June 7, 2025

What is SOS Feature? Comprehensive Guide to Activating on Android and iOS

What is the SOS Feature and How Can It Save Your Life?

In today’s fast-paced world, smartphones have become essential. Their emergency features can save lives during critical moments. One of the most important is the SOS or Emergency SOS function. It lets you quickly contact emergency services and share your location when urgent help is needed. But what exactly is the SOS feature, and how do you activate it on Android and iOS? This article answers those questions and explains how to use this feature on both popular operating systems.

The SOS feature is a crucial safety tool for situations like accidents, natural disasters, or any dangerous scenario where you need immediate help. It lets you make an emergency call even if you cannot use your phone normally. Knowing how to activate and use it can be the difference between life and death.

This article is useful for all smartphone users, beginners and experts alike. We cover the technical details, activation methods, and explain why this feature is important. Stay with us to learn about one of your phone’s most vital tools.

Why is the SOS Feature Important?

The SOS feature’s value lies in its simplicity and speed during a crisis. In an emergency, every second matters. You might be injured, panicked, or unable to unlock your phone to dial the emergency number. The SOS feature speeds up this process with just a few button presses or even without looking at your phone.

Besides calling local emergency services (like 911 in the US or 112/110/115 elsewhere), many versions of this feature also send automatic texts to your emergency contacts. These messages usually include your current location and update it if you move. This lets your loved ones know your situation and act quickly if needed.

Whether you’re hiking, walking in a remote area, or feel unsafe in the city, quick access to help can save your life. That’s why learning what the SOS feature is and how to activate it on Android and iOS is important preparation for emergencies.

Overview of SOS Feature Functionality

Although activation and details vary by operating system and phone model, the core functions are usually:

Quick Emergency Call: Pressing buttons or swiping a slider triggers an automatic call to the local emergency number based on your location.
Location Sharing: Your GPS location is sent to emergency services and/or your emergency contacts, either during or right after the call.
Notifying Emergency Contacts: The phone automatically sends a message to your designated contacts with your status and a location link.
Access to Medical Information: Some phones allow responders to view medical details you entered, such as blood type, allergies, or conditions.

This process often works without unlocking your phone. This is vital when accessing the screen is difficult or unsafe.

How to Use the SOS Feature on iOS

Apple introduced the SOS feature starting with iOS 11, and it has improved since. The activation differs slightly by iPhone model, but here are the main methods:

For Newer iPhones (iPhone 8 and later):

Press and hold the side button and a volume button at the same time.
Several sliders appear, including Emergency SOS.
Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services immediately.
Or keep holding the buttons; after a warning sound and countdown, the phone calls automatically.
After the call, your iPhone sends your location to emergency contacts you set up in the Health app.
If your location changes, your contacts get updates.
To stop sharing your location, tap the status bar and select “Stop Sharing Emergency Location.”

For Older iPhones (iPhone 7 and earlier):

Press the side or top button five times quickly.
The Emergency SOS slider appears.
Drag the slider to call emergency services.
Automatic calling by holding buttons is not available on these models.

Setting Up Emergency Contacts on iOS

To use SOS fully, set up your Medical ID and emergency contacts via the Health app:

Open Health.
Tap your profile picture (top right).
Tap Medical ID.
Tap Edit.
Enter your medical details: birthdate, allergies, medications, etc.
Add emergency contacts and specify your relationship with them.
Enable “Show When Locked” so responders can access this info without unlocking your phone.
Tap Done.

How to Use the SOS Feature on Android

Android phones have similar features, but activation differs by manufacturer and Android version.

Stock Android and Pixel Phones:

Open Settings.
Go to Safety & Emergency.
Tap Emergency SOS.
Enable calling emergency services and sending info to contacts.
Choose how many times to press the power button (usually 5).
Add emergency contacts synced from your Google account.
Add emergency info (name, blood type, allergies) accessible from the lock screen.

Samsung Phones (One UI):

Go to Settings > Advanced features > Send SOS messages.
Enable the feature.
Add up to 4 emergency contacts.
Set how many times to press the side key to send SOS (usually 3 or 4).
Options may include sending photos or audio with the SOS message.
Note: Sending SOS messages on Samsung may not call emergency services automatically; use the standard Android method for calls.

Xiaomi Phones (MIUI):

Go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS.
Enable the feature.
Set the number of power button presses to activate.
Add emergency contacts.
After activation, an SOS message with location is sent, and an automatic emergency call can be made.

Tips for Effective Use of the SOS Feature

Set emergency contacts carefully: Pick reliable people and keep their numbers updated.
Complete medical info: Accurate details can help responders.
Practice activation: Learn your phone’s SOS method so you can use it quickly under stress.
Inform others: Show family or friends how to access your Medical ID or emergency contacts.
Keep phone charged and network active: Emergency calls need battery and signal.
Know your emergency number: Your phone calls the local number automatically, but knowing it yourself helps.
Use the SOS feature not just for extreme emergencies but also if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

Differences and Similarities Between SOS on Android and iOS

Activation: iOS uses button combos or pressing the side button 5 times. Android usually uses the power button 5 times, but Samsung and others may differ.
Focus: iOS prioritizes calling emergency services immediately. Samsung often focuses on sending SOS messages first.
Medical info: Both systems let you add emergency medical details accessible without unlocking.
Extras: Some Android phones send photos or audio with SOS messages; iOS does not offer this yet.
Common goal: Both make it quick and easy to ask for help and share location in emergencies.

The Future of Emergency Features in Smartphones

Smartphone emergency features keep evolving. Apple’s newer iPhones include Crash Detection, which calls emergency services if it detects a severe crash and no response. Another innovation is Emergency SOS via Satellite, which lets you contact help where there’s no mobile signal.

Google and Android manufacturers also work on improving emergency features. They aim to enhance location accuracy and add automatic detection of emergencies.

Wearables like smartwatches might soon monitor vital signs and automatically request help if needed, like after a fall or heart irregularity.

Your smartphone is more than a communication tool. It’s a powerful safety device. Learning to use its emergency features fully helps protect you and your loved ones.

Conclusion

The SOS feature on Android and iOS can save your life. Knowing what it is and how to activate it is the first step to using it well.

Open your phone’s settings today. Find Emergency SOS or Safety & Emergency. Add emergency contacts and enter your medical info. Practice the activation method—without making a real call!

Your phone’s safety tools are there for emergencies. Don’t ignore them. Taking a few minutes now can make a huge difference later.

Have you used the SOS feature? Share your experience in the comments. Please share this article with friends and family to help keep them safe too.