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Turn These On Now, Before You Ever Need Them: Phone Safety Settings

Updated 10/4/2026
Turn These On Now, Before You Ever Need Them: Phone Safety Settings

Emergency contacts, SOS, and location sharing only work when you set them up ahead of time, so turn them on in order starting at No. 1.

The fastest way to get help from your phone in an emergency is to switch on its safety features before anything happens. Emergency contacts, SOS, and location sharing are already built in, but in a real crisis you won't have time to hunt through menus, and a locked phone is useless to rescuers.

What confuses many people is that they know the feature names but not when each one kicks in or who it is meant to help. This list is split into three cases: you're locked out and can't act, you need to send a signal yourself, and you've lost the phone itself, in the order you're likely to need them.

How we chose

  • Does it work even if you can't speak or operate the phone?
  • Is it quick to set up, and only once?
  • Is the risk of accidental triggers or exposing personal data low?

If you're starting fresh, begin with Nos. 1 and 2. If you often head out alone, start at Nos. 5 and 6. Menus differ by device, so turn each one on yourself to confirm.

01

Lock Screen Emergency Contacts

This shows rescuers who to call even when your phone is locked and you can't speak for yourself, which makes it the most basic safeguard here and the reason it ranks first. Even one or two family members help a lot. Update the entries right away if a number changes, and check how the lock screen actually looks once you've set it up.
02

Lock Screen Medical Information

This puts allergies, current medications, blood type, and chronic conditions on the lock screen where first responders can read them. It can shorten the time they need to decide on care. Because it is sensitive personal data, enter only what truly matters, and update it whenever a prescription or diagnosis changes. Stale information can cause more confusion than none.
03

Android Emergency SOS

Pressing the power button several times quickly, or a similar set gesture, places an emergency call and can also share your location or sound an alarm, depending on settings. Names and gestures differ by manufacturer and version, so check your own device's settings as of October 2026. A real report may be filed, so never run a test all the way through.
04

iPhone Emergency SOS

Holding the side button and a volume button together starts an emergency call on iPhone. Buttons can get pressed in a pocket or bag and trigger it by accident, so learn how to cancel once the countdown begins. Support and gestures vary by model, iOS version, and country, so confirm the details in Apple's official guidance.
05

Emergency Location Sharing

When something goes wrong, this sends your location and status to contacts you chose in advance. It matters most when you can't explain where you are, because the other person can head straight to you. It needs saved contacts and location permission to work, and battery saver modes or poor coverage can delay delivery.
06

Check-In Timer

If you don't confirm you're safe within a time you set, this automatically notifies your chosen contacts. It suits solo hikes or late-night walks on unfamiliar streets, where contact is easy to lose. Set the time before you leave, and remember to cancel it once you arrive safely. Telling your contacts you use it ahead of time avoids false alarms and confusion.
07

Emergency Alert Notification Settings

This checks that you actually receive severe-emergency, emergency, and safety alert texts for things like earthquakes, heavy rain, or missing persons. Many phones sound these alerts even on silent or Do Not Disturb, but behavior can depend on your device and carrier. Make sure alerts aren't switched off, and during a disaster follow official instructions, including calling 119.
08

Find My Device

If you lose your phone, this lets you see it on a map, lock it remotely, or show a contact message on the screen. It also limits the exposure of personal data if the phone is dropped during an emergency or stolen. You must be signed in to your account with location permission and an internet connection, so turn it on beforehand. If the device is powered off, locating it may be limited.

How to choose

If you're new to this, spend five minutes on No. 1, emergency contacts, and No. 2, medical information. If you hike alone or walk home at night, No. 5 location sharing and No. 6 check-in timer help most. If disasters worry you, check No. 7 alert settings first, and if you often lose your phone, No. 8 is for you.

Whatever you enable, learn it once in a safe place and take care not to trigger a real report during a test. In an emergency, calling 119 comes before any app. Information reflects the time of research and may change by device and OS, so check the manufacturer's official channels before setting up.

Frequently asked questions

Is it okay to test the emergency SOS feature?

It's fine to turn it on and review how it works from the settings screen, but don't trigger it in a way that dispatches a real emergency call. Learn the mechanics from the menu description in a safe setting instead.

Who can see the medical info on my lock screen?

It's designed so first responders can view it without unlocking your phone. Stick to what's useful in an emergency, like allergies, medications, and blood type, and double-check the sharing scope in settings.

Menu names differ between phones. Where do I check?

Exact menu names and locations vary by manufacturer, model, OS version, country, and carrier. If you can't find a setting, your device manufacturer's official support page lists the current menu name for your device.

What does emergency location sharing need to work?

You need to add contacts in advance and keep location permission turned on. Battery saver modes or weak coverage can delay delivery.

Do disaster alerts sound in silent mode?

On many phones these alerts sound even on silent or Do Not Disturb, but it can depend on your device and carrier. Check yourself that the alert category isn't switched off.

Which feature should I set up first?

Lock screen emergency contacts come first, because rescuers can see who to call even when your phone can't be unlocked. Adding medical information next is a good follow-up.

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8 Phone Safety Settings Worth Turning On Now | Golladream