Free iPhone upgrade adds life-saving 911 feature in iOS 18 update – learn to use it now before you ever need to

MILLIONS of iPhone models will soon be upgraded with a potentially life-saving emergency video-calling feature.

It'll let emergency dispatchers ask for live footage directly from your iPhone camera – giving them an instant view of the scene.

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The upgrade is rolling out to the iPhone as part of this year's iOS 18 update.

There's no official release date yet, but it's expected to land in mid-September.

Once it arrives, dispatchers who answer your 911 call in the United States will be able to ask for a video feed.

"Emergency SOS Live Video allows users to share context through streaming video and recorded media," Apple explains.

"In the middle of an emergency call, participating emergency dispatchers can send a request for a user to share live video or media from the user’s camera roll over a secure connection, making it easier and faster to get help."

Your iPhone will show a prompt that asks for permission for live video.

And you can also grant access to share images from your iPhone's Photos Library too.

You could show an injury that you've sustained, or use the video to let dispatchers know what an emergency scene – like a road traffic accident – looks like.

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Apple is working with platforms that 911 dispatchers already use, like RapidSOS Unite and Prepared.

That way, you'll be able to start using the feature as soon as it's live.

"By connecting with 911 callers to see live video, share photos, send texts and get fast, accurate location information, dispatchers can quickly understand the situation, and dispatch appropriate first responders," a Prepared memo on the feature explained.

"Prepared also allows dispatchers to share data with police, fire or EMS to assess emergencies while en route, which helps expedite response while reducing the burden on 911 staff."

Apple has already released screenshots showing what the feature will look like.

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So you can familiarize yourself with it before you'd ever actually need to use it in an emergency.

EMERGENCY TOOLS ON IPHONE

Of course there are plenty of existing features on your iPhone that you can use during an emergency.

Your iPhone has a built-in feature called Emergency SOS.

This lets you quickly and easily call for help if you're in trouble – as well as alerting your emergency contacts.

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If you've got an iPhone 8 or later, just press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons.

Then drag the Emergency Call slider to call emergency services.

On an iPhone 7 or earlier, rapidly press the side or top button five times, and then drag the slider.

"When you make a call with SOS, your iPhone automatically calls the local emergency number and shares your location information with emergency services," Apple explains.

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"You can also add emergency contacts. After an emergency call ends, your iPhone alerts your emergency contacts with a text message, unless you choose to cancel.

"Your iPhone sends your current location, and for a period of time after you enter SOS mode, your emergency contacts receive updates when your location changes."

To add Emergency Contacts, go to Health > Profile Picture > Medical ID > Edit > Emergency Contacts > Add.

Then hit Done once you've entered the correct details.

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You can also change how your iPhone calls emergency services – just go into Settings > Emergency SOS.

For instance, you can toggle on Call with Hold and Release or Call with 5 Button Presses.

And there's also an option to Call Quietly, which is useful if you're trying to make a call to emergency services that goes unnoticed by people near you physically.

EMERGENCY SOS VIA SATELLITE

Apple has gone even further by letting you use the power of satellites to make emergency calls.

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If you've got an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15, or iPhone 15 Pro, you can use Emergency SOS via Satellite to send texts to emergency services.

This lets you contact them even if you're "off the grid" with no cell signal or Wi-Fi coverage.

"Emergency SOS via satellite can help you connect with emergency services under exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching emergency services are available," Apple explains.

"If you call or text emergency services and can't connect because you're somewhere with no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, your iPhone tries to connect you via satellite."

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If you go into Settings > Emergency SOS, there's a demo that you can try to practice how it works.

To use the feature in a genuine emergency, first try calling your local emergency number.

If the call doesn't connect, you'll be give the option to text emergency services via satellite.

Tap it then choose Report Emergency.

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You can then use simple taps to answer emergency questions, and you'll get the option to notify your emergency contacts too.

The iPhone will guide you on connecting to a satellite, and will then begin a text conversation with emergency responders.