Do you have questions about emergency calls? We have answers. Troubleshoot common issues, learn whether they'll work without a SIM card or on a data-only plan, and more!
Emergency Call Essentials
How to Activate Emergency Mode on iPhone
The iPhone has an emergency feature designed to connect users with emergency services quickly. There are various ways to activate it:
- Side button and volume button: To make an emergency call, press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons.
- Side button: Press the side button five times to make an emergency call.
- Fall detection: An Apple Watch can detect hard falls. The watch will call emergency services if you're immobile after a fall.
Note: You must ensure these features are activated under Emergency SOS in Settings.
When the emergency feature is activated, local emergency services will be dialed, and your location will be shared with emergency responders and pre-set emergency contacts. Satellite communication is also available for iPhone 14 or later models if the phone can't connect otherwise.
How to Set Up Emergency Contacts on iPhone
Here are the steps to follow to set up emergency contacts on your iPhone:
- Open the Health app
- Tap your profile picture
- Tap Medical ID
- Tap Add next to Emergency Contacts
- Tap Add Emergency Contact
- Select a contact and choose your relationship with them
- Tap Done
Note: If you'd like your medical information to be more accessible to first responders, you can also enable Show When Locked and Share During Emergency Call in Medical ID.
Emergency Calls, SIM card & eSIMs
Can You Call 911 Without a SIM Card?
Yes, you can call 911 even without a SIM card. With a no-SIM card emergency call, your phone will try to connect to any cellular network.
iPhone's Emergency SOS mode will speed up that process through the shortcuts discussed earlier. Note that without a SIM card, emergency services won't be able to call you back if you get disconnected.
Can You Call 911 With an eSIM?
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Yes, even with a data-only eSIM, you can still make emergency calls if your phone can connect to any local mobile network. It's a built-in safety feature for most modern phones. So, the eSIM itself doesn't enable emergency calls, but your device may still connect to emergency services as long as there's a cellular signal.
Airalo also offers data/calls/texts travel plans so you can stay connected for more than emergency phone calls. These plans are perfect for a multi-destination trip across several countries or regions.
Emergency Calls & Troubleshooting
Why Does My Phone Say: Emergency Calls Only?
If your phone says Emergency calls only, it's likely having trouble connecting to your carrier. We recommend reading our How to Fix the SOS Issue on Your iPhone blog if your iPhone is stuck in Emergency SOS mode.
What Happens If You Accidentally Call Emergency SOS on an iPhone?
When you initiate an emergency call, there will be a countdown. You can cancel the call while the countdown is still active by tapping Cancel. Do not hang up if you miss the countdown and the call goes through. Instead, tell the responder it was an accident.
You're now all set to face any emergency that comes your way. Stay safe on all your adventures, no matter how far they take you. From data-only eSIMS to data/call/texts eSIMs, Airalo is here to support you worldwide. Discover eSIMS for over 200+ destinations and save on roaming fees!
FAQs
How does Airalo work? Airalo provides eSIMs that allow you to access mobile networks without needing a physical SIM card. Purchase an eSIM plan through the Airalo app, install it on your device, and start using data immediately.
How to activate Airalo eSIM? Activation is simple. After purchasing a plan, follow the instructions in the Airalo app to install the eSIM on your device. Once installed, it will activate automatically.
Is my phone compatible with Airalo eSIM? Airalo eSIMs are compatible with most modern smartphones. Check the list of compatible devices.
What if my Airalo eSIM isn't working? Airalo's customer support is available 24/7 to assist you. You can contact support through the app or website for immediate help.
