Today, most modern smartphones have an emergency call feature to use in case of danger. But do you know how to activate it on your mobile phone? For your own safety, it is important that you learn how to use this feature to mitigate any possible danger. Follow the guide!
What happens when you press the power button five times?

Pressing the side button of the phone – Source: spm
Since his arrival in our lives, we no longer let go of our cell phones. Whether they come from the iPhone or Android operating systems, they have become an integral part of our daily activities. However, few are those who know all the hidden functions of their mobiles, especially those that can get you out of trouble in certain risky situations. Did you know, for example, that the side button incorporates an emergency suit? When you press this power button five times in a row, the emergency call is activated immediately. You will then notice a countdown which, when complete, will contact the local emergency number for the authorities in your area. A security option that saves lives since the emergency services will come to your rescue in case of fire, car accident or robbery.
What is a wireless emergency alert on your mobile?
Emergency alerts are notifications or messages that reach our devices in the event of an emergency in our area. They alert us in case of a problem, in particular when a child goes missing or to avoid a dangerous situation. They operate efficiently through courier services. In addition, this technology is compatible with most cell phones around the world. This way, when the signal is sent to all devices, they will surely receive it, even if the user is in the process of making a call or sending messages to their contacts.
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Faced with an emergency situation or imminent danger, we find ourselves in a hectic and confusing context. However, it is important to react quickly without panicking. To keep a cool head and better understand the situation, you must have the reflex to call the emergency services. Fortunately, most of the new Apple and Android smartphones are equipped with such functionality. But, to get the most out of it, you must first have the presence of mind to set up the emergency call.
The procedure to follow differs depending on the operating system:
How to add an emergency contact on iPhone?

The health app on the phone – Source: spm
When setting up SOS mode, it is important to add fully trusted contacts. These are the steps to follow:
- Open the “Health” app and tap on your profile picture.
- Click on “Medical card”.
- In the upper right corner, click “Edit”.
- Scroll down to the Emergency Contacts section and click “Add Emergency Contact”.
- Select the contact you want to choose and specify your relationship to that person.
- From there, the chosen people will receive an SMS when the SOS emergency notification is activated.
Good to know : It is important to remember that within 24 hours of activating SOS mode, you will be prompted to stop location sharing. This is an important point related to user privacy, since once located, it is advisable to stop sharing your location.
How to set up an emergency message or contact on Android?
- Enter your settings.
- Select the “Security” tab.
- Click the “Emergency Information” (or “Lock Screen Message”) option.
- At this stage, you must provide all the information you want, including an emergency number or contact.
- Validate.
How to add emergency information on Android?
We remind you that this information will be of great value for medical services, particularly in the event that you are unable to respond. Also, in order for your medical information to be present on your Android device, you must fill out the questionnaire carefully. Please note that depending on your Android smartphone, the steps may differ slightly.
This is the procedure to follow:
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- Open your mobile phone settings.
- Click on “Phone Information,” then “Emergency Information.”
- At this stage, you must enter any information you consider necessary: name, address, blood type, allergies, medications… (the more, the better!).
- To include this information you just have to click on each of the options and fill them in correctly.
N.B : If you have a Samsung device, the place where the emergency data is placed is different, so it is better to use the finder in the settings.
When you face a danger or witness an emergency situation that requires the immediate assistance of the security forces, health emergencies, firefighters, civil protection or any other competent body, you should contact 112 (European emergency number). Please note that this is not an intelligence service – you should never use it just to gather general information, as resources should always be available to mobilize in really dangerous situations. To contact the police or the gendarmerie in the event of an emergency related to a traffic accident or to report a robbery, an assault or a crime, you must dial the number 17.
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