Apple rolls out emergency SOS feature for iPhone 14

Users can call for help when off the grid, and also share their location when not in a critical situation

Available in a 6.1-inch display and a new, larger 6.7-inch size, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature impressive camera upgrades and groundbreaking new safety capabilities. Photo: Apple

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will be available in five colours: midnight, blue, starlight, purple, and (PRODUCT)RED. Photo: Apple

Apple chief executive Tim Cook speaks at an Apple event on the campus of Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. AP

Apple Watch Ultra features a new, customisable action button in high-contrast international orange that gives users quick physical control over a range of functions. Photo: Apple

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus offer industry-leading durability and amazing battery life, including the best battery life ever in an iPhone with iPhone 14 Plus. Photo: Apple

Mr Cook arrives to speak at an Apple event in Cupertino. AP

Visitors arrive at the Steve Jobs Theatre before the Far Out Apple event. Bloomberg

Visitors arrive at Steve Jobs Theatre on the Apple campus. Bloomberg

Members of the media await the arrival of Mr Cook in Cupertino. EPA

Mr Cook presents the new iPhone 14 at the event. Reuters

The new extra-small ear tip on the Apple AirPods Pro delivers a better fit to more customers. Photo: Apple

The new AirPods Pro bring major upgrades to Transparency mode, Spatial Audio and convenience features while cancelling up to twice as much noise. Photo: Apple

You can personalise the charging case with Memoji, Animoji and a curated list of stickers. Photo: Apple

The new AirPods Pro. Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra, the most rugged and capable Apple Watch. Photo: Apple

Three new bands — Trail Loop, Alpine Loop and Ocean Band — offer unique design features that provide a secure and comfortable fit. Photo: Apple

The reimagined Lock Screen in iOS 16 offers a multilayered effect that sets subjects of photos in front of the time, along with newly designed widgets. Photo: Apple

The Ultra Wide camera offers a new perspective for photos and video, and receives benefits from Photonic Engine — an enhanced image pipeline. Photo: Apple

Crash Detection uses specialised components paired with Apple-designed algorithms to detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services when a user is unconscious or unable to reach their iPhone. Photo: Apple

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus contain a new 12MP Main camera, a new front TrueDepth camera and the Ultra Wide camera. Photo: Apple

The iPhone 14 line-up includes Emergency SOS via satellite, enabling the user to contact emergency services when outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. Photo: Apple

Apple has launched its new SOS via satellite feature for iPhone 14 models.

The feature was announced during the launch of the iPhone 14 in September and enables users to message the emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

It will initially be available to customers in the US and Canada and will be extended to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December.

“Some of the most popular places to travel are off the beaten path and simply lack cellular coverage. With Emergency SOS via satellite, the iPhone 14 line-up provides an indispensable tool that can get users the help they need while they are off the grid,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“Our teams worked tirelessly to tackle a new set of technical challenges to bring this service to life, in addition to building a reliable on-the-ground infrastructure. Emergency SOS via satellite is a breakthrough service available only on the iPhone 14 line-up, and a new innovation that we hope will provide our customers some peace of mind.”

The iPhone 14 connects directly to a satellite through a combination of custom-designed components and deeply integrated software.

Users will be connected directly to emergency services that are equipped to receive text messages, or to relay centres with Apple-trained emergency specialists who are ready to contact Public Safety Answering Points that cannot receive text messages on the user’s behalf.

A text compression algorithm was developed to reduce the average size of messages by 300 per cent, making the experience as fast as possible, Apple said.

With Emergency SOS via satellite, users can send and receive messages in 15 seconds in clear conditions.

Using the built-in Emergency SOS via satellite demo, users can test satellite connectivity on their iPhone by connecting to a real satellite in range without calling the emergency services, allowing them to experience the process and familiarise themselves with the service.

For users who go off the grid but do not experience an emergency, the new technology enables them to share their location via satellite with Find My.

In the Find My app, users can open the Me tab, swipe up to see My Location via Satellite, and press Send My Location. The satellite connection on the iPhone 14 line-up also works with other safety features available on iPhone and Apple Watch, including Crash Detection and Fall Detection.

The crash-detection feature allows a device to automatically dial the emergency services when a user is unconscious or unable to reach their device.