iPhones are known for their security features, and SOS is one of them. It is one of the lifesavers features for Emergencies. People wonder, “What Does SOS Mean on iPhone?” let’s discuss and answer this question in detail.
What Does SOS Mean on iPhone?
This emergency tool allows iPhone users to quickly call emergency services and call their chosen emergency contacts. Users can select their family members or closest friends in their emergency contact, and when this SOS gets active, it sends them your location. SOS stands for “Save Our Souls” or “Save Our Ship.” It is a universal slang or signal of emergency or distress.
Pros of SOS Feature on iPhone
- Immediate Assistance
- Improved Response Times
Cons of SOS Feature on iPhone
- False Alarms
- Battery Drain
- Misuse of SOS Feature
History of SOS Feature on iPhone
After understanding What Does SOS Mean on iPhone, let’s draw a timeline of this safety feature. The emergence of the SOS feature dates back to the release of iOS 11. It was included in order to improve the safety features considering the rising emergency cases. This feature offered an easy and immediate way to approach help during emergency situations. It allows anyone to send SOS messages without having to unload their iPhone, making it accessible when people are in danger.
How the SOS Feature Works
The SOS feature is available in all iPhones after the iOS 11 update. You just need to know how to activate it during the emergency. Most of the time, SOS gets activated in accident situations. And it seems annoying to us. But this feature comes with a countdown to alert you about it. This gives you time to switch it off if it is not needed.
How to Activate SOS?
The process of activating SOS can vary depending on the iPhone model. Either you need to press and hold the side buttons with one volume button to activate the SOS, or you can just rapidly press the side button five times continuously.
Automatic Emergency Calls
After you have activated the SOS, it will call the local emergency numbers, such as police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency services.
Location Sharing
After the call, the iPhone also shares the current location of the emergency contacts through text message. Moreover, if the location changes, the updates are also shared for some time.
Setting Up SOS Settings
Isn’t it so great of Apple to include such much needed feature? But to stay alert and ready to use this feature, you must first choose and set your emergency contacts.
Follow the below-given steps to set up emergency contacts:
1. Open the Health app.
2. Tap your profile picture.
3. Select “Medical ID.”
4. Tap “Edit” and then scroll to “Emergency Contacts.”
5. Tap the add button to select contacts.
After setting up the SOS settings, you may also customise this feature according to your preference. Just navigate to the Settings app, click on “Emergency SOS” and adjust the functionalities and manage automatic calls.
You can also add important medical information such as allergies, medications, and medical conditions, which can be critical for first responders. This information will appear on the lock screen.
While location sharing is a great way to get quick responses, it raises some privacy concerns. Therefore, Apple allows you to enable or disable this feature according to your needs. Go to the Settings app and click on the “Location Services” under the “Privacy” option.
Conclusion:
What Does SOS Mean on iPhone? This is one of the common question that comes to iPhone users mind. The SOS feature on an iPhone is an important tool designed to offer user safety in emergencies. By understanding how to activate and use this feature, setting up emergency contacts, and customizing the settings, users can ensure they are prepared for unexpected situations. Always use the SOS feature responsibly to avoid false alarms and ensure it is available when truly needed.
Also read: Top Cybersecurity Tools to Safeguard Your Digital World