My brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them.
No cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders. Literally saved their lives. pic.twitter.com/PpxNwTGOAf
— Michael J. Miraflor (@michaelmiraflor) August 10, 2023
You might be wondering how this screenshot came to be. When you activate Emergency SOS, you have the option to share the conversation with your emergency contacts and let them know what the situation is.
The Emergency SOS via Satellite feature came with the announcement of the iPhone 14 series. It is free for the first two years after the user activates their iPhone 14. When activated, you get asked a few questions about the emergency during which time the phone is connecting to the satellites. Once the connection has been established, the signal is sent out to relay centers where specialists forward it to the appropriate authorities.
Currently, Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature works in the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, and Portugal. However, keep in mind that Emergency SOS via satellite isn’t offered on iPhone models purchased in China mainland, Hong Kong, or Macao, even if you are in a country that supports it while traveling.
