Dial 911 Fast: Shortcuts for Phones, Watches

Life-saving tips for phones & watches

In an emergency, every second counts. Knowing how to quickly use your smart devices to call for help can make a crucial difference. Here's a guide on how to use emergency features on popular smartphones and smartwatches.

Smartphones:

1. iPhone:

- Press and hold the side button and either volume button for a few seconds.

- Alternatively, press the side button 5 times quickly.

2. Samsung Phones:

- Press the side button 5 times.

- By default, you'll need to swipe up to confirm dialing 911, but you can make it immediate in the settings.

3. Google Pixel:

- Press the side button 5 times.

- Then, touch and hold the screen for 3 seconds.

- You can also set it to dial immediately in the settings.

Smartwatches:

1. Apple Watch:

- Press and hold the side button (the flat one, not the round Digital Crown).

2. Google Pixel Watch:

- Press the round crown button 5 times fast.

- After a brief countdown and alarm, it will dial.

3. Samsung Watch:

- Press the home key (upper key on the side of the watch) 5 times fast.

Note: Fitbit devices currently don't have a quick way to call for help.

Using Voice Assistants:

- You can ask Siri or Google Assistant to call 911.

- While Alexa can't directly dial 911, Amazon offers a subscription service called Alexa Emergency Assist that connects you to a trained agent for help.

Pro Tips:

1. Familiarize yourself with these emergency features before you need them.

2. Be careful not to call 911 accidentally if you're testing these features.

3. Visit your phone's Emergency SOS settings to set up emergency contacts who will be notified when you call 911.

Remember, these shortcuts can be lifesavers in critical situations. Take a moment to learn and set up the emergency features on your devices today – it could make all the difference when you need help fast.