So today I got an alert from my phone while at work. I had my phone set for some emergency alerts to bypass my Do Not Disturb. It was a crash detection alert from my older brothers phone, this concerned me, but I considered it might be a false alarm because there was no other notifications or anything and I didn’t do anything since I was in the middle of work. Moments later, I get the same alert from my younger brothers phone, and I knew something was up since I knew they were probably driving together. Turns out, they had rolled their truck 3 times from the left lane of the freeway, off the right side of the road. They are okay, but I am grateful for this iPhone feature as it got the emergency services there incredibly fast and my parents were also alerted and on the scene in no time.

Thought I’d share this story because if you’re looking at that feature and setting on your phone wondering “does this even work?” Or “do I really want to notify everyone if I crash” Turn it on. Also make it so you can get that notification when you need to.

My family has used out iPhones and Find My to stay connected and keep each other safe. Once when I was studying abroad I had to take a cab from the airport to the school, and the taxi driver was sketchy. I’m in another country and don’t know anyone, so what do I do? Have my dad watch my location in real time from the other side of the world. He’s also helped me with finding my way around with the same method.

Is there a function you use more often than you thought you would need to on your iPhone? Or maybe a time that it’s helped in an emergency?

  • loverboyv@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    As a motorcycle rider, this is one of the main reasons I’m hesitant to leave Apple.

  • Holmesnight@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    So sadder story but another reason to turn it on. Friends mom in her early 60s, and healthy to boot, fell in the shower and broke her neck alerting all the family of said fall. They got their, but it was sadly too late but without that family might not have known for a few days to a week.

  • blue_abyss_@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I’ve had to use my medical ID multiple times for hospital visits where I couldn’t communicate well.

  • PeaceMost@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Over the halloween weekend, I was involved in a 3 way car collision (everyone was okay) but before I could even collect myself and be able to reach out to my family - this feature had sent out an alert to my mother (who was listed as my emergency contact) who was notified of my car accident and had my location even though she was out of town at the moment and across the country - she was able to contact my brother to meet me before I can even realize what had happened. Never thought I would have to take advantage of this amazing new feature but seriously, check your settings and set it up.

  • bandak38134@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I had a fender bender. While I was out of my car, I got the crash alert and said I was ok on my watch. Then I went into the car to grab something, I heard 911 trying to talk to me. I would have thought that they’d sync but it didn’t.

  • _withoutacause@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Got rear ended by a garbage truck this past summer, totaled my car and phone went flying on impact. Passengers were knocked out cold. My watch automatically called 911 and i was able to get help.

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    Its a feature you hope you never have to use but sure as hell glad its there when you need it.

  • Quin1617@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The safety features along with how the ecosystem is integrated between mine and family devices is one of the main reasons I’ll never switch back.

  • lolcatandy@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    What happens if you just yeet your phone out of the window? Either accidentally or on purpose. Would the emergency services be dispatched to the phones location?

    • Tilas@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Actually, yes! My brother found an iPhone outside of a road while doing his work rounds, and it was active with 911 on the phone! It had activated crash detection and made a call, but no one was around! He picked it up to hear dispatch asking if anyone was there, so he answered, saying he just found this random phone on the ground. The dispatch insisted on sending an officer to the location, and asked if he’d be so kind as to wait, so he did.

      A few minutes later a patrol car rolled up, and the officers took a look around. No one was around, no sign of an accident. Bro answered a few questions about how/where he found the phone, handed it over, they thanked him for staying, and then he was allowed to go.

      So yeah, they’ll go looking for the phone even if it goes off on its own. They said they were about to send rescue to the phones coordinates before he answered.

  • FiCJordan@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    yeah my wife wrecked our neighbors car last week, i got alerted and drove right there

  • Ihatebeingmorid@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    This happened to my brother, he got into a bad accident which left him unconscious so he wasn’t able to dial emergency services, the phone automatically called them and notified me.

    I didn’t even know about this feature at the time

  • healthcrusade@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Only on iPhone 14 or later. Crash Detection is on by default. You can see if you have/manage crash detection by going to Settings: Emergency SOS

    • TrekkieMary@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Thank you for saying where that feature is. Helped me to find it. And yes, it was on … probably by default since I don’t remember ever setting it up