About SOS on Apple Watch

When you make a call with SOS, your Apple Watch automatically calls the local emergency number. In some countries, you might need to choose the service that you need. For example, in China you can choose police, fire, or ambulance. 

You can also add up to three SOS contacts. After an emergency call ends, your Apple Watch alerts your SOS contacts with a text message, unless you choose to cancel. Your Apple Watch sends them your current location, and, for a period of time after you enter SOS mode, it will send your SOS contacts updates when your location changes. 

Make sure that you can use SOS

To use SOS, your iPhone needs to be nearby. If your iPhone isn't nearby, your Apple Watch needs to be connected to a known Wi-Fi network and you must set up Wi-Fi Calling. 

Call emergency services with SOS

Here's how to make a call: 

1. Press and hold the side button on your watch until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
2. Continue to hold down the side button. Wait for a countdown to begin and an alert to sound. You can also drag the Emergency SOS slider.
3. When the countdown ends, your watch automatically calls emergency services. 

After the call ends, your Apple Watch sends your SOS contacts a text message with your current location, unless you choose to cancel. If Location Services is off, it will temporarily turn on.

If your location changes, your contacts will get an update, and you'll get a notification about 10 minutes later. To stop the updates, select Stop Sharing in the notification. If you keep sharing, you'll get a reminder to stop every 4 hours for 24 hours.

End a call

If you started an emergency call by accident, firmly press the display, then tap End Call. 

Add or remove contacts

You can add SOS contacts from your iPhone:

1. Open the Apple Watch app and tap the My Watch tab. 
2. Tap General > Emergency SOS  > Add SOS Contact.
3. Tap a contact. You can add up to 3 SOS contacts.

To remove SOS contacts:

1. Open the Apple Watch app and tap the My Watch tab. 
2. Tap General > Emergency SOS  > Add SOS Contact.
3. Tap Edit, then tap  next to their name.
4. Tap Delete, then tap Remove from SOS. 

You can't set emergency services as an SOS contact. 

Turn off Hold to Auto Call

You can change the setting so that holding the side button won't call emergency services automatically: 

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap the My Watch tab.
2. Tap General > Emergency SOS.
3. Turn off Hold to Auto Call. 

If you turn off this setting, you can still use the Emergency SOS slider to make a call.