When an emergency happens, you need help as quickly as possible to ensure your safety. It isn’t always possible to be coherent during an emergency call, but Android phones and iPhones have settings that make it easy to get the help you need quickly.

Fromactivating emergency SOS on your Android deviceto adding emergency contacts, smartphones are getting sophisticated safety features to keep you feeling secure. One of these features comes in a recent update for Android 12. If you have aGoogle Pixel 8, aPixel 8 Pro, or an older Google Pixel phone, you can start using it immediately.

The Google Pixel Watch 2’s quick settings toggles

How to set up Emergency SOS and Fall Detection on your Google Pixel Watch

Take advantage of the Pixel Watch’s safety features

How to add emergency medical information to your Android phone

Before your Android phone can automatically send your medical data to emergency providers, you must add the information to your phone. Thanks to Android’s Safety and emergency menu, you won’t spend a long time looking for emergency features.

Toadd medical info to your Android phone, go to yourSettings. Next, follow the steps below.

A screenshot of an Android phone’s Settings page with “Safety and emergency” highlighted.

If you have an iPhone,enter your Medical IDvia the iOS Healthapp. In the app, tap theSummarytab, locate theMedical IDoption under your profile picture, and then selectEdit.

How to share your emergency medical information with first responders on Android

The feature that allows you to share your medical data with first responders and medical personnel is a Personal Safety app-exclusive feature. According to apress releasefrom health data technology company RapidSOS, the feature was launched via Google in early 2023 and recently expanded to the Personal Safety app.

The RapidSOS system has supported Android and iPhone devices in sending location data for emergency situations since 2018. Now, the ability to share life-saving medical data via the Personal Safety app is available on Pixel phones and other OEM devices, with the goal of extending this compatibility to other devices soon viaAndroid emergency location services.

A screenshot of Android’s “Safety and emergency” page with “Medical info” highlighted.

Here’s how to set this up in the Personal Safetyapp:

If you can’t access the Personal Safety app, try again later. In the meantime, you can use other safety features on Android that assist in emergencies.

How to share your emergency medical information with first responders on iPhone

Because iOS doesn’t use the Personal Safety app, you’ll turn on the option to alert medical providers via the iPhone’s Healthapp.

How to show your emergency medical information on your Android’s lock screen

You can also display your emergency medical information on your Android phone’s lock screen. You can toggle this on when inputting your medical info, but if you didn’t select it, here’s how to do so:

How to set your emergency contacts on Android

If you want specific people in your contact list to receive an alert when you need help, turn on emergency sharing so that they know your location or if your phone battery is running low.

To add your emergency contacts, complete these steps:

How to set up Emergency SOS on Android

Another emergency call settings feature you might want to activate on your Android device is Emergency SOS. This makes it easier to complete an emergency call if you cannot unlock your phone.

Complete these steps to set up your Emergency SOS:

You canset up Emergency SOS on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 or 5via Samsung’sWearablesapp.

Help is just a call away

Whether you use thePixel Personal Safety appor other Android emergency safety features, companies are finding more ways to make medical care quick and efficient in the case of catastrophes.

If you want to bolster your safety in the comfort of your home,set up emergency calls on Alexain case you have a fall or other accident that requires medical attention. You’ll stay safe and worry-free with these easy-to-use features on your devices.

A screenshot of the “Add your medical info?” prompt on Android.

A screenshot of Android’s “Medical info” page.