Published on November 15, 2023, 12:19 pm
Image source: Fox News
Apple is extending its free iPhone Emergency SOS service, which offers two additional years of coverage to all iPhone users. This service has been praised for its life-saving capabilities, as demonstrated by a driver who used it when he and his friend were stranded in a remote area with no cell reception. The driver activated the Emergency SOS feature, which connected his phone to a satellite and allowed him to contact emergency services. Although they had to wait for help to arrive, the initial call took less than ten minutes. Apple launched this feature with the iPhone 14 in 2022 and is now extending it for an extra year for iPhone 14 owners.
Apple Extends Free Emergency SOS Service for iPhone Users
Apple has announced that it is extending its free iPhone Emergency SOS service, offering two additional years of coverage to all iPhone users. This service has proven to be a life-saving feature for some, including one driver who recently shared his experience with People magazine.
Ryo Lu, from San Francisco, and a friend were driving in Banff when they encountered an unexpected snowfall. Their rental Jeep lost control and flipped over on a snowbank beside the road, leaving them stranded. Fortunately, another driver passing by offered them refuge in their own car.
However, none of them had cell reception in the area, prompting Ryo Lu to remember Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature. He pointed his iPhone towards the sky and activated the feature, which gathers key information for emergency responders using diagrams and clear instructions. The phone indicated when it was connected to a satellite and allowed him to answer questions and contact emergency services.
While they still had to wait for two hours before help arrived, Ryo Lu mentioned that the initial call took less than ten minutes from picking up his iPhone to being informed that a tow truck was dispatched. He considers Emergency SOS via Satellite as “the quickest way to get help when you don’t have a connection.”
The driver acknowledges how fortunate he was despite the ordeal. Had they driven a little further ahead, there was a possibility of driving off a cliff. This incident served as a reminder of how important this feature is and how grateful he is for its existence.
Apple initially launched Emergency SOS via Satellite with the iPhone 14 in 2022 and has now extended it for an extra year specifically for iPhone 14 owners. This feature will also be available on the upcoming iPhone 15.
Apple continues to prioritize user safety by providing helpful features like Emergency SOS via Satellite. With this extension of free coverage, users can feel confident knowing that assistance is just a tap away, even in remote areas without cell service.
Original article posted by Fox News
