Systems have a way of holding on to the past, quietly working the graveyard shift long after the world has moved on. When those old signals surface at the worst possible moment, they reveal just how fragile our assumptions about “the system” really are. Your phone, however, can tell a more accurate story — if you let it.
Phone Emergency Settings
Why Emergency Details Matter
In an emergency, you may not be able to speak for yourself. Emergency responders often check a phone’s lock screen for medical information—details that can prevent allergic reactions, guide treatment, and help them contact your whānau quickly. Most people don’t realise their phone already has a built‑in place to store this information.
This page outlines what to look for on any phone, regardless of operating system, and what information to include.
Tis the Season for Gifting
New phone? New habit.
If you’ve just been gifted a device—or you’ve given one to a family member—take a few minutes to set this up. Before the apps, before the photos, before the passwords: add the emergency info.
For older adults, children, or anyone with medical needs, this feature turns a phone into a silent safety net.
Seconds from Disaster
Imagine this: you’re in an accident. You’re unconscious. Emergency responders are trying to decide whether they can give you a medication—but they don’t know your allergies. They don’t know your conditions. They don’t know who to call.
Your phone does. Or at least, it could—if you’ve set up your emergency information.
Many people haven’t. Many people don’t even know the feature exists.
When the System Tries to Wake the Dead
Ever had emergency staff try calling your dead mother because the hospital system still had her listed as next of kin? I have. They weren’t doing anything wrong—they were using the database in front of them. My phone actually had the correct emergency contacts and medical details, but I was on my own and nobody thought to check it.
It highlights how rarely next‑of‑kin information gets reviewed or updated, and how easily outdated records can create distress. And to be clear—these weren’t paramedics or first responders, who are trained to look for phone‑based emergency info. This was a systems gap, not a people gap.
What to Look For (Any Phone, Any OS)
Every modern smartphone includes a way to store emergency details that can be accessed from the lock screen—no passcode needed. The names vary, but the function is the same.
Common Terms
- Emergency Information
- Medical ID
- Safety & Emergency
- Emergency SOS
- Emergency Contacts
- Lock Screen Emergency Info
- Health (iPhone-specific)
- In Case of Emergency (ICE)
Where These Options Usually Appear
- Settings → Safety & Emergency
- Settings → Security
- Settings → Lock Screen
- Health app (iPhone)
- Contacts app → Emergency Contacts (Samsung and some Android devices)
- Emergency button on the lock screen
What Information to Add
Regardless of your phone type, the emergency information fields are usually similar. Add:
- Allergies (especially medication allergies)
- Medical conditions
- Medications
- Emergency contacts
- Blood type (optional)
- Communication needs (e.g., hearing impairment)
- GP or specialist
- Implants or devices (e.g., pacemaker)
These are the details responders look for first.
Setup Instructions for iPhone and Android
iPhone (Medical ID via Health App)
- Open the Health app
- Tap your profile icon
- Select Medical ID
- Tap Edit
- Add your details
- Turn on Show When Locked
- Tap Done
Accessible from the lock screen via the Emergency button.
Android (Varies by Device)
- Open Settings
- Tap Safety & Emergency or Emergency Information
- Add your details
- Enable Emergency SOS if available
- On some devices, use the Contacts app → Emergency Contacts
- Confirm info is visible from the lock screen via the Emergency button
If your phone doesn’t support this natively, search for “ICE” apps in the Play Store.
Why This Feature Is Worth It
Emergency responders are trained to check phones for Medical ID or Emergency Info. When set up, this feature can:
- Prevent allergic reactions
- Speed up treatment decisions
- Provide essential medical context
- Help responders contact your whānau quickly
If it’s not set up, responders are left guessing.
Don't leave it to chance
Setting up your emergency details takes less than five minutes. It’s a quiet act of care—for yourself, and for the people who may need to find you.
Bridging the digital gap...Keeping ghosts out of the system
