So today I got an alert from my phone while at work. I had my phone set for some emergency alerts to bypass my Do Not Disturb. It was a crash detection alert from my older brothers phone, this concerned me, but I considered it might be a false alarm because there was no other notifications or anything and I didn’t do anything since I was in the middle of work. Moments later, I get the same alert from my younger brothers phone, and I knew something was up since I knew they were probably driving together. Turns out, they had rolled their truck 3 times from the left lane of the freeway, off the right side of the road. They are okay, but I am grateful for this iPhone feature as it got the emergency services there incredibly fast and my parents were also alerted and on the scene in no time.

Thought I’d share this story because if you’re looking at that feature and setting on your phone wondering “does this even work?” Or “do I really want to notify everyone if I crash” Turn it on. Also make it so you can get that notification when you need to.

My family has used out iPhones and Find My to stay connected and keep each other safe. Once when I was studying abroad I had to take a cab from the airport to the school, and the taxi driver was sketchy. I’m in another country and don’t know anyone, so what do I do? Have my dad watch my location in real time from the other side of the world. He’s also helped me with finding my way around with the same method.

Is there a function you use more often than you thought you would need to on your iPhone? Or maybe a time that it’s helped in an emergency?

  • BODLFED66@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    100%. Literally got two texts from my dads phone today saying emergency services contacted and iPhone detected a crash. It was true. Totaled out his truck. It continues to work as it constantly updated me to his location after being taken to the hospital. Will turn mine on.

  • benzguy95@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I found out the hard way earlier this year about Crash Detection on my iPhone 14 Pro.

    I was heading home from a night out and on the way home a good sized tree had fallen across the 2 lane country road I was traveling down, I didn’t see it in time and ended up hitting it, when I hit it, it basically acted as a ramp for my SUV so once it cleared said tree and landed on the other side I was greeted with the “crash has been detected” notification on my phone and it immediately called 911

  • healthcrusade@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Only on iPhone 14 or later. Crash Detection is on by default. You can see if you have/manage crash detection by going to Settings: Emergency SOS

    • TrekkieMary@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      Thank you for saying where that feature is. Helped me to find it. And yes, it was on … probably by default since I don’t remember ever setting it up

  • MagnumBlood@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I’m someone that works in emergency response, Apple doesn’t allow third party cell phone pings through towers. Always have your emergency stuff active so dispatchers can get your info in the event you’re not able to call.

  • m2mclubrocks@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    So glad they’re ok!! Yeah, Android users regularly try to clown / shame me for paying $1,000+ for my phone, when, according to them, Android can do just as much as an iPhone can. Uh, no it can’t, and this crash detection feature is something that Android doesn’t have yet, as far as I know.

    • MC-CREC@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      LOL, I can name over 1000 things an android can do that an iPhone can’t, and why do I need to pay more for a feature, that just uses the phones regular sensors? BTW android has had it since 2020.

      I can name 5 that the iphone can do, or better said iOS.

      Keep the phone if you like I don’t care but, it’s like comparing a Lamborghini to a working truck loaded with tools when it comes to usefulness and practicality.

      • TBoneTheOriginal@alien.topB
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        10 months ago

        I can name over 1000 things an android can do that an iPhone can’t

        No you can’t. And you won’t because 1000 is a stupidly exaggerated number.

  • Quin1617@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    The safety features along with how the ecosystem is integrated between mine and family devices is one of the main reasons I’ll never switch back.

  • FiCJordan@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    yeah my wife wrecked our neighbors car last week, i got alerted and drove right there

  • _withoutacause@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    Got rear ended by a garbage truck this past summer, totaled my car and phone went flying on impact. Passengers were knocked out cold. My watch automatically called 911 and i was able to get help.

    Its a feature you hope you never have to use but sure as hell glad its there when you need it.

  • lolcatandy@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    What happens if you just yeet your phone out of the window? Either accidentally or on purpose. Would the emergency services be dispatched to the phones location?

    • Tilas@alien.topB
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      10 months ago

      Actually, yes! My brother found an iPhone outside of a road while doing his work rounds, and it was active with 911 on the phone! It had activated crash detection and made a call, but no one was around! He picked it up to hear dispatch asking if anyone was there, so he answered, saying he just found this random phone on the ground. The dispatch insisted on sending an officer to the location, and asked if he’d be so kind as to wait, so he did.

      A few minutes later a patrol car rolled up, and the officers took a look around. No one was around, no sign of an accident. Bro answered a few questions about how/where he found the phone, handed it over, they thanked him for staying, and then he was allowed to go.

      So yeah, they’ll go looking for the phone even if it goes off on its own. They said they were about to send rescue to the phones coordinates before he answered.

  • blue_abyss_@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I’ve had to use my medical ID multiple times for hospital visits where I couldn’t communicate well.