It’s an iOS feature that may save your life.
In a natural disaster, there’s a high chance of losing cellphone and internet service, making it impossible to contact loved ones or emergency services.
However, a little-known feature called Apple Emergency SOS on the iPhone could be a literal lifesaver.
Michael Miraflor recently shared a story on X, formerly known as Twitter, of the devastating Maui wildfires that provided a real-life example of how invaluable the feature can be.
“My brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them,” Miraflor explained in the tweet, which has topped 8.7 million views since being posted Aug. 9.
“No cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders,” he continued. “Literally saved their lives.”
The feature sends messages to emergency responders using a satellite, even if you don’t have any cellular service.
Miraflor shared a screenshot of the Emergency SOS texts between the fire department and dispatchers, which pinpointed his family’s location and sent this info to the dispatcher.
That enabled the endangered residents to communicate the conditions surrounding them.
In a comment, Milafor said the family was safely evacuated within 30 minutes because of the Emergency SOS satellite feature.
The family was found at the Outlets of Maui, a shopping mall in Lahaina near the fires, according to the Economic Times.
Read the full story here.
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