iOS 18 adds live video support to the emergency SOS feature on iPhone
Apple announced many new features for iOS 18 at its WWDC 2024 event, but there wasn’t time to discuss everything β and additional upgrades are still being revealed, including live video support for SOS emergency calling.
As detailed in Apple’s press release for iOS 18, the new functionality will allow you to “share context through streaming video and recorded media.” It means that emergency responders have a better idea of ββwhat is happening and can provide assistance accordingly.
You can make an emergency call on an iPhone by pressing and holding the power button (or side button) and either volume button at the same time: a countdown will appear on the screen and if you continue to press and hold, the call will be made.
So far we haven’t seen the new video feature demonstrated – iOS 18 is currently only available in developer beta – but presumably options will appear on the screen during the call to start livestreaming or send recorded video.
A major upgrade
We can add live video support for SOS emergency calls to the long list of new features coming in iOS 18. Some of the features we’re most looking forward to are the ability to store apps and customize the look of the home. screens.
The iOS 18 upgrade may also mean you can do away with your password manager and your current audio transcription service. Several features currently supported by third-party apps will soon be integrated into Apple’s own software.
Then of course we have all the Apple Intelligence tools that iOS 18 brings, including a major upgrade to Siri that should make it much smarter – but keep in mind that Apple Intelligence will only be available on two iPhone models to start with.
Next month, iOS 18 will enter public beta, so more of us will be able to try it out, and then it should roll out to everyone in September – more or less at the same time as the iPhone 16 handsets. revealed.