This hidden iPhone feature has saved countless lives during Maui fires
Published on Aug 16, 2023 at 6:28 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Aug 16, 2023 at 6:28 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
There’s a hidden iPhone feature that could potentially save your life.
It’s a feature most people may not know about.
Partly because it isn’t advertised but mostly because it’s the sort of feature you always hope you never have to use.
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The thing is, in the event of a natural disaster, there’s a strong chance of losing network service, meaning you won’t be able to access the internet, send text messages or make calls.
That’s exactly what happened to Maui residents who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time during the Maui wildfires.
There was no cell service, but a Maui resident and his family were still able to send an SOS using Apple Emergency SOS system, which doesn’t require 4G or a cell connection because it uses satellites.
The details were shared by Michael Miraflor, a relative of the family, who took to Twitter / X to explain what happened.
“My brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them,” Miraflor said in a tweet.
“[There was] no cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders. It literally saved their lives,” he further explained.
Miraflor also shared a screenshot of the Emergency SOS texts that were sent to the fire department and dispatchers.
As we can see from the screenshot, the emergency text also pinpoints the location and useful info.
This Apple feature was first released in November 2022, and it is currently available on the iPhone 14.
When you make a call with SOS, your iPhone automatically calls the local emergency number and shares your location with emergency services.
Further, you can also add emergency contacts, who will be alerted with a text message after the call ends.
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