Emergency Contacts on Your Phone
If you become ill, injured, or unable to communicate during an emergency, information on your phone may help someone contact a person you trust. Many smartphones can show emergency contacts and selected medical details without being unlocked. A few minutes of preparation can make that information easier to find.
Start here: Choose your phone below, add your emergency contacts, and make them available from the lock screen. Then check that someone could find them without knowing your passcode. Do not place an emergency call while checking.
Set up your phone
Choose your phone below. Menus and available features can differ by model and software version. If a setting is hard to find, search your phone’s Settings app for “emergency” or follow the linked manufacturer instructions for more detail.
Samsung Galaxy
Use your phone’s emergency settings to choose who can be contacted and, if you wish, which medical details can be seen.
- Open Settings → Safety and emergency → Emergency contacts.
- Tap Add member, choose your contacts, and tap Done. Turn on Show on Lock screen.
- Optional: Open Medical info in Safety and emergency. Add the details you want to share, save them, and enable Show on Lock screen separately.
Check it from the lock screen: Wake the phone and tap Emergency call, then the green dialpad icon to view saved contacts. To check medical details, choose View medical info. Do not tap a contact or dial a number during this check.
Apple iPhone
Use the Health app to set up a Medical ID with emergency contacts and, optionally, important medical details.
- Open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then select Medical ID.
- Tap Get Started or Edit. Add your emergency contacts and any medical details you choose to share, such as serious allergies or medications.
- Turn on Show When Locked, then tap Done.
Check it from the lock screen: Swipe up or press the Home button to reach the passcode screen. Tap Emergency, then Medical ID. Do not dial a number.
Google Pixel
Use the Safety app (also called Personal Safety) to save emergency contacts and optional medical details.
- Open the Safety app (called Personal Safety in some menus), then tap Your info.
- Choose Emergency contacts to add a contact. Optionally, add details under Medical information.
- Under Emergency info access, turn on Show when locked.
Check it from the lock screen: Swipe up, tap Emergency, then View emergency info. Do not make a call.
Other Android phones
Many Android phones offer emergency contacts and medical information, although the settings vary by manufacturer.
- Search Settings for “emergency,” or look for Safety & emergency or a Safety app.
- Add emergency contacts and, if you want, important medical details.
- Enable Show when locked or a similar option, if available.
Check it from the lock screen: On supported phones, swipe up, tap Emergency, then View emergency info. If your phone differs, use its manufacturer’s instructions. Do not make a call.
A quick setup checklist
- Choose at least one emergency contact and, ideally, a backup. Ask each person if they are willing to be contacted in an emergency.
- Check that names and telephone numbers are current.
- Add any medical information that could be important in an emergency, such as serious allergies or medications, while considering your privacy.
- Enable lock-screen access where supported.
- Lock your phone and check that someone can find your emergency information without entering your passcode or making an emergency call.
- Review your information at least once a year, and whenever an emergency contact or important medical detail changes.
Protect your privacy. Information you make accessible from your lock screen may be visible to anyone holding your phone. Share only what you feel is necessary. Emergency responders may not always look for this information, and your phone could be unavailable, damaged, or without power. Consider carrying a small emergency contact card as a backup. You do not need to provide personal or medical details to Marsh Hawk Digital to use this page.
Know how to use Emergency SOS
Many smartphones have an Emergency SOS feature that can help you contact emergency services quickly. Depending on your phone and location, it may also share your location or notify chosen contacts. Learn how the feature works and review its settings before you need it. Do not activate an actual emergency call just to test it.
- Apple iPhone: Emergency SOS
- Samsung Galaxy: Emergency SOS overview
- Google Pixel: Personal Safety and Emergency SOS
- Android: Emergency SOS and emergency information
Learn first aid and CPR
Preparing your phone is one way to get ready. Learning basic first aid and CPR is another. Training can help you recognize an emergency, provide appropriate assistance, and learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) while waiting for professional help.
Choose your country below to explore first aid and CPR training providers.
United States
United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand
Other countries
Looking for first aid training elsewhere? The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies maintains a directory of national organizations. Use it to find a local organization and explore any training opportunities it offers.
If you need certification for work or another purpose, check that your chosen course meets the relevant requirements, including any required hands-on assessment.
This page provides general emergency-preparedness information. It is not a substitute for medical advice, first aid training, or professional emergency assistance. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services. Phone features and setup instructions may vary by device and region.
Related resource: Personal Affairs Organizer helps you organize important personal, household, and emergency information so it can be found when needed.