Add Emergency Contacts to Your iPhone Lock Screen: A Quick Guide

Updated at: 30/06/2025

In a crisis, seconds count. Knowing your loved ones can be reached instantly is crucial. This quick guide shows you how to add emergency contacts directly to your iPhone's lock screen. No more frantic searching for phone numbers—access vital information at a glance, even with a passcode enabled. Learn this simple yet life-saving tip to ensure help is just a swipe away. Let's get started!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Access Medical ID

    • Open the Health app on your iPhone.
    • Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
    • Tap on "Medical ID".
    Tap on "Medical ID". Tap on "Medical ID". Tap on "Medical ID".
    Access Medical ID

  2. Add Emergency Contacts

    • Tap on "Edit".
    • Scroll down to "Emergency Contacts" and tap "Add Emergency Contact".
    • Select contacts from your phone book to add as emergency contacts.
    • Add as many emergency contacts as needed.
    Add as many emergency contacts as needed. Add as many emergency contacts as needed. Add as many emergency contacts as needed. Add as many emergency contacts as needed.
    Add Emergency Contacts

  3. Save Changes

    • Tap "Done" in the top right corner.
    Tap "Done" in the top right corner.
    Save Changes
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Tips

  • This method works on most modern iPhones.
  • From the lock screen, someone can swipe up, tap "Emergency", then "Medical ID" to access your emergency contacts and call them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Adding an Incorrect Phone Number

Reason: Typos or using an outdated number can prevent emergency contacts from being reached.
Solution: Double-check the phone number for accuracy before saving it.

2. Not Enabling Emergency SOS

Reason: Even with contacts added, the feature won't function unless Emergency SOS is turned on.
Solution: Navigate to your iPhone's settings and ensure Emergency SOS is enabled.

3. Overlooking Medical ID Information

Reason: While adding emergency contacts is helpful, crucial medical information in Medical ID should also be completed.
Solution: Fill out the Medical ID section with allergies, medications, and other relevant health details.

FAQs

What happens if I remove my emergency contact from my lock screen?
Removing the contact simply removes it from the readily accessible emergency information on your lock screen. It does not delete the contact from your phone's contacts list.
Can I add multiple emergency contacts to my lock screen?
Yes, you can add multiple contacts. iOS allows for several emergency contacts to be displayed on the lock screen, making it easier to reach out to several people in case of emergency.