iPhone: SOS emergency notification via satellite now also in the Netherlands

SOS emergency notification via satellite is a new feature of the iPhone 14 series, which allows you to call the emergency services if you have no mobile coverage. This function is now available for the first time in the Netherlands.

SOS emergency notification on iPhone: now also in the Netherlands

Apple Emergency SOS is only available on iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 14 Plus. Since its introduction, the feature has unfortunately not been available in the Netherlands. But with the release of iOS 16.4, that has changed.

This is good news because the feature is here to save your life. If you ever have (or see) an accident, it’s pretty annoying when your iPhone is out of range. With SOS emergency notification via satellite, you can still call in the emergency services via a special type of text message. We hope you never really need the feature, but of course it’s good to know how the feature works.

Available since iOS 16.4

With iOS 16.4, SOS emergency notification via satellite is also available in the Netherlands on your iPhone. If your iPhone is out of range and you still want to call, your iPhone will tell you to use ’emergency SMS via satellite’ after a few seconds.

Then press the green button with the speech bubble and the SOS logo. You then indicate with choice options what the emergency is, for example ‘Crime’, ‘Fire’, ‘Nausea or injury’. Then fill in who needs help and what the breathing is like. You then have to choose the option that best describes the emergency.

Good to know: you can also immediately send a notification to your SOS contact person. It does not matter whether that person has an iPhone or Android device. After that, you need to point the iPhone at a satellite. When the icon turns green, you’re good. Sending takes a bit longer than you are used to from a regular message.

When the message has been sent, you will see what exactly has been sent. These are the answers to your question, your medical ID and current location. The answers from the emergency center appear below.

The emergency center therefore asks to describe the location of the emergency. Your answers should be as short as possible. Finally, you will be asked if you have your medicines with you and you will be notified that the emergency services will be contacted.

Feature also coming to Crash Detection

The feature also works with Crash Detection. When your iPhone has no connection after a crash, it tries to send the help message via satellite. But if you’re not conscious, you obviously can’t point your phone at the satellite yourself…

The iPhone will then try to send the message itself. The satellites revolve around the earth, so your iPhone will automatically catch the satellite. But it may take a bit longer.

… and to Find My

Also nice: the feature is coming to the ‘Find My’ app. Handy if you want to share your location with friends or family. This is now also possible without your iPhone being connected.

First two years free, but after that?

The SOS emergency notification function is free for the first two years in the Netherlands. These two years start when you activate your new iPhone. How much it will cost after that, Apple could not tell us yet.

Try out SOS emergency notification yourself

Do you even want to give the feature a try? You can do this via ‘Settings>SOS emergency notification’. Then tap on ‘Try Demo’. You can then easily test the function. Always useful to know how the satellite function works, even though it will not often happen that your iPhone has no service in the Netherlands.

Buy iPhone 14

Do you also want an iPhone with the SOS emergency notification function via satellite? Then you have to be with the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 Pro then has all the new features and the best camera. If you want to save a little more, you can opt for the iPhone 14.

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