Text 911 on iPhone or Apple Watch

You can quickly text 911 in the United States using your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Before you begin

Texting 911 requires an iPhone running iOS 13 or later, or an Apple Watch with watchOS 6 or later. Your iPhone must have a mobile connection, and your watch needs either a mobile connection or to be near the iPhone that it's paired with.

You can only text the emergency services in locations where it's supported. In places that don't support texting the emergency services, you may receive a "bounce-back" message indicating that the text hasn't gone through.

How to text 911 on your iPhone

  1. Open the Messages app.

  2. In the To field, type 911.

  3. In the Text Message field, type your emergency.

  4. Tap the send buttonNo alt supplied for Image.

After you've texted 911, your iPhone will enter emergency mode for 30 minutes. To get out of emergency mode, restart your iPhone.

With iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro models, you can text 911 via satellite connection when you're outside mobile and Wi-Fi coverage.

How to text 911 on your Apple Watch

  1. Open the Messages app.

  2. Tap New Message.

  3. Tap Add Contact.

  4. Tap the number pad buttonNo alt supplied for Image, type 911, then tap OK.

  5. Tap Create Message, then tap SMS.

  6. Write a message with your finger, tap the Microphone buttonNo alt supplied for Image to dictate a message or type a message with the keyboard.

  7. Tap Done, then tap Send.

After you've texted 911, your Apple Watch will enter emergency mode for 30 minutes. To get out of emergency mode, restart your Apple Watch.

Learn more

You can use Emergency SOS to quickly and easily call for help and alert your emergency contacts.

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