This hidden iPhone feature ‘literally saved lives’ in deadly Maui fires

It’s an iOS feature that may save your life.

In a natural disaster, there’s a high chance of losing service and Wi-Fi, making it impossible to contact loved ones or contact emergency services.

However, a little-known feature called Apple Emergency SOS on the iPhone could be a literal lifesaver.

Michael Miraflor recently shared a story on X, formerly known as Twitter, following the devastating Maui wildfires in which he shared a real-life example of how invaluable the feature can be.

“My brother’s girlfriend’s cousin and his family were caught in their vehicle in Maui while the wildfires suddenly erupted around them,” Miraflor explained in the tweet, which has topped 8.7 million views since it was posted on Aug. 9.

“No cell service, so Apple Emergency SOS was the only way they could get in contact with first responders,” he continued. “Literally saved their lives.”

The feature sends messages to emergency responders using a satellite, even if you don’t have a cellular service.

Miraflor shared a screenshot of the Emergency SOS texts between the fire department and dispatchers, which pinpointed the family’s location and sent it to the dispatcher.

That enabled them to communicate the conditions surrounding them.

In a comment, Milafor said the family was safely evacuated within 30 minutes because of the Emergency SOS satellite feature.

The family was found at the Outlets of Maui, a shopping mall in Lahaina near the fires, according to the Economic Times.

The Apple feature was first released in November 2022. According to Apple’s website, when a user makes a call with SOS, the iPhone automatically calls the local emergency number and shares your location information with emergency services.

You can also add emergency contacts, which willbe alerted with a text message after the call ends. The iPhone 14 also has a feature that allows texts between Emergency SOS to emergency services via satellite when there is no cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

In May, the emergency feature helped save two hikers who got lost in the Apennine Mountains in an area without a cellphone signal, AppleInsider reported.

They used an iPhone 14 to call for help via a satellite text message and were rescued by the local fire department.

How to make an emergency call:

Make the call on iPhone 8 or later: 

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
2. Drag the Emergency Call slider to call emergency services. If you continue to hold down the side button and volume button, instead of dragging the slider, a countdown begins and an alert sounds. If you release the buttons after the countdown, your iPhone automatically calls emergency services.

Make the call on iPhone 7 or earlier:

1. Rapidly press the side (or top) button five times. The Emergency Call slider will appear.
2. Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services