Apple’s Emergency SOS feature was a highlight of its annual Fall event, with an introductory video featuring various people whose lives have been saved or vastly improved using this feature along with other health features of the iPhone and Apple Watch. So it’s delightful news that Apple has decided to extend its Emergency SOS via satellite service to iPhone 14 owners in Canada and the U.S. for free for another year.
The Emergency SOS via satellite service, which launched a year ago, is offered for free for a year after which users must pay a subscription fee if they want to continue. With this announcement, iPhone 14 owners get a full 24 months free. The feature is also available on the new iPhone 15 models and those who purchased one of those new phones would still be enjoying their first free year.
What is Emergency SOS via satellite? Available in 16 countries and regions, allows iPhone owners with a compatible device to text emergency services in the event of an emergency, even if they are outside of a cellular or Wi-Fi coverage area.
“Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world,” says Kaiann Drance, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “From aman who was rescued after his car plummeted over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles, to lost hikers found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, we continue to hear stories of our customers being able to connect with emergency responders when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this ground-breaking service for two more years for free.”
Complementing Emergency SOS is a host of other safety features available with the latest iPhones and iOS. Use the Find My app, for example, to share your location via satellite, especially useful if you’re traveling off the grid. With Crash Detection, the phone can detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services for you. If you’re unconscious or unable to reach the phone, this could be a literal lifesaver.
There’s also Check In, available with iOS 17 and later, which you can use the notify friends and family members when you have made it to a destination safely. This is great for tweens and teens walking to a friend’s house on their own, a young woman going for a run late at night, or an elderly person traveling on their own. Set up Medical ID in the Health app as well, which first responders can access to see critical medication information right from the Lock Screen without the need for a passcode. This might include any health conditions you have, drug allergies, and more.
The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Emergency SOS via satellite prior to 12 a.m. PT on November 15, 2023. For Emergency SOS via satellite availability, visit support.apple.com/en-ca/HT213426.