A Step-by-step Guide on Sending Emergency SOS Signals From Your Phone

Table of contents:

• What is an Emergency Call Button? Is It Easy to Use?
• How to Set Up and Send an Emergency Alarm on Android
• How to Set up and Send an Emergency Alarm on iPhone
• How to Send an Emergency Alarm with the AllsWell Alert app
• Final Thoughts

Modern technologies are advanced enough to take care of our safety with features like SOS signals and emergency call buttons. There are different ways to send SOS alerts depending on your device and whether you have any additional apps installed.

Today we will explore these ways and present a short guide on how to send an emergency signal. Find instructions for top platforms and applications, including AllsWell Alert.

What is an Emergency Call Button? Is It Easy to Use?

What is an emergency call button? The emergency call button is a function of an electronic device or app that sends an emergency SOS signal to different contacts to receive help. We've already discussed the benefits of having a safety app on your phone. In short, it sends panic alerts with a GPS location to a custom list of emergency contacts while remaining a light feature that doesn't require much of your phone storage and specs.

Sending an emergency call is not a problem as well. The device may have an in-built emergency SOS feature, or you can download a separate app for it. After installing an app, you set it up and choose a monthly subscription based on the desired features. Most of the apps have a free trial, so you are free to choose what suits you best.

How to Set Up and Send an Emergency Alarm on Android

Built-in emergency SOS features differ depending on the operating system you use. On Android, we recommend having the latest Android 12 version to get all of the functions working. Here's how you can use your phone to send an alarm to a phone number.

Setting up Google Emergency

Google has developed an application called Google Emergency, which is installed by default on any Android device. According to Google Support Page, you need to:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap Safety & Emergency.

3. Toggle Emergency SOS.

4. Specify settings.

5. Provide the necessary permissions.

6. Specify emergency SOS actions (e.g., press the power button 5 or more times quickly to initiate an SOS signal)

Putting a Lock Screen Message

You can also put a message on your lock screen. This way, a person who may find you unconscious will know how to help. 

Follow these steps: 

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.

2. Tap Display.

3. Tap Advanced.

4. Tap Lock screen display.

5. Tap Lock screen message.

6. Enter the information that will help in an emergency

7. Save.

You can also add emergency information on your lock screen (e.g., medications, allergies, blood type, etc.) This feature is available in Settings > About phone > Emergency information. Here you can also add emergency contacts to display on your lock screen.

Customizing Danger Notifications

Google Emergency App supports a danger notification broadcast. This includes disaster warnings, air sirens, threat notifications, and AMBER. You can customize these alerts based on your personal safety needs and the current situation in your location.

To do that:

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.

2. Tap Notifications.

3. Tap Wireless emergency alerts.

4. Turn on/off the notifications. Set up what alerts you want to receive and how often. Configure sound and vibration.

Turning On Android Emergency Location Service

Android Emergency Location Service will send your device location automatically to first responders (if supported in your location).

To turn this feature on:

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.

2. Tap Location (or Security & location > Location).

3. Tap Location Services.

4. Tap Emergency Location service or Google Emergency Location Service.

5. Switch Emergency Location Service on or off.

How to Set up and Send an Emergency Alarm on iPhone

iOS devices are just as popular as Android and have similar personal safety and SOS alert features.

Сalling the Local Emergency Number

The Emergency SOS button works similarly on iOS devices. When you make an SOS call, your iPhone will call the local emergency number by default. 

Depending on your iOS device version, the settings may differ.

On iPhone 8 and later:

1. Hold the side button and one of the volume buttons to see the Emergency SOS slider.

2. Drag it to call emergency services.

3. You can keep holding the side button and one of the volume buttons instead of dragging the slider to initiate a countdown and sound an SOS alert.

4. You can hold the button till the end of the countdown to automatically dial emergency services.

On iPhone 7 and earlier:

1. Press the top or side button five times to see the Emergency SOS slider.

2. Drag the slider to call emergency services.

Sending the Location to Emergency Contacts Automatically

To make your iPhone 8 or later send the information automatically:

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap Emergency SOS.

3. Turn Call with Hold/Call with five presses on.

After the call ends, your device will send an alarm to the phone numbers on your emergency contacts with a text message containing your current location. This will happen even if Location Services is off. Your contacts will also get a notification if your location changes.

Adding Emergency Contacts

Here's how to add emergency contacts to choose them as your safety option:

1. Open Health App.

2. Tap your profile picture (here, you can specify medical information like on Android devices)

3. Tap Edit.

4. Go to Emergency Contacts.

5. Tap the Add button.

6. Tap the necessary contact.

7. Tap Done to save the settings.

 

How to Send an Emergency Alarm with the AllsWell Alert app

If you need more advanced safety features on your phone, an app like AllsWell Alert might be the best option. AllsWell Alert is available on Android and iOS to power your smartphone with a panic SOS button and inactivity monitoring. It is suitable both for personal safety and monitoring your loved ones. Learn more about how AllsWell Alert works here.

Setting AllsWell Alert Up

First, you need to set it up:

1. Install AllsWell Alert from Google Play or App Store.

2. Open the app.

3. Enter your phone, name, and email.

4. Enter a 4-digit verification code.

5. Choose who are you getting AllsWell for: Myself or Loved one.

For Myself:

1. Enter details of your emergency contact.

2. Choose a subscription plan.

3. Finish the settings.

 

For Loved one:

1. Enter the details of a person who you will monitor.

2. Choose a subscription plan.

3. Finish the settings.

4. Install and set up the app on your loved one's smartphone, and complete previous setup steps.

Sending An Emergency SOS Alert

AllsWell Alert app's panic button allows you to instantly send emergency alerts to people you've chosen as emergency contacts.

• If you activate the button, each contact receives an SMS and an email. The email contains the map with your location at the moment of pressing the panic button. 

• After that, the emergency contact person gets in touch with you asap according to your arrangements.

• If the threat has gone and you swipe the panic button down to deactivate it, your emergency contacts receive notifications: 

"[user_name] canceled the alert. All seems to be well.

Your AllsWell Alert Team."

Sending Automated SOS Alerts With Inactivity Monitoring

One of AllsWell Alerts' main features is inactivity monitoring. It automatically triggers alerts when the user doesn't interact with their smartphone for too long. You can customize the inactivity period and other settings through the following steps:

1. Go to Schedule.

2. Set up an activity schedule and inactivity time. If you are inactive during the wake hours longer than you should be, AllsWell Alert will start a countdown to activate alerts.

3. Previously selected emergency contacts will get an SMS and email notification with your GPS location.

Final Thoughts

Personal safety solutions like AllsWell Alert offer an easy-to-use service that improves our loved ones' lives. The situations when someone loses consciousness, feels unwell, or gets injured happen daily. A panic button with automated inactivity monitoring is a blessing in these scenarios and can save lives.

Start a free AllsWell Alert 30-day trial on Android or iOS devices now to feel more secure.