trusted circle, a walk-home timer, a monitored service), but the button press that reaches 911 is already on your phone. Every step below follows Apple's iPhone User Guide (iOS 27; the iOS 26 version shows the same steps), Google's Android help and Samsung's support pages, read on 7 November 2026. The easiest way to make sure your partner, family or friends hear about it at the same moment, on iPhone and Android alike, is Warden (top pick); more on that after the steps.

iPhone: how to use Emergency SOS

Apple describes three ways to start an emergency call on an iPhone (Apple: Contact emergency services).

Method 1: hold the side button and a volume button

1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button at the same time.
2. Keep holding when the sliders appear. A countdown starts and a warning sound plays.
3. When the countdown on Emergency SOS ends, release the buttons. Your iPhone calls emergency services.

If you'd rather not wait for the countdown, drag the Emergency Call slider instead.

Method 2: press the side button five times

1. Open Settings > Emergency SOS.
2. Turn on Call with 5 Presses.
3. In an emergency, press the side button five times quickly. The countdown starts, then the call.

Method 3: from the Lock Screen

1. On the Passcode screen, tap Emergency.
2. Dial the emergency number (for example, 911 in the US) and tap the call button.

India is different

Apple lists its own steps for India: quickly press the side button three times until the sliders appear and the countdown ends. With Accessibility Shortcut turned on, you use the side button plus either volume button instead (Apple).

What happens after the call

Apple says that after an emergency call ends, your iPhone alerts your emergency contacts with a text message unless you cancel it. It sends your current location if available, and for a period of time after you enter SOS mode your contacts get updates when your location changes (Apple). That only happens if you added emergency contacts first: see how to add emergency contacts on iPhone. Apple also notes that your contacts are not notified automatically if Messages is not your selected texting app or has been deleted (Apple Watch guide).

In the US and Canada, your Medical ID can be shared automatically during the emergency call when Emergency Call is turned on in Medical ID (Apple: Medical ID).

Text 911 instead of calling

Where available, open Messages, type 911 (or your local emergency number) in the To field, describe your emergency and tap Send. Apple says this isn't available in all countries or regions.

Emergency SOS settings on iPhone

Go to Settings > Emergency SOS. Apple lists these switches (Apple, Apple: Crash Detection):

If an SOS keeps going off in your pocket, or you want to change these switches, see how to turn off Emergency SOS.

Emergency SOS via satellite

With iPhone 14 or later, you can text emergency services via satellite when you have no cellular and no Wi-Fi coverage (Apple: Emergency SOS via satellite):

1. First try to call your local emergency number. Even without your own carrier, the call may connect.
2. If it doesn't, tap Emergency Text via Satellite (or open Messages, text 911 or your local number, then tap Emergency Services).
3. Tap Report Emergency and answer the short questions with taps.
4. Choose whether to notify your emergency contacts.
5. Go outside with a clear view of the sky and horizon and follow the on-screen pointing instructions.

Apple says the feature is free for two years after activating an iPhone 14 or later, and lists the countries where it works, including the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Japan and others (some need iOS 16.2, 16.4, 17.6, 18.4 or 26.4). Try the Satellite Connection demo at home so you know what pointing at a satellite feels like.

Android: how to use Emergency SOS (Pixel and stock Android)

Google says Emergency SOS needs Android 12 or later, so it is there on Android 14, 15 and 16 (Google: Get help during an emergency). On a Google Pixel and most phones that use Google's Safety app, the setting lives under Safety & emergency.

Set it up

1. Open Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS.
2. At the bottom right, tap Start setup.
3. Confirm the emergency number (tap Change number if it's wrong), then Next.
4. To share your location with emergency contacts, tap Start setup > Set up, then Add contact and choose what to share.
5. Allow the Personal Safety app to use your location: Next > While using the app.
6. Optional: turn on emergency video recording and choose Share automatically after backup.
7. Choose how SOS starts: Use touch & hold to start actions or Start actions immediately after countdown (turn on Play alarm sound if you want the alarm).
8. Tap Done.

Use it

1. Press the power button five times or more.
2. Depending on your settings, touch and hold inside the red circle for 3 seconds, or wait for the 5-second countdown.
3. The call starts; emergency sharing and video recording begin too if you switched them on.

Google warns that Emergency SOS doesn't work in airplane mode or with Battery Saver on, and that real-time location sharing with your contacts needs a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.

Emergency sharing and Safety Check (Android's extras)

The same Safety app has two features people often confuse with SOS (Google):

• Emergency sharing: open the Safety app, tap Emergency sharing, pick contacts and tap Share. They see your real-time location and battery; it ends automatically after 24 hours.
• Safety Check: open the Safety app, tap Safety Check, pick a reason and a duration of up to 24 hours, then your contacts. If you don't answer the check-in within 60 seconds (I'm OK, Start sharing now or Call 911), emergency sharing starts. Apple's version of this is called Check In: see Check In on iPhone.

Samsung Galaxy: Emergency SOS on One UI

Samsung puts it under Safety and emergency (no ampersand) and uses the side key (Samsung US):

1. Open Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS.
2. Optional: turn on Require swipe to call, so you must swipe the SOS Call icon after the five presses.
3. Tap Countdown and pick how long to wait before actions start (useful if you press the key by accident).
4. Leave Play warning sound on or off.
5. Tap Emergency number to call and check the number.
6. Turn on Send SOS to emergency contacts, tap Continue, allow permissions, then Add contacts.
7. In an emergency, press the side key five times in a row.

Samsung says the phone needs an active SIM to send the SOS alert. Your location, a photo and a voice recording go out with the first call, then updated locations every 15 minutes for 24 hours until you stop the alert; this also applies to Galaxy Watch. Emergency sharing (under Safety and emergency) sends a message with your location and low-battery warnings, optionally with pictures and a 5-second audio clip.

Troubleshooting Emergency SOS

"SOS" or "SOS only" in the iPhone status bar. That isn't Emergency SOS going off. Apple says it means you aren't connected to your own cellular network but can still make emergency calls through other networks (shown in Australia, Canada and the US). Turn Airplane Mode on for at least 15 seconds and off again, restart, check Settings > General > About for a carrier settings update, and call your carrier if it stays (Apple).

My emergency contacts didn't get a text (iPhone). Check that contacts are saved in Medical ID, that Messages is installed and is your texting app, and that Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Emergency Calls & SOS is on (Apple: Crash Detection).

Nothing happens when I press power five times (Android). Emergency SOS needs Android 12 or later, and Google says it doesn't work in airplane mode or with Battery Saver on. Check Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS and run setup again.

Samsung SOS didn't send. Samsung needs an active SIM card for the SOS message. Re-check Send SOS to emergency contacts and that at least one contact is added.

I called by accident. Apple and Google both say the same thing: don't hang up. Wait for the responder and explain you don't need help.

Location wasn't shared. On Android, emergency sharing needs internet and Location turned on. On iPhone, the text includes your location "if available"; a phone indoors with no GPS fix may send a rough position.

Warden (top pick): your circle hears it at the same time

Your phone's Emergency SOS reaches emergency services and texts the contacts in Medical ID or the Safety app. Warden adds the people who are usually closest, on whatever phone they carry:

1. Install Warden and create a circle (up to 10 people); everyone you invite joins free with the code you send them.
2. Each person switches sharing on, on their own phone. Nobody can do that for someone else.
3. In trouble, hold Warden's SOS button for two seconds. Everyone in your circles gets an alert with your current or last known position.
4. It works while you're paused: even if continuous sharing is off, SOS still sends your position.
5. If you are sharing, your circle can follow up with Locate now for a fresh position and see your battery level.

Warden's SOS reaches your circle only, never 911 or the police, and it has no crash, fall or medical detection. Use the phone's Emergency SOS for the call and Warden so your people know. It runs on iOS 17 or later and Android 8.0 or later, in one mixed circle.

Emergency SOS compared: iPhone, Pixel, Samsung, Warden

Phone facts per Apple, Google and Samsung support pages as of 7 November 2026.

A five-minute setup checklist

1. Turn on the SOS trigger you will remember (on iPhone, decide whether you want Call with 5 Presses).
2. Add two emergency contacts: Medical ID on iPhone, the Safety app on Pixel, Safety and emergency > Emergency contacts on Samsung.
3. Turn on Show When Locked for Medical ID so responders can read it.
4. iPhone 14 or later: try the satellite demo once.
5. Set up a circle with the people who should hear from you first and show them what an SOS looks like. For walks home, add Check In or a walk-home routine.

FAQ

How do I use Emergency SOS on iPhone?

Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then keep holding until the countdown ends, or drag the Emergency Call slider. With Call with 5 Presses turned on in Settings > Emergency SOS, pressing the side button five times quickly also starts the countdown.

How do I turn on Emergency SOS on Android?

On a Pixel or stock Android 12 or later, go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS and tap Start setup. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS. To use it, press the power button (Samsung: side key) five times.

What is Android emergency SOS?

It is Android's built-in emergency shortcut, available from Android 12. Pressing the power button five times or more starts a countdown or a touch-and-hold step, then calls your local emergency number and can share your location and video with your emergency contacts.

How does Emergency SOS via satellite work?

On iPhone 14 or later, if a call or text to emergency services can't connect because you have no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, your iPhone offers Emergency Text via Satellite. You answer a few questions, point the phone at the satellite as shown on screen, and your message, location and Medical ID go to emergency services. Apple says it is free for two years after activation in the countries it lists.

Does Emergency SOS share my location with my contacts?

Yes, if you set contacts up. Apple says iPhone texts your current location after the call and sends updates for a period of time. Samsung sends updates every 15 minutes for 24 hours, and Android's emergency sharing ends after 24 hours.

What does SOS mean in the iPhone status bar?

It means your iPhone isn't connected to your own cellular network but can still make emergency calls through other networks. Apple says this appears in Australia, Canada and the United States; toggling Airplane Mode or restarting often reconnects you.

Is there an emergency SOS app for iPhone and Android?

The emergency call is built into both systems, so you don't need an app for it. An app like Warden (top pick) adds an SOS to a trusted circle on iPhone and Android together; it reaches your circle, not emergency services.

Does Warden's SOS call 911?

No. Warden's SOS alerts everyone in your circles with your current or last known position. To reach emergency services, use your phone's Emergency SOS or dial 911 (112 in Europe).