How to Set Up Emergency Contacts on Your Phone
Did you know your phone can help first responders contact your loved ones in an emergency — even if your phone is locked?
It’s a feature built into nearly every modern smartphone, but most people have never set it up. That’s where TechPals comes in. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add emergency contacts to your iPhone or Android, explain why it matters, and show you how to make the most of your phone’s built-in safety tools. It’s simple, it’s smart, and it could save your life — or someone else’s.
Let’s break it down.
What Are Emergency Contacts?
Emergency contacts are people whose names and phone numbers can be accessed from your lock screen in a crisis. That means if you're in an accident, unresponsive, or unable to use your phone, first responders or good Samaritans can still reach someone who knows you.
Think of emergency contacts as your phone’s “In Case of Emergency” card — like the ones people used to carry in their wallets. Except now, it’s built into your device, updated in real time, and accessible without unlocking your phone.
Why Emergency Contacts Matter
Here’s why setting this up is so important:
Medical emergencies: Paramedics can call your family, even if you can’t talk.
Car accidents: If you're unconscious or confused, emergency personnel can find your info fast.
Lost or stolen phone: A good Samaritan can call someone you trust to help return your phone.
Natural disasters or travel incidents: Emergency contacts are vital if you’re in an unfamiliar place or separated from your group.
Most people assume emergency workers will figure out who to call — but that’s not always true. If your phone is locked and there’s no clear contact info, it slows everything down.
What Info Can You Add?
Depending on your phone, you can usually include:
Emergency contacts (names, relationships, phone numbers)
Medical conditions (diabetes, epilepsy, etc.)
Allergies (especially to medications)
Blood type
Current medications
Organ donor status
Language spoken
Health insurance info
This information can appear on your lock screen — not to the public, but only when accessed through the emergency screen in good faith.
How to Add Emergency Contacts on iPhone
Apple makes this easy using the built-in Health app. Here’s how to do it:
Open the Health app (white icon with a red heart)
Tap your profile picture (top right)
Tap Medical ID
Tap Edit (top right again)
Scroll down to Emergency Contacts
Tap Add Emergency Contact
Select someone from your contact list
Choose their relationship to you (parent, spouse, friend, etc.)
Tap Done to save
Important: Make sure “Show When Locked” is turned ON. This allows emergency responders to access the information without unlocking your phone.
You can also add medical conditions, notes, and allergies in this same screen.
How to Access Emergency Info on a Locked iPhone
If someone finds your phone:
Press the side button or tap the screen to wake it
Tap Emergency on the bottom left of the lock screen
Tap Medical ID
From there, they’ll see your emergency contacts and medical info — and can make a call directly.
How to Add Emergency Contacts on Android
Because Android phones vary, your phone may have a slightly different setup. Here are the general steps:
Option 1: Using the Personal Safety or Emergency App
Open the Safety or Personal Safety app (pre-installed on many newer Android phones, especially Google Pixel)
Tap Emergency Information or Emergency Contacts
Tap Add Contact
Select people from your contact list
You can also add medical details and enable emergency sharing, which sends your real-time location to your contacts during a crisis.
Option 2: Through Settings
If your phone doesn’t have the Safety app:
Go to Settings
Search for “Emergency Info” or “Emergency Contacts”
Tap Add Emergency Information
Input your medical info and add contacts
Make sure the setting is enabled that allows this info to be shown on the lock screen.
How to Access Emergency Info on a Locked Android
Again, this may vary slightly:
Wake the screen
Swipe up or tap Emergency
Tap Emergency Information (it may require tapping twice)
You’ll see the person's medical ID and emergency contacts
If this isn’t working on your phone, visit techpals.org — we’ll help you find the correct method.
How to Choose the Right Emergency Contacts
You can add multiple people, so choose wisely. Ideal emergency contacts are:
Easy to reach
Likely to answer unknown numbers
Familiar with your medical history
Someone who lives nearby (if possible)
Common examples include:
A spouse or partner
An adult child or sibling
A neighbor or close friend
Your primary doctor or caregiver (in rare cases)
Tip from TechPals: Tell your emergency contacts you’ve listed them. That way, they won’t be surprised if they get a call one day.
How to Keep Your Emergency Info Updated
Life changes — and so should your emergency info.
Make a note to update your Medical ID every time you:
Change medications
Get a new phone number
Move to a new city
Change your primary doctor
Start a new allergy or condition
We recommend reviewing your info every six months. Set a calendar reminder — it only takes a few minutes.
What If You Don't See These Options?
Not all Android phones have the same interface. If you can’t find the settings, search for:
“Emergency Info”
“Lock Screen Info”
“Medical ID”
“Emergency SOS”
Or ask us directly at techpals.org — we’ll walk you through it for your specific device.
Emergency Contact FAQs
Can I add emergency info without unlocking the phone?
Yes. Once you set it up correctly, it’s viewable from the lock screen through the Emergency or Medical ID buttons.
Will this make my private info public?
No. Emergency contacts and health info are only visible through specific emergency access, not by anyone casually picking up your phone.
What if someone tries to abuse the system?
The emergency screen doesn’t unlock your phone or give access to texts, apps, or photos — it only shows the info you’ve chosen to share.
Can I add a note like “Call my daughter — she’s nearby”?
Yes. In the medical notes section, you can include anything you think might help — including notes about your language, doctor, or care preferences.
Other Helpful Safety Features to Consider
Modern phones come with even more tools to help you in an emergency. Here are a few:
Emergency SOS
On iPhone: Press the side button 5 times quickly to call 911
On Android: Press power button 3–5 times (varies by phone) to trigger emergency services or share your location
Share Location with Trusted Contacts
You can use apps like Google Maps, Find My, or your phone’s Safety app to share your real-time location with a trusted friend or family member.
Lock Screen Message
Some phones let you add a custom message to your lock screen, like:
“Medical Alert: Type 1 Diabetic. Call Jane (555) 123-4567.”
Look in Settings under Lock Screen > Owner Info (Android) or use the Medical ID setting (iPhone).
How TechPals Can Help
This feature is one of those things you hope you never need — but you’ll be glad it’s there if you do.
At TechPals, we walk people through setting up their phones for real life — including emergencies. We can help you:
Add emergency contacts
Set up Medical ID and Safety apps
Enable location sharing
Walk through Emergency SOS features
Test your settings to make sure they work
Whether you’re setting this up for yourself, a parent, or a neighbor, we make it easy and clear.
Visit techpals.org to schedule a session or get free advice from our blog.
Help Someone Else Set Theirs Up
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I should help my parents/kids/friend set this up too,” you’re absolutely right. Here’s how to approach it:
Frame it as a kindness, not a fear:
“I want to make sure someone can reach me if anything ever happens.”Offer to do it together:
“Let’s add each other as emergency contacts — I’ll show you how.”Send them this article or the link to techpals.org
Final Thoughts
Emergency contacts might not be something you think about every day — but they’re one of the most important things you can set up on your phone. In fact, they’re one of the only features designed specifically for moments when you can’t use your phone yourself. That’s what makes them so powerful.
At TechPals, we’ve seen time and time again how just a few minutes of setup can make a huge difference during a crisis. And yet, the vast majority of people we speak to have never taken the time to add emergency contacts or medical info to their device. Why? Usually it’s not because they don’t care — it’s because they didn’t know it was possible. Or they assumed someone else would figure it out for them.
But the truth is: when every second counts, having the right information available — and available fast — matters.
Why Now Is the Time to Set It Up
Think about this: if something happened to you tomorrow and you weren’t able to speak, would the people around you know who to call? Would a paramedic be able to tell if you’re allergic to a medication? Would your emergency contact’s number be easily accessible?
If the answer is no, now is the time to make a change.
The great thing is, it doesn’t take long. Setting up your emergency contacts usually takes less than 5 minutes. And once it’s done, you can go about your day knowing you’ve taken a real, tangible step toward protecting yourself — and easing the burden for anyone trying to help you.
It’s a small action with a potentially life-saving impact.
This Isn’t Just About You
If you’re reading this, you probably already care about safety and preparedness. But it’s not just about setting up your own device — it’s also about being the person who helps others prepare too.
Think about your aging parents, your kids heading off to college, your spouse, your best friend who always forgets her Apple ID password. These are the people who may need your help setting up their own emergency info — and who would want to help you if the roles were reversed.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to make a difference. You just need to start the conversation.
“Hey, did you know you can add emergency contacts to your phone?” is a great way to begin. Offer to show them how, or even set it up together while you're sitting on the couch watching TV.
It’s one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give someone — peace of mind.
TechPals Is Here Every Step of the Way
We understand that technology can feel overwhelming — especially when it’s tied to serious situations like emergencies. That’s why TechPals exists. We’re not just here to fix things when they go wrong — we’re here to make sure they go right in the first place.
If you’re unsure how to access the right screen, can’t find the Medical ID setting on your phone, or just want someone to walk you through it in plain English, that’s what we do. You don’t have to figure it out alone. You don’t even have to know what kind of phone you have — we’ll help you find out and go from there.
Visit techpals.org and let us know what you’re trying to do. We’ll take care of the rest.
Your Phone Can Do a Lot — Let’s Make Sure It Does What Matters
We use our phones for so many things — texting, photos, social media, games, news, even ordering food. But many people never tap into the features that matter most in a real emergency. Emergency contacts, medical info, safety tools — these are built right into your phone, waiting to be used.
So let’s use them.
It’s not scary. It’s not complicated. And it’s not about expecting the worst — it’s about being ready just in case.
You wear a seatbelt even if you don’t expect to crash. You have a fire alarm even if you never have a fire. Emergency contacts are the same idea — a simple precaution that protects you and helps others help you when it counts.
We’ll Leave You With This:
Set aside five minutes today. Open your phone. Add your emergency contacts. Make sure your info is current. Then check in with someone you love and help them do the same.
It’s easy. It’s important. And it’s something you’ll never regret doing.
Whether you call us TechPals or Tech Pals, we’re here to help make these things a little easier — with no judgment, no jargon, and no pressure. Just real help for the things that matter.
Need support right now? We’re ready. Head to techpals.org and we’ll walk through it together.
You’ve got this — and we’ve got your back.
