Pressing the side button on an iPhone five times in rapid succession activates the Emergency SOS feature, which immediately contacts emergency services and shares your location with pre‑selected contacts.
How Emergency SOS is triggered
The iPhone detects five quick presses of the side (power) button. After the fifth press, a countdown begins, and the phone automatically dials the local emergency number unless you cancel the action.
What happens after the call is placed
Once the call connects, the device transmits your GPS location to the emergency operator. Simultaneously, the iPhone records your location and sends a text message to the emergency contacts you have set up in the Health app.
Canceling the SOS call
If you press the side button again or tap the “Cancel” button on the screen before the countdown ends, the call is aborted and no messages are sent. This safety net prevents accidental calls.
Setting up Emergency SOS
To use the feature, open Settings → Emergency SOS. Here you can:
- Enable or disable the five‑press shortcut.
- Add emergency contacts that receive your location.
- Choose whether the phone should automatically call emergency services after the countdown.
Compatibility and iOS requirements
Emergency SOS with the five‑press shortcut is available on iPhone 8 and newer models running iOS 11 or later. Older iPhones use a different method—press and hold the side button together with a volume button.
Why the feature exists
The shortcut provides a quick, hands‑free way to request help when you can’t unlock the phone or type a number. It’s especially useful in situations where you’re injured, in low light, or otherwise unable to navigate the screen.
Potential concerns
Accidental activation can happen if you frequently press the side button, such as when adjusting volume. Adjusting the sensitivity or disabling the shortcut in Settings can mitigate false alarms.