Most people don’t realize their smartphones already hold a tool that could save their lives. If you ever have a medical emergency and can’t speak for yourself, first responders can access critical information, like allergies, medications, and emergency contacts, directly from your locked screen. Yet, millions never set it up. Taking five minutes today could make all the difference tomorrow.
In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to do it. You’ll learn why your phone’s Medical ID feature is essential in emergencies, how to set it up step-by-step on both iPhone and Android, what information to include (and what to avoid), and how to activate your phone’s Emergency SOS feature. It’s a simple guide for something that could be life-saving—because when seconds matter, your phone should be ready to speak for you.
Previously, we already talked about setting a health ecosystem in your phone. But in an emergency, every second matters, and your smartphone might hold the information that saves your life. Most people carry their phones everywhere, yet very few have their Medical ID or Emergency Information set up. These built-in features allow first responders to access vital medical details directly from your locked screen, even if you can’t speak for yourself.
Paramedics are trained to look for this information right away. When your phone is unlocked through the “Emergency” option, it can display your key health data, giving them immediate insight into your medical history, conditions, or allergies. Without it, responders must rely on guesswork or delayed medical records, wasting crucial time.
Why this matters:
Imagine collapsing during a morning run. You’re unconscious, your phone is locked, and your wallet is at home. Paramedics check your phone’s emergency screen and instantly see your allergy to penicillin and your spouse’s number. Those few seconds could prevent a severe reaction and alert your loved ones immediately.
Setting up your emergency medical information takes less than five minutes. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective digital health precautions you can take, a small action that could make a life-saving difference when it matters most.
Setting up your Medical ID on an iPhone is one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take to make your health information instantly accessible in an emergency. Apple designed this feature to give first responders immediate access to critical details from your locked screen, without compromising your privacy. Here’s how to set it up in just a few minutes.
Pro Tip:
Once set up, test it. Lock your iPhone, tap Emergency, then Medical ID, and you should see your entered details. It only takes five minutes to complete, but this simple setup could save your life when every second matters.
Android phones also come with a built-in way to make your medical information and emergency contacts accessible even when your device is locked. The exact steps vary slightly depending on your brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, etc.), but the overall process is simple and universal.
Bonus Tip: Activate Emergency SOS
Most Android phones include an Emergency SOS feature that automatically calls emergency services and shares your location.
Setting this up ensures that, in an emergency, your Android becomes more than a phone; it becomes a life-saving communication tool.
When setting up your Medical ID or Emergency Information, the key is to make it useful but not overly detailed. You want to provide first responders with information that helps them act quickly, while keeping sensitive personal data protected.
What to include:
What to avoid:
Finally, make it a habit to review and update your information regularly, especially after medication changes, new diagnoses, or updates to emergency contact numbers. Keeping it current ensures it stays truly life-saving.
Both iPhone and Android devices include an Emergency SOS feature that can automatically contact emergency services, share your location, and alert your chosen contacts, all without needing to unlock your phone. Knowing how to activate it can make all the difference in a critical situation.
On iPhone:
Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Keep holding to automatically call emergency services. You can manage this under Settings → Emergency SOS to enable “Call with Hold” or “Call After Serious Crash.”
On Android:
Press the power button 5 times quickly to trigger Emergency SOS. This will call local emergency services and can optionally send your location and an alert message to your emergency contacts.
Always test the feature safely. You can use the “demo” or “cancel” option to practice without making an actual emergency call.
Whether you’re out for a run, driving, or simply away from home, these features ensure first responders have the critical details they need as soon as possible. From allergies and medications to emergency contacts, the right information at the right time can literally save your life. Taking a few minutes today to configure it means being prepared when every second counts.
At Thryve, we believe that accessible, connected health data saves lives not only in emergencies but in everyday prevention. By harmonizing wearable and health data across hundreds of devices, Thryve empowers organizations and individuals to act on insights securely and in real time. Our API offers:
Explore how Thryve can help you create digital tools that make personal health data more meaningful and actionable.
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Friedrich Lämmel is CEO of Thryve, the plug & play API to access and understand 24/7 health data from wearables and medical trackers. Prior to Thryve, he built eCommerce platforms with billions of turnover and worked and lived in several countries in Europe and beyond.
