Helpful Guide
Most people mean to sort this out one day, then keep putting it off. Emergency contacts and emergency information can feel like the kind of phone job that only matters later, until later suddenly arrives.
The good news is that setting this up is usually straightforward. Once it is done, your phone can make it easier for the right person to be reached if you have a fall, feel unwell, or need help quickly.
The simple aim: add one or two trusted contacts, add any important medical details you would want shared in an emergency, and check that the information is easy to find on your phone afterwards.
This can be especially useful for independent clients, anyone living alone, and families helping a parent or relative feel more confident with their mobile. It is also one of those small setup jobs that gives real peace of mind.
Why this matters more than people think
If something goes wrong, the person helping you may not know who to call. They may not know whether you have a medical condition, allergies, or medication that should be mentioned. Even if emergency services are contacted first, having the right details stored on the phone can still be helpful.
It is not about expecting the worst. It is about making an ordinary phone a little more useful if you ever need support in a hurry.
Keep it practical: choose contacts who are likely to answer, know you well, and would genuinely want to be called. A nearby relative, close friend, neighbour, or carer is often a better choice than a long list of people who may not pick up.
Before you start, decide what information to include
It helps to pause for two minutes before opening settings. Make a short plan first.
- Choose one or two main contacts you trust.
- Check their phone numbers are still correct.
- Think about any medical information you would want available in an emergency, such as allergies, important conditions, or regular medication.
- Keep the notes short and clear. This is not the place for a full life story.
If the writing on your phone feels awkward to read while you do this, our guide on making your phone easier to read and hear may help first.
How to add emergency contacts on an iPhone
On iPhone, emergency contacts are linked through your Medical ID in the Health app. Apple also lets you choose whether key information can be shown from the lock screen.
- Open the Health app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top corner.
- Tap Medical ID.
- Tap Edit.
- Scroll to Emergency Contacts and tap Add emergency contact.
- Choose the person from your contacts and add their relationship to you.
- Review the rest of the Medical ID page and add any details you want available in an emergency.
- Check the lock screen option if you want Medical ID details to be viewable from a locked iPhone.
- Tap Done to save.
On some iPhones, you may also see options linked to Emergency SOS and sharing information during an emergency call. Read each option calmly and keep the settings that feel right for you.
Helpful iPhone tip: if you use an Apple Watch as well, your Medical ID and emergency contact setup can support emergency features there too.
How to add emergency contacts on an Android phone
Android phones vary more than iPhones, so the exact path can differ by brand. Google’s current guidance points many people to the Safety app or to emergency information inside phone settings.
- Open the Safety app if your phone has it.
- Sign in to your Google Account if asked.
- Tap Your info or the emergency information section.
- Add your medical information if you want it stored there.
- Tap Emergency contacts and add one or more trusted contacts.
If you do not see the Safety app, use your phone’s settings search and type emergency. On some Android phones, emergency contacts and medical details are stored inside Settings rather than in a separate app.
Do not worry if your Android phone looks different from someone else’s. Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and other Android phones can label these menus slightly differently. The important thing is to search for emergency, safety, or medical info.
What details are worth adding
You do not need to fill every possible field. Clear essentials are better than clutter.
- Your main emergency contact.
- A second contact if there is someone else who should be called.
- Allergies if they are important.
- Medical conditions that would be useful for helpers to know.
- Medication notes if relevant.
- Your relationship to each contact so the information is easier to understand quickly.
Keep the wording simple. For example, Penicillin allergy is more useful than a long explanation. If you are unsure what should be listed, ask your GP surgery, pharmacist, or a close family member who helps with your care.
How to check it worked properly
Do not just save the settings and assume all is well. Check it properly while you still remember where everything is.
- Lock the phone.
- Look for the Emergency option on the lock screen.
- See whether your emergency information can be reached in the way you intended.
- Open the contact details again while unlocked and confirm the right names and numbers are there.
- Tell your chosen contact that you have added them, so they are not surprised if they are ever called.
That last step matters. It is much better for someone to know they are your chosen contact in advance.
When to update your emergency contacts
Once this is set up, it is worth checking every few months or after a big life change.
- If someone changes their phone number.
- If you move house.
- If your health changes.
- If the person you chose is no longer the best contact.
- If you change to a new phone and want to make sure the information moved across properly.
If you have recently changed phones, our guide on keeping your WhatsApp chats when changing phones may also help with another part of the setup.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Adding too many people. One or two strong contacts is usually enough.
- Choosing someone who rarely answers their phone.
- Forgetting to review the lock screen settings.
- Adding old numbers you have not checked for years.
- Leaving the job half-finished because the phone menu looked unfamiliar.
A calm ten-minute setup is far more helpful than an incomplete one done in a rush.
When it is worth getting help
If you are not sure which settings to use, if the menu wording is confusing, or if you want someone patient to sit with you while you set up emergency contacts and other important phone basics, Simply Tech Support can help. That might mean checking the right settings, making sure the contact details are correct, and helping you feel confident that the phone is set up in a sensible way.
The aim is not just to change a setting. It is to leave you feeling clear, comfortable, and better prepared.
