How to Silently Call Emergency Services on iPhone or Apple Watch

iPhone 7 and Earlier

Make sure the siren is turned off. Go to "Settings" > "Emergency SOS" and make sure "Play countdown sound" is toggled off.

Press the power button rapidly five times.

Slide the SOS slider or wait for the counter to reach zero.

Turn the phone volume down. You do not want anyone suspicious to know that emergency services have arrived. Your location will continuously be sent to emergency services until you hang up or until the call is disconnected.

Make the call suspicious. Make sure that speakerphone is enabled. You will not hear anything, but emergency services will hear the situation and send the police.

Use the number pad. If you have to remain silent, you can use the number pad to alert emergency services whether you need the police, fire department, or ambulance. Check with your local city or county the extension codes for police, fire and ambulance.

Hang up. Emergency contacts will be notified of the emergency, and your location will continue to be sent to contacts until you cancel.

iPhone 8 and Later

Make sure the siren is turned off. Go to "Settings" > "Emergency SOS" and make sure "Play countdown sound" is toggled off.

Hold the power button and one of the volume buttons at the same time.

Slide the SOS slider or wait for the counter to reach zero.

Turn the phone volume down. You do not want anyone suspicious to know that emergency services have arrived. Your location will continuously be sent to emergency services until you hang up or until the call is disconnected.

Make the call suspicious. Make sure that speakerphone is enabled. You will not hear anything, but emergency services will hear the situation and send the police.

Use the number pad. If you have to remain silent, you can use the number pad to alert emergency services whether you need the police, fire department, or ambulance. Check with your local city or county the extension codes for police, fire and ambulance.

Hang up. Emergency contacts will be notified of the emergency, and your location will continue to be sent to contacts until you cancel.

Apple Watch

Hold the power button of the Apple Watch.

Slide the SOS slider. Silent calling does not work on Apple Watch.

Turn the volume down. You do not want anyone suspicious to know that emergency services have arrived. Your location will continuously be sent to emergency services until you hang up or until the call is disconnected.

Make the call suspicious. You will not hear anything, but emergency services will hear the situation and send the police.

Use the number pad. If you have to remain silent, you can use the number pad to alert emergency services whether you need the police, fire department, or ambulance. Check with your local city or county the extension codes for police, fire and ambulance.

Hang up. Emergency contacts will be notified of the emergency, and your location will continue to be sent to contacts until you cancel.