Modern smartphones include built-in emergency tools that can automatically contact services, warn of natural disasters, and even connect via satellite when out of network range. Start by exploring your device's settings to enable Emergency SOS, Medical ID, and location sharing features. iPhone users can find these under Settings > Emergency SOS, while Android devices offer a Safety & Emergency menu. Weather apps provide storm and flood alerts, but government Wireless Emergency Alerts are available system-wide—Android users check Safety & Emergency > Wireless Emergency Alerts, while iPhone users go to Notifications > Government Alerts.

Earthquake warnings are included on both platforms, with Google partnering with the U.S. Geological Survey for Shake Alert in California, Oregon, and Washington. Both iOS and Android use accelerometer data to detect seismic activity. Car crash detection uses motion sensors to automatically call 911 if you're incapacitated—available on iPhone 14+ with iOS 16+ and select Android devices like Google Pixel.

Emergency SOS can be activated by pressing the power button five times or holding the side button. When outside network coverage, satellite SOS services can send messages via a clear sky view.