How iPhone Crash Detection Works and How to Set It Up
iPhone 14 and later can detect a car crash and automatically call 911 if you are unresponsive. Here's what it does, how to confirm it's on, and how to avoid false alerts.
Check If Your iPhone Supports Crash Detection
~16sVerify Crash Detection Is Enabled
~15sSet Up Emergency Contacts
~21sQuick Tip
Add a family member or close friend as your emergency contact — someone who would want to know immediately if you were in a crash.
Know What to Expect After a Crash
~30sQuick Tip
If you are fine and a false alarm occurs, tap "I'm OK" quickly. If you accidentally trigger the call to 911, stay on the line and explain it was a false alarm — dispatchers are accustomed to this.
Review Medical ID Information
~21sWarning
Crash Detection is designed for severe crashes, not minor fender benders. It activates when the sensor readings indicate a potentially life-threatening impact. Minor accidents may not trigger it.
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Crash Detection is a safety feature available on iPhone 14 and later (all models). If your iPhone detects that you have been in a severe vehicle crash, it sounds an alarm, displays an emergency SOS screen on your phone, and — if you do not respond within 10 seconds — automatically calls 911 and shares your GPS location with emergency services. It also sends your location to your emergency contacts.
Crash Detection uses a combination of sensors: the barometer, microphone, GPS, and the accelerometer (which measures sudden changes in speed and direction). The system is specifically trained to recognize the motion and sound patterns of a car crash — not ordinary bumps or hard braking.
For most users, Crash Detection works in the background automatically — no setup required beyond having an iPhone 14 or later with Emergency SOS and Medical ID configured. However, confirming your Medical ID and emergency contacts are accurate is important, since that information is shared with 911 when Crash Detection activates.
False positives do occasionally occur: Crash Detection has activated for some people during intense roller coaster rides or skiing trips — the motion pattern resembles a crash. If an alert appears and you are fine, tap "I'm OK" within 10 seconds to cancel the call.
Note that Crash Detection works even if your iPhone is in low-power mode or in a pocket or bag — you do not need to be actively using the phone. It runs passively in the background at all times on supported models.
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