14 Oct Peace of Mind in Your Pocket: How to Set Up Emergency SOS on Your Phone

At Arbor Investment Advisors, we spend a great deal of time helping clients prepare for the unexpected — financially, professionally, and personally. While we can’t predict every situation, there are small steps that can make a meaningful difference in an emergency. One of them is already in your pocket.

Recently, one of our partners had a firsthand reminder of just how powerful these tools can be. When her daughters were in a car accident, their phones automatically activated Emergency SOS, immediately notifying family members and connecting them with emergency services. Everyone is safe — and the experience reinforced how important it is to take a few moments to set this up before it’s ever needed.

Your smartphone’s Emergency SOS feature can automatically contact 911, share your location, and alert loved ones if you need help. Taking just a few minutes to enable and personalize it ensures you and those closest to you are better protected — wherever life takes you.

For iPhone Users

Activation:
Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Drag it to call emergency services, or continue holding to place the call automatically.

Set Up Emergency Contacts using the Health app:

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile picture → Medical ID → Edit.
3. Scroll to Emergency Contacts, then tap Add Emergency Contact.
4. Choose a contact and specify your relationship.
5. Turn on Share During Emergency Call to have your contacts automatically notified with your location if SOS is activated.

Set Up Emergency Contacts using a Contact Card:

1. Launch the Phone app and tap on the Contacts tab.
2. Select a Contact.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Contact Card and tap “Add to Emergency Contacts” button.
4. Choose a label that best describes your relationship with the Contact or tap on “Add Custom Label” to add your own.
5. Your Medical ID will open with your nominated contacts under the “Emergency Contacts” section.  Tap “Done” to save your changes. 

Satellite SOS (iPhone 14 and later):
If you’re outside of cellular or Wi-Fi range, your iPhone can text emergency services via satellite — a powerful lifeline when traveling or outdoors.

To review or update these settings: Settings → Emergency SOS.

For Android Users

Activation:
On most Android phones, press the power button five times quickly to trigger Emergency SOS. Your phone can automatically call 911 and share your location with your chosen contacts.

Set Up Emergency Contacts:

1. Go to Settings → Safety and emergency → Emergency contacts.
2. Tap Add contact and choose who you’d like notified.
3. Enable Share my location if available.
4. Some devices (like Google Pixel or Samsung) also allow you to automatically send a short message, record video, or share updates with your contacts during an emergency.

A Small Step for Greater Security

Technology can’t replace the care and attention we have for one another — but it can help us stay connected and protected when it matters most.

Taking a few minutes to set up your phone’s Emergency SOS and emergency contacts gives you and your loved ones added peace of mind. It’s one more way to prepare thoughtfully for life’s unexpected moments.

At Arbor, our mission is to help you protect what matters most — your family, your future, and your sense of security. Whether that’s through sound financial planning or practical steps like this, we’re here to help you feel confident and supported every step of the way.