Apple’s SOS Live Video gets more support from 911 operators ahead of iOS 18 launch

If you need to call 911 in a few months, you may get the option to enable live video, a bit like a FaceTime video call. That’s because emergency response platforms RapidSOS and Prepared said they were integrating support for video calling and photo sharing following the announcement of the features in Apple’s iOS 18 last month.

“During a call, participating emergency services will send you a request to share live video or photos over a secure connection, making it easier and faster to get the help you need,” RapidSOS said in a blog post announcing the updates, which the company says will be offered free of charge to existing emergency services customers.

Prepared similarly said its technology will allow dispatchers to share data with police, fire or emergency services to help them prepare on the way.

RapidSOS said that 99% of the US population will be reached by these updates, which is important because the National Emergency Number Association found that in many areas, At least 80% of 911 calls come from mobile devices.

Apple’s expanding partnerships for its emergency services follow steps it has taken in recent years to emphasize features that give customers peace of mind. In addition to live video and media sharing via mobile 911 calls, Apple has also added satellite emergency communications, allowing people to send free text messages and location information to emergency responders with the 2022 iPhone 14 and later. And that’s all in addition to features like car crash detection coming to iPhone and Apple Watch, which also has fall detection and abnormal heart rate monitoring built in.

Other tech companies have offered similar features. Google’s Pixel phones have supported crash detection for years, and Samsung’s Galaxy Watches also offer fall detection and heart rate monitoring. Meanwhile, Apple continues to add more safety technologies.

With the free iOS 16 software update for iPhones in 2022, Apple added Safety Check, intended to help victims of domestic violence more easily escape violent situations. That same year, the company also added Lockdown Mode, intended to limit the iPhone’s communication features to protect the owner from a potential hacking attack.

When Apple announced its new SOS emergency video feature last month As part of the free iOS 18 software upgrade coming this fall, the company said it aims to “make it easier and faster to get the help you need.”