How to contact emergency services fast on your smartphone

All smartphones have an Emergency SOS function, which allows you to call emergency services and alert your emergency contacts, quickly and easily, without having to mess around with apps, keypads and keyboards.

You can also call Triple Zero from a locked phone if you’re unable to unlock it.

Here’s how to do this on iPhone and Android devices. 

On an iPhone SE or iPhone 8 or later

Using Emergency SOS

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
2. Drag the Emergency Call slider to call emergency services. 
3. If you continue to hold down the side button and volume button, instead of dragging the slider, a countdown begins and an alert sounds. If you release the buttons after the countdown, your iPhone automatically calls emergency services.

When you make a call with Emergency SOS, your iPhone automatically calls Triple Zero (000) and shares your location information with emergency services. 

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 chance. 

If you start the countdown by accident, you can cancel. Release the side button and volume button before the countdown ends. 

On an Android 12 or later

From the lock screen

1. Go to the lock screen
2. Tap the telephone icon at the bottom of your lock screen (if you have shortcuts visible)
3. When the keypad is visible, dial 000 to reach Triple Zero.

Using Emergency SOS

Using Emergency SOS

1. Open the Settings app. 
2. Select "Safety & emergency."
3. Scroll down to Emergency SOS and toggle it on.
4. Tap on Emergency SOS.
5. In the "Make emergency call" section, verify the phone number is Triple Zero (000).
6. Toggle on "Share info with emergency contacts" to share your location with your emergency contacts when you activate Emergency SOS.
7. When Emergency SOS is turned on, pressing the side power button quickly 5 times or more will call emergency services after giving you the option to cancel.

You can also add emergency contacts and set your phone to send them a message in an emergency. 

What to do if you call Triple Zero (000) accidentally

If the call has been made but you don’t need emergency services, don’t hang up. 

Wait until a responder answers, then explain that you don’t need help.