iPhone’s SOS feature saves family trapped in Hawaii wildfires | Tech News
Apple’s satellite SOS feature has once again proved itself useful, helping save a family trapped in the Hawaii wildfires.
According to a user on X (formerly Twitter), five people trapped in their car in Maui were able to use Emergency SOS via satellite to call emergency services.
In the post, Michael J. Miraflor said that his brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them.
‘No cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders. Literally saved their lives,’ said Miraflor.
The post suggests that the family has since been saved thanks to the messages.
According to a screenshot of the exchange between the family member and first responders, it took about 35 minutes from when they used the feature to contact emergency responders to when they were rescued.
The dispatcher was able to get their location from the iPhone, instruct them to put on their hazard lights, and relay information to the fire department.
Previously, the iPhone’s emergency SOS via satellite feature saved a stranded man in Alaska after a snowmachine accident.
Apple introduced the Emergency SOS via satellite feature on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models last year.
It allows users to contact emergency services using satellite connectivity even when no cellular or WiFi connection is available. It’s designed to ask several questions ahead of when an alert is sent out to expedite rescue missions.
Last November, Apple rolled out the feature on all models of the iPhone 14, for customers in the US and Canada.
With the update, users can also reassure friends and family of their whereabouts while travelling off the grid, by using the ‘Find My’ app and sharing their location via satellite.
While the feature is free to use for two years, Apple has not yet provided details about how much it will cost going forward.
Emergency SOS via satellite is currently available in the US and Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK.
How to use Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature?
You will need an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.4 or later to use this feature.
You also need to be in an area with no cellular or WiFi coverage. When you activate Emergency SOS via satellite, your iPhone will connect to Globalstar satellites and send a text message to emergency services.
The message will include your location and a brief description of your emergency.
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