Phone and Tablet Tips

Add life-saving info to your phone

Both Android and IOS devices have a little-known section called ICE (In Case of Emergency). As its name suggests, this lets you store information that could be crucial should you suddenly fall ill or suffer an accident – such as your blood group, allergies, any medications you’re taking and the emergency contact of a close family member, relative or friend. Someone can then relay this information to paramedics or get in touch with your emergency contact without having to unlock your phone.

To set this up on an iphone, open the Health app, tap Medical ID, then Edit. Enter your emergency contact details and fill in the required fields, including date of birth, allergies, medical conditions and blood type. Turn on the Show When Locked slider if you want to make this information available on your Lock screen, then tap Done.

On Android, the method to add this information can differ slightly depending on which device you use. First, ensure your phone’s screen is off. Now tap the wake button on your device, then swipe up from the bottom to go to your passcode screen. You’ll see an Emergency/emergency Call button. Tap this, then tap ‘Emergency information’. You now need to unlock your device to enter this information. Enter your details, which include your full name, address, blood type and known allergies. To add an emergency contact, tap ‘Add contact’ (see screenshot left), then select the person from your contacts list.

Anyone who can get hold of your phone can now access these details without unlocking it. When they switch on your iphone’s screen, they’ll see the emergency call button at the top and the Medical ID button at the bottom.

Similarly, on Android, when they tap Emergency Call, they’ll see the option to call the contact you assigned. Tapping ‘Emergency information’ shows them your medical information.