Accidentally calling 911 can be quite embarrassing, especially when it’s not an emergency. If you’re here because you’ve had this issue with your iPhone and want to prevent it from happening again, you’re in the right place.
Why Accidental 911 Calls Happen
The main culprit for these false alarms is the Emergency SOS feature on your iPhone. Unlike Emergency SOS via Satellite, which allows you to reach emergency services without a signal, Emergency SOS is designed to quickly connect you to 911 in a crisis. It’s a handy feature, but its ease of use can also lead to unintended calls.
How Emergency SOS Triggers on iPhone
Emergency SOS can be activated in two ways:
- Pressing the Side Button Five Times: This was the original method to trigger Emergency SOS.
- Holding the Side Button and Volume Button: This newer method activates Emergency SOS by holding these buttons together.
Both methods initiate a countdown and a loud alarm (if enabled), eventually calling 911. Additionally, Emergency SOS may alert your emergency contacts if it’s set up.
Problems with the Current Setup
The five-button press method can accidentally be triggered if you mistakenly press the Side button or volume buttons while performing other functions. For example, if you’re trying to confirm an Apple Pay transaction or adjust the volume and press the buttons too many times, you might accidentally dial 911.
I once had my iPhone call 911 due to vibrations from driving on a bumpy road, which was a startling experience.
How to Prevent Accidental 911 Calls
To stop your iPhone from calling 911 automatically, go to Settings > Emergency SOS and turn off:
- Call with Hold and Release
- Call with 5 Button Presses
If you disable “Call with Hold and Release,” you can still use the gesture to access emergency services by pulling up the emergency slider menu. This menu includes options for turning off your phone, accessing Medical ID, and making an emergency call.
Other Features to Watch Out For
Aside from Emergency SOS, Apple’s Crash Detection feature can also call 911 automatically if it detects a severe car accident. This feature is helpful in real crashes but can sometimes be triggered by less severe incidents, like a fall while skiing. Thankfully, Apple has addressed many of these issues in recent software updates.
What to Do if You Accidentally Call 911
If you do accidentally call 911, don’t hang up. Stay on the line and explain that the call was accidental. Hanging up might lead responders to think there’s an emergency, causing them to use more resources to ensure your safety. Simply apologizing and confirming that you’re okay is the best way to handle the situation.
