Khaberni - The smartphone is no longer merely a means of communication or entertainment, but has transformed into a tool that might save your life in emergency situations. Apple has added a collection of smart features to the iPhone devices that can help users survive danger or request help in critical moments.
Here are five prominent features that could change your fate in an unexpected moment, according to British newspaper "The Sun".
"Check In" Automatic alert when you are late or missing
This feature allows the phone to automatically send a notification to one of your family members or friends if you fail to reach your destination on time, or if contact is lost with you while traveling.
To activate it, go to:
Messages > (+) sign > More > Check In > Edit.
It gives you two options:
When I Arrive: to inform the other party of your arrival or notify them if you are delayed.
After a Timer: to set a time period after which your phone alerts your contact if you have not confirmed your safety.
This feature automatically shares important data such as your current location, signal strength, battery level, and last activity on the phone or Apple Watch, making it an effective means of follow-up in sensitive situations.
"Emergency SOS" Immediate emergency call
In moments of danger, the phone can make an immediate distress call to emergency services and send your precise location to the emergency contacts you have designated in advance.
To activate it:
Settings > Health > Profile > Medical ID > Emergency Contacts > Edit.
In emergencies, simply press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons to begin a countdown before making the call.
You can also activate the feature to call with five presses via:
Settings > Emergency SOS > Call with 5 Presses.
Users of iPhone 14 and later benefit from the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, which allows sending a distress call even in areas not covered by network, provided there is a clear view of the sky.
Car Accident Detection
The Crash Detection feature is capable of detecting severe accidents such as collisions or rollovers using precise sensors.
Upon detecting an accident, the phone emits a loud audible alarm and displays a message on the screen. If the user does not respond within 10 seconds, it automatically calls emergency services after 30 seconds and sends the precise location of the incident.
This feature is activated by default in iPhone 14 and newer models, and its functionality can be checked via:
Settings > Emergency SOS > Call after a severe accident.
Payment without power.. "Express Mode"
Even when the phone's battery is depleted, Apple Pay users can continue making payments on public transportation thanks to Express Mode, which retains limited power to activate your digital card.
This feature only works if the phone was automatically turned off due to the battery but stops if it was manually shut down.
This feature is useful in emergency situations, such as returning home late without a wallet or another payment method.
Sound Recognition
The Sound Recognition feature enables the phone to recognize specific sounds such as sirens, fire alarms, or the crying of children, issuing an immediate alert to the user.
To activate it, go to: Settings > Accessibility > Sound Recognition > On.
You can also link the feature to the smart speaker HomePod, so the devices emit alerts throughout the house upon hearing any dangerous sound.
With these smart tools, the iPhone becomes a digital safety shield, accompanying its owner in difficult situations and giving them an additional chance for survival.
