To ensure you get the help needed during an emergency, have medical details and updated emergency contacts at the ready on your mobile phone for first responders and medical professionals. Not only will phone settings direct emergency personnel to special contacts, they also alert to key information, such as allergies. Here’s how to set up medical id on an iPhone and emergency contacts on an Android in a few easy steps.
Setting Up Medical ID on iPhone
If you’re not familiar with iPhone’s Medical ID feature located inside the Health app, this is where important medical information can be stored. Myriad information can be stored here to assist medical professionals during an emergency, including immunization records, allergies, blood type, organ donor registration, etc.
Here are the steps to set up your Medical ID on an iPhone:
1. To access the Medical ID feature, scroll up and click on your profile icon in the top right corner. And, select the Medical ID under the Medical Details section, followed by edit in the top right corner.
2. Make sure “Show When Locked” is on by swiping right so it lights green.
3. Fill out any information you want available to emergency responders, such as medical conditions, medical notes, allergies, and reactions, plus medications. If you know your blood type enter that along with whether you’re an organ donor.
4. Once you’ve filled in your information, as well as your emergency contacts, select “Done” in the top right corner.
To access your Medical ID via your lock screen, try to unlock your phone by swiping in the direction your iPhone normally unlocks or use a finger that’s not been registered in your Finger Print ID to access the passcode screen. If you use Face ID, cover the camera to prevent it from recognizing you and unlocking your phone.
When the passcode screen lights up, tap on “Emergency” in the bottom left of your screen followed by Medical ID. You’ll be able to see all the information you provided.
Set Up Emergency Details on an Android Phone
While Android doesn’t have Medical ID, it does have a place to store medical information and emergency contacts. This process may vary depending on the brand of phone you’re using. Typically, you should be able to access your settings app and search for emergency information.
Here are the steps to set up emergency details on Android:
1. Go to your “Settings” > “Users” > “Emergency Contact Information”
2. Fill out all the categories you find important, starting with your name.
3. Once you’re done filling out the categories, select the “Contacts” tab.
4. Select “Add Contact” and choose your emergency contacts from the list.
Unfortunately accessing this information on your lock screen isn’t as easy. In order to ensure that medical professionals can get this info, the easiest way is to customize a wallpaper that provides these details.
Another alternative is going to your app store and downloading “Medical ID (Free)” which is similar to Apple’s version of Medical ID. This app gives you the option to access this information despite your phone being locked.
Samsung Devices
If you’re a Samsung user follow these directions:
1. Open up the Phone app and select the Contacts tab.
2. Next, select “My Profile” and scroll to the bottom of the page. You should find an emergency information section to store medical data and emergency contacts.
3. To verify your information is accessible to others, unlock your phone by pressing the power button or tapping on the screen. When the passcode screen appears, tap on “Emergency or Emergency call” or any variation of that phrasing that appears at the bottom of your screen. Following this, a screen should provide a button that shows medical information.
Google Pixel 4
Google Pixel 4 users have a different process ahead of them. Users have a built-in Personal Safety app. Setting up the app can detect car crashes and call for help as well as providing contact information for first responders.
Here’s how to use the Personal Safety app features:
1. Once you open the app, select the gear on the top left corner.
2. First, select “Car crash detection” and tap the toggle to enable it. You can select “Try a demo” to see how this feature works.
3. Go back to the previous screen where you’ll see categories you can fill out with the appropriate information. Make sure to update your emergency contacts and any medical information.
4. Make sure “Show when device is locked” is on to ensure others can access this info in the case of an emergency.
Now that your phone is helping you in the case of an emergency, help your kids and family in times of crisis.
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