Add an emergency contact through the Health app

The fastest way to add an emergency contact on iPhone is through the Health app, which stores the information where first responders can find it even if your phone is locked. Open the Health app, tap the profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Medical ID." Tap "Edit" and scroll down to "Emergency Contacts." Tap the plus sign to add a contact, then choose a person from your contacts list and select their relationship to you (mother, father, friend, spouse, and others are available).

You can add multiple emergency contacts this way — there is no limit. The order matters: the first contact listed will be called first if someone uses your Medical ID. Drag the three horizontal lines next to each contact to reorder them if needed. When you are done, tap "Done" at the top right to save your changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Emergency contacts stored in the Health app's Medical ID are visible on the lock screen without unlocking your phone, making them accessible to first responders.
  • You can add multiple emergency contacts and arrange them in the order you want them called.
  • The relationship field (mother, friend, spouse, etc.) helps first responders understand who they are calling.
  • You must have existing contacts in your iPhone's Contacts app before you can add them as emergency contacts in Health.

Make sure your Medical ID is visible from the lock screen

Adding an emergency contact does not automatically make it visible on your lock screen. You need to turn on the "Show When Locked" toggle so first responders can see your Medical ID without entering your passcode. In the Health app, go to Medical ID, tap "Edit," and look for the toggle at the top that says "Show When Locked." Turn it on, then tap "Done."

When this is enabled, anyone who picks up your locked iPhone can swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe left on the lock screen, depending on your iPhone model) and tap "Medical ID" to see your emergency contacts and any medical information you have added. This is intentional — the feature is designed to be accessible in emergencies.

Add a contact to your phone before listing them as an emergency contact

You cannot add someone as an emergency contact unless they are already saved in your iPhone's Contacts app. If you want to add someone who is not yet in your contacts, open the Contacts app, tap the plus sign, and create a new contact with their name and phone number. Once they are saved, you can go back to Health and add them as an emergency contact.

If you try to add an emergency contact and the person does not appear in your contacts list, this is why. Create them in Contacts first, then return to the Health app to complete the process.

Use Siri to call your emergency contacts

You can tell Siri to call your emergency contacts by saying "Hey Siri, call my emergency contact" or "Hey Siri, call my mom" (if your mother is listed as an emergency contact). This works even when your phone is locked, which can be useful if you are in a situation where you need help quickly and cannot unlock your phone.

Siri will call the contact you name, or if you do not specify which one, it will call your first emergency contact — the one at the top of your Medical ID list. This is another reason ordering your emergency contacts matters.

Emergency contacts in the Contacts app are different from Medical ID contacts

Your iPhone's Contacts app also has an "emergency contacts" feature, which is separate from the Medical ID emergency contacts. In Contacts, you can mark someone as an emergency contact by opening their contact card, tapping "Edit," scrolling down, and toggling on "Mark as Emergency Contact." This does not make them visible on your lock screen — it only marks them in the Contacts app itself.

For first responders to see your emergency contacts without unlocking your phone, use the Medical ID method in the Health app instead. The Contacts app method is useful for your own reference, but it does not serve the same purpose.

What to include in your Medical ID for first responders

Beyond emergency contacts, your Medical ID can hold other information that first responders might need: allergies, medications you take, blood type, organ donor status, and any medical conditions. Fill in the fields that are relevant to you. If you have a severe allergy or take blood thinners, for example, this information could be critical in an emergency.

Keep this information current. If your medications change, update your Medical ID. If you have a new allergy, add it. First responders rely on this information being accurate, so review it every few months to make sure nothing has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can first responders see my emergency contacts if my phone is locked?

Yes, but only if you have turned on "Show When Locked" in your Medical ID settings. When this is enabled, anyone can swipe up from the lock screen and tap "Medical ID" to see your emergency contacts and medical information without entering your passcode. This is by design.

What happens if I do not have the Health app on my iPhone?

The Health app comes pre-installed on all iPhones running iOS 8 or later. If you have deleted it, you can reinstall it from the App Store by searching for "Health" and tapping the cloud icon to download it again. Once installed, you can set up your Medical ID and emergency contacts.

Can I add someone as an emergency contact if they are not in my Contacts app?

No. You must create a contact for them first in the Contacts app with their name and phone number. Once they are saved, you can add them as an emergency contact in the Health app's Medical ID section.

Will my emergency contacts be called automatically in an emergency?

No. Emergency contacts are stored for first responders to find and call manually. Your iPhone does not automatically dial them. You or someone else must actively call them or ask a first responder to do so.

Can I change the order of my emergency contacts?

Yes. In the Health app, open Medical ID, tap "Edit," and use the three horizontal lines next to each contact to drag them into the order you want. The contact at the top will be called first if a first responder needs to contact someone.