With the launch of the iPhone 14 and the new Apple Watch models, Apple introduced a new security feature called Accident Detection. Below I explain how the feature works and how to turn it on and off.
Accident detection was developed to detect serious car accidents in passenger cars. If you have a serious accident and are no longer responsive, your Apple device can automatically call the emergency services for you.
How does accident detection work?
While you’re driving or sitting as a passenger in a motor vehicle, the motion sensor works with a high dynamic range gyroscope and accelerometer, GPS, barometer, microphone and advanced motion algorithms in your iPhone or Apple Watch to accurately detect an accident. If a serious accident is detected, an alert will appear on the display of your Apple Watch or iPhone 14 for 10 seconds. If you’re still responsive, you can swipe the screen to immediately call 911 or silence the alarm when you hear it don’t need. If you haven’t responded to your Apple device after 10 seconds, a 10-second countdown will begin. As soon as this ends, the emergency call is contacted. When 911 calls, Siri plays the following audio message on a loop, with five seconds of silence between each repeat:
The owner of this iPhone was in a serious car accident and is unresponsive to his phone.
Siri then relays your estimated location with latitude, longitude, and search radius to both emergency services and through your device’s speaker. The message is at its loudest when it is first played, after which the volume will be reduced if you are able to speak to emergency services. The message will repeat until you tap the Stop Recorded Message button or the call ends. If you have stored emergency contacts, they will also be notified of the accident after another 10-second countdown. If you have stored medical information, a slider will appear on the lock screen for quick access.
What types of accidents can it detect?
According to Apple, the crash detection can recognize frontal, side and rear impacts as well as rollovers.
Which Apple devices support accident detection?
Accident Detection is supported by the following iPhone and Apple Watch models.
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Ultra
How to activate accident detection
No setup is required. Accident detection is enabled by default on the above devices, so you don’t need to do anything else. If you’re worried about the feature falsely registering an accident and calling emergency services, you can turn it off by following the steps below.
How to disable crash detection
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Emergency SOS.
- Under “Accident Detection,” turn off the switch next to “Call after a serious accident.”
If you want to turn the feature back on, turn the switch back on in Settings. Of course, I hope that none of you will ever need the feature. Are you looking for new accessories? Then have a look in our Amazon storefront stop by – there you will find numerous products from leading suppliers, also for HomeKit and Co.! (Image: Apple)
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