Get to know your phone’s built-in emergency kit

ByTech Word News

Simple voice calls have long been useful for getting help in a crisis, but today’s smartphones can do so much more. Many can even automatically contact emergency services if you are incapacitated.

Your phone can warn of dangerous situations such as storms, floods, forest fires and earthquakes. And if you’re stuck out of network range, many newer devices can connect to a satellite to call for help. Here’s an overview.

First, take the time to explore your phone’s settings and menus. Find places to list emergency contacts, your medical information, permission to share your location, and other important details that can help you faster.

To view your phone’s wireless emergency alert controls, open the main settings app. On most Android devices, go to Security and emergencies and tap Wireless emergency alerts. On your iPhone, tap Notifications and scroll down to Government notice section.

Even if it’s only a few seconds of notice, a warning that an earthquake is coming will give you time to find shelter. Both Android and iOS include earthquake alerts for weak tremors – or for more severe earthquakes. (Alerts may not be available in all areas and some earthquakes may go undetected.)

In California, Oregon, and Washington, Google partnered with the US Geological Survey and its ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system port notifications to android phones (including Samsung Galaxy models).

Elsewhere, Android earthquake warning system turns over two billion Android phones into pocket seismometers by crowdsourcing and analyzing accelerometer data from the devices. Go to Settings on Security and emergency mode and tap on Earthquake warning check the settings and view the demo.

On your iPhone, tap Settings, select Notifications, and scroll down to Improved security warnings. Click on it to see the earthquake alert toggles and warning of an imminent threat (for sudden thunderstorms, active shooters and other hazards).

For the Pacific Coast States, the Seismological Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley offers free the MyShake app for early warning.

Thanks to an accelerometer and other components, your phone may be able to detect a serious traffic accident — and automatically dial 911 with your location if you’re incapacitated.

If your Android phone supports this feature, you should see a Car Crash Detection option under Safety & Emergency in your phone settings. Many Google Pixel phones offer it.

The feature is included on iPhone 14 models running iOS 16 and later. You can find it by going to Settings, selecting Emergency SOS and looking under Crash Detection.

Most phones offer a silent shortcut to call 911 during a crisis, usually by pressing the power button five times or holding down the side button. Find the Emergency SOS menu in the settings and configure it to iPhone, Pixels, Motorola or Galaxy device.

No network signal? If you’re outside with a clear view of the sky, a satellite connection can help. The SOS service was originally free for the first two years of ownership of a new phone. Apple and Google have extended the offer for another year, but expect a notification when things change. (Some wireless carriers, incl Verizon and T-Mobilealso have general satellite options with certain plans or charge an extra $10 per month with others.)

Google included Satellite SOS get help via text message on your recent Pixels. You can set it up and check out the demo by going to Settings, Security & emergency, and tapping Pixel Satellite SOS. Samsung was too adding a satellite option on certain Galaxy phones.

You can try a demo of this experience by going to Settings > Emergency SOS > Satellite Emergency SOS and tapping Try Demo. (Apple has a Road assistance satellite text service for stranded drivers and non-emergency text from satellitetoo.)

Exploring these physical security tools may not be the most exciting part of owning a phone. But in an unpredictable world, it’s good to know they’re there before you need them