Apple introduces life-saving feature to iPhones in Australia for when you need help

iPhone users in Australia will get access to an incredible slice of technology from today (May 15).

Australia is a pretty big country and there are loads of places where there is no cellphone reception.

This can be a nightmare for people who find themselves in an emergency situation as they can't call 000 and have first responders descend on their location.

However, Apple has launched an SOS Emergency Satellite system on iPhone 14s that will do away with this problem.

If you've found yourself in an environment where you need emergency services, your phone will try as hard as possible to find a signal.

When this fails, it will now link up to a satellite that is hovering above you at any given time.

LADbible

You'll be presented with a bunch of options that will help direct your situation to the appropriate emergency service.

A user can say they are lost or trapped, experiencing a fire, witnessing or being involved in a crime, suffering from sickness or injury, or in a car or vehicle incident.

You'll then be directed to an Apple-trained emergency specialist, who will try and get as much information from you as possible.

As you're connecting to the system, you can also alert your emergency contacts so they know what is happening.

The incredible technology will be available for people with an iPhone 14.

They will now be able to connect directly to satellite through 'a combination of custom-designed hardware components and deeply integrated software'.

Apple said in a statement: "Since launching last year, Emergency SOS via satellite has already helped save lives in the 12 countries it is available."

Two people were rescued after plunging into a canyon in California and a man was picked up by emergency services in Alaska after he used the feature.

This will be genuinely life-saving for those who are in Australia's vast landscape that isn't covered by cell reception.

You'll also now be able to send your location to loved ones with the Find My app when you don't have reception.

Australia and New Zealand now joins Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, the UK, and the US where Emergency SOS via satellite and Find My via satellite are currently available.

To access this, all you have to do is update your operating system to iOS 16.4 or later.

Australia's Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, said in a statement: "The Albanese government welcomes the launch of this innovative safety capability.

"Australians know full well the importance of remaining connected in regional, rural, and remote areas, particularly when they need emergency services.

"The ability to contact Triple Zero with Emergency SOS via satellite when there is no mobile coverage is a strong backup to keep Australians connected in an emergency.

"This will go a long way in helping emergency services respond to, protect, and ultimately, keep individuals safe from harm. Australians are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this feature and whether their device supports it.”

Topics: Australia, Apple, iPhone, Technology

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Senior Journalist at LADbible. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign. He is in charge of the LADbible Australia editorial content and social presence.

@stewartperrie