How your cell phone can become a lifeline in emergencies

Main points

• To call emergency services on Android or iPhone, without unlocking the screen, just swipe up and select Emergency, then call 911.
• Use emergency apps and offline maps to access important information and communicate during a disaster, even without internet or cellular coverage.
• Use your phone’s GPS in airplane mode to provide directions and download survival information for a variety of emergencies.

Mobile phones are more than just tools for making calls or surfing the Internet to kill boredom. It can be a lifesaver in times of crisis, but you have to know how to use it. Android and iPhone offer an SOS feature that, when activated, automatically sends alerts to your contacts in the event of an emergency. But there are more ways you can use your phone to keep yourself safe.

Not every way to use your phone during medical emergencies and natural disasters is obvious. For example, did you know that your phone can still locate you via GPS without any internet or cellular coverage? I’ll share creative ways to help you or get out of trouble when using your smartphone.

1 Call or text for help

Find help more easily with convenient shortcuts

In most emergency situations, using your cell phone to call for help should be your first priority. However, this should only be done if it is absolutely safe. For example, during domestic violence, the quickest way to alert authorities, friends or next of kin is to make a phone call. However, before making a call in an emergency, you need to move to a safe location.

Granted, making voice calls isn’t always ideal or safe. For example, if an attacker might hear your voice on the phone, consider sending a text message. In fact, you can even text 911 for help in the United States. Text messaging can also help reduce network congestion during emergencies or natural disasters, so when cellular networks are in trouble, text messaging should be your default method of communication.

The FCC maintains a spreadsheet listing all local agencies that support Text-to-911. While Text-to-911 is not supported everywhere in the United States, support is growing. To check if your local emergency response center supports text messaging, visit this page, scroll down to the “Text to 911 Registry” section, and look for a link to an Excel spreadsheet.Open the spreadsheet and use CMD+F/Control+F Search your city or county. It is updated monthly.

You can call emergency services on Android and iPhone even if your phone screen is locked. Just swipe up, tap “Emergency” when asked for your password, then call 9-1-1 or any emergency phone number in your areaand you’ll be connected.

2 Use your iPhone’s satellite connection to get help

You need an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15

If you have an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, no matter which model, do yourself a favor andImmediately launches built-in emergency SOS satellite functionality. Doing this will familiarize you with how to use the feature in case you end up somewhere without cell service and need to call for help. We cover all the details you need to know to use this feature in practice or in a real emergency, so be sure to read our guide.

3 Stay informed during a disaster

Emergency apps can send timely notifications before and after a disaster

You can quickly access information on how to prepare for or survive natural (and unnatural) disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, and more on your phone. Local authorities and governments use emergency apps like the FEMA app to send notifications about impending emergencies, where to seek shelter, how to get there, important contacts, and more.

But keep in mind that you need to download and set up these apps ahead of time, and in order to communicate with other people, they also need the same app or service, and within a certain range.

If network infrastructure is affected by a disaster, you can still use offline messaging apps like Bridgefy to connect with people and find other emergency-related information on your phone without any signal. But keep in mind that you need to download and set up these apps ahead of time, and in order to communicate with other people, they also need the same app or service, and within a certain range. For example, Bridgefy has an effective range of 330 feet.

Another app, SOS InfoCons, provides you with all the emergency service contact information you need based on your current location.

4 Back up your ID

Add your ID to your digital wallet, or take a photo

If you don’t have any identification documents with you and you need them somewhere, you can use your phone number and a saved image of your identification document as proof of identity. Alternatively, if you live in a state that supports adding your ID to your phone’s Wallet app, this can also be an easy way to keep your ID with you at all times.

Follow our instructions to add your ID to Google Wallet or add your ID to Apple Wallet; again, you’ll need to live in a state that supports this feature. If you don’t live there, it’s a good idea to keep a photo of your ID as proof if needed. Please see the Google Wallet and Apple Wallet information pages for more information.

5 Find directions using your phone’s GPS

You can even get directions in airplane mode

When you’re lost in a new city or hiking, your phone’s GPS positioning feature can help you find your way, which is a feature most of us use regularly. However, your phone’s GPS feature can also be used when you don’t have a cellular signal or access to the Internet, including when your phone is in airplane mode.

The secret is to download offline maps of your area, whether it’s where you live or where you’re going to hike. The GAIA app, available for Android and iPhone, provides offline maps to find your GPS location without any connection.

Google Maps also supports offline maps and directions for both platforms.

6 Get important survival information

Have at least one emergency app on your phone to keep you informed

Your phone is a valuable source of information when you’re stuck. App features like Google Lens can help you understand symbols and even identify edible plants and fruits, but you’ll need an internet connection for it to work properly.However, there are plenty of apps in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that can help you identify poisonous plants, like this one for iPhone and one for Android

7 Use your phone’s flashlight as an SOS beacon

Don’t understand Morse code?It doesn’t matter

Of course, the flashlight feature on your phone is handy in a variety of situations. But it’s also a quick, easy way to send a distress signal that can be seen at night by nearby rescuers or first responders. The easiest way to force your phone’s flashlight to perform the correct SOS mode is to download and use an app, such as the “Flashlight” app for iPhone or the “SOS Flashlight” app for Android. Both apps have a dedicated SOS mode that can be launched with the click of a button.

8 escape uncomfortable situations

Making fake calls can scare away stalkers

If a stranger is following you on the street, you can pull out your phone and pretend to report the incident or call for help. It can delay an attacker’s attack, buying you more time to think about an escape plan or report the incident to someone nearby.

Some useful phone features in emergencies

To best respond to emergencies, you need to know useful phone features. They include;

• Calls and SMS: Help you communicate and send information about your situation
• Internet connection: Helps you use emergency apps (such as first aid and messaging apps) and find information online.
• GPS positioning: Helps you with directions and makes it easy for rescue teams to find you
• SOS: Save important contacts and information useful in emergencies
• google lens: Translate text, identify unfamiliar objects (including plants, animals, and skin conditions), scan symbols, and more.
• Chat and AI Assistant: Tools like Google Assistant and Siri can answer questions and trigger emergency calls via voice commands
• camera: Capture images and video clips to share
• flashlight: Helps with power outages and sending signals

Smartphone Emergency FAQs

What emergency apps should I have on my phone?

First aid and survival apps are the most important emergency apps on your phone. If your area is prone to natural disasters, you should also consider using local authority apps, which will alert you of upcoming threats and how to protect yourself. Applications that may be useful include:

How to stay safe during emergencies?

In an emergency, you can follow some of these basic safety tips depending on your situation.

• Find a safe place away from danger and wait for rescue to arrive
• Alert some of your contacts and relevant agencies for help
• Don’t panic (keep Calm)
• Avoid things that might escalate the situation (such as confrontation)
• Make sure your phone GPS location tracking is on
• Keep your phone on at all times so you can be reached
• with your’s First aid kit and emergency supplies In case of natural disaster, we are with you
• Make sure your phone has enough battery and Close battery-draining apps
• There is one portable battery pack Keep your phone running
• Stay up-to-date with media such as survival apps, crisis response pages and radio

How do I add emergency contacts to my phone?

You can add emergency contacts on Android through settings.go set up > User Accounts/Passwords and Security > Emergency information/SOS. Then, add your emergency contacts (and any other information) and turn on the Emergency SOS feature.On iPhone, you can also add emergency contacts via set up section where you will find SOS menu and provide medical information and contact information on the Health app.