When you’re in an emergency situation, your iPhone 11 has a built-in feature to help you quickly call for help. It’s called SOS, and it can be a lifesaver. In this article, we’ll look at what SOS means on your iPhone 11 and how to use it.
How to Use SOS on iPhone 11
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that SOS is designed to give you a quick way to contact emergency services. When activated, it will call the local emergency number and share your location with them.
Step 1: Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons
To activate SOS on your iPhone 11, press and hold the side button and either volume button at the same time. This is the same action you would use to turn off your iPhone or make an emergency call.
When you press and hold these buttons, a slider will appear on the screen. You can either drag the slider to make the emergency call or continue holding the buttons to initiate an automatic call.
Step 2: Continue holding the buttons to start a countdown
If you keep holding the buttons, your iPhone will start a countdown and then make the call automatically. This is great if you’re in a situation where you can’t speak or need to call for help discreetly.
The countdown gives you a few seconds to cancel the call if you’ve activated SOS by accident. But once it’s done, your phone will call the emergency services.
Step 3: Wait for the call to connect
Once the countdown is finished, your iPhone will automatically place the call to emergency services. You should stay on the line and provide any necessary information to the operator.
Remember, SOS should only be used in real emergencies. It’s not a feature to play around with, as it will take up valuable time and resources that could be used to help someone in a real crisis.
After you’ve completed the SOS call, your iPhone will send a message to your emergency contacts with your current location (if you’ve set them up in the Health app). This way, your loved ones will be aware that you’re in an emergency situation and can take appropriate action.
Tips for Using SOS on iPhone 11
- Make sure you have your emergency contacts set up in the Health app for them to be notified after you’ve used SOS.
- You can disable the Auto Call feature if you’re worried about accidentally calling emergency services.
- After an SOS call, your iPhone will enter a lock state where you’ll need to enter your passcode to use it again.
- If you’re traveling abroad, SOS will call the local emergency number for the country you’re in.
- Be aware of your iPhone’s battery life; if it’s too low, it may not be able to complete the SOS call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOS on iPhone 11?
SOS on iPhone 11 is a feature that allows you to quickly call emergency services and notify your emergency contacts with your location.
How do I activate SOS on my iPhone 11?
Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons at the same time to bring up the SOS slider, which you can then drag to make the call. Or keep holding the buttons to start a countdown for an automatic call.
Can I cancel an SOS call if I activate it by accident?
Yes, you can cancel the call during the countdown by releasing the buttons. If the call has already been placed, you can hang up immediately.
Will my emergency contacts be notified every time I use SOS?
Your emergency contacts will only be notified if you have them set up in the Health app and you complete an SOS call.
Can I use SOS on my iPhone 11 if I’m in a different country?
Yes, SOS will call the local emergency number for the country you’re in.
Summary
- Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons.
- Continue holding the buttons to start a countdown.
- Wait for the call to connect.
Conclusion
The SOS feature on your iPhone 11 is a powerful tool that can provide critical assistance in emergency situations. By understanding how to use it effectively, you can ensure that help is just a few button presses away when you need it the most. Remember to set up your emergency contacts in the Health app and to use SOS responsibly. Your iPhone is not just a device for communication and entertainment; it could potentially save your life or the life of someone else in an emergency. Stay safe and prepared, and don’t hesitate to use the SOS feature on your iPhone 11 if the need arises.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.