Could Someone Find Your Emergency Details?

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Your phone can hold a surprising amount of information about you. But if something happened and you could not unlock it yourself, would someone know who to contact or whether you had important medical information?

Most modern smartphones have an emergency information feature that can be accessed from the lock screen. The exact options vary between Apple and Android devices, but they can allow you to list an emergency contact and, depending on the phone, other information that could help in an emergency.

It is worth setting this up even if you rarely think about emergencies. A paramedic, police officer, or helpful stranger may be able to see the information without needing your passcode, depending on your device and settings.

Start by checking whether your emergency contact is still the right person. An old number, former partner, or relative who has moved overseas is not particularly useful when someone needs to contact your family quickly.

You can also review what information you have chosen to make available. Some phones allow details such as allergies, blood type, or other medical information to appear on the lock screen. Only include information you are comfortable having accessible in that way, and make sure anything you enter is accurate.

Do not assume that adding an emergency contact automatically gives them access to your phone. It does not. The purpose is simply to make selected information available without requiring the phone to be unlocked.

Once you have updated the details, test how they appear from the lock screen. You do not need to call the emergency contact. Simply check that you can find the emergency information option and that the details displayed are correct.

It is a good setting to review after changing your phone, changing your mobile number, or having a major change in your family circumstances. Even if nothing has changed, checking it once a year is sensible.

Your phone is probably one of the first things you grab when leaving the house. Spend a few minutes making sure it can also help someone else if you are unable to speak for yourself.