Emergency SOS is now live on the iPhone 14 lineup in the US and Canada
iPhone 14 users residing in the US or Canada have access to Apple’s new Emergency SOS service. The technology is available on all iPhone 14 models and enables users to send emergency messages when outside of cellular coverage or Wi-Fi.
Alongside this feature, an extra function in the Find My app has been added. Users can now utilize the application to share their location to family and friends, if they are out adventuring in areas, where it’s easy to get lost.
The service is available for free in the first 2 years after a user activates a phone from the iPhone 14 lineup. The way this statement is worded makes us believe that the service may have a price point after that period, but Apple has not made that clear as of now.
The Emergency SOS feature is available is also expected to become available to users in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK this December. If you are an avid traveler and commonly target lesser-known locations, the SOS service will make your journeys more secure, as long as you have an iPhone 14.
Alongside this feature, an extra function in the Find My app has been added. Users can now utilize the application to share their location to family and friends, if they are out adventuring in areas, where it’s easy to get lost.
How does the SOS emergency feature work?
Basically, the function allows a user to connect directly with a satellite, thanks to Apple’s technical wizardry. At that point, users will be redirected to emergency services, capable of receiving text messages.
If that’s not something available in your area, no worries! In that case, you will be redirected to Apple-trained specialists, which will then relay information on your behalf to the respective authorities.
How to use the SOS emergency service on iPhone 14?
If the iPhone detects that the user is outside cellular or Wi-Fi coverage when attempting to reach emergency services like 911, it will automatically bring up a specialized interface to help guide the user through the SOS emergency service.
After the process is completed, Apple’s technical mastery helps establish a reliable connection, via the custom components, found in the iPhone 14 series of phones. They also utilized specialized software, which helps reduce the message’s size up to 300%, so that it can travel even faster - as fast as 15 seconds - to emergency centers.
A short questionnaire then follows to help the user narrow down their situation. When completed, the interface will help the user point the iPhone in the satellite’s direction, so that it can relay:
- The user’s answers to the questionnaire
- Current location, including altitude
- The phone’s battery level
- Medical ID, if enabled
Here’s an example of a workflow for the emergency process questionnaire.
How much does the SOS satellite service cost?
The service is available for free in the first 2 years after a user activates a phone from the iPhone 14 lineup. The way this statement is worded makes us believe that the service may have a price point after that period, but Apple has not made that clear as of now.
The Emergency SOS feature is available is also expected to become available to users in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK this December. If you are an avid traveler and commonly target lesser-known locations, the SOS service will make your journeys more secure, as long as you have an iPhone 14.
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