Turn On Emergency Alerts and Set Up Medical ID on Your Phone

This guide shows how to set up Medical ID and emergency contacts so first responders can see them right from the Lock Screen without unlocking your phone, and how to check that emergency alerts are turned on, on both iPhone and Android.

Set up Medical ID and emergency alerts, step by step

Medical ID & Alerts

!Could paramedics find your medical info?

Two minutes now sets up Medical ID, emergency contacts, and emergency alerts on your phone.

WHAT TO DOWe’re Naples Computers, helping Naples families set this up since 1993.

Emergency alerts and medical id: Could paramedics find your medical info?

iPhone

1iPhone: set up Medical ID

Open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then Medical ID, then Edit.

WHAT TO DOAdd conditions, allergies, medications and an emergency contact, then turn on Show When Locked.

iPhone: set up Medical ID

iPhone

2iPhone: check Government Alerts

Settings → Notifications → Government Alerts.

WHAT TO DOMake sure AMBER and Public Safety Alerts are on. Emergency Alerts can’t be turned off.

iPhone: check Government Alerts

Android

3Android: Safety & emergency

Settings → Safety & emergency.

WHAT TO DOMedical info, Emergency contacts, and Wireless emergency alerts are all in one place.

Android: Safety & emergency

A few tips

Pick a contact who’ll actually answer — Someone nearby, or who can act quickly, is more useful than a far-away relative
Keep it current — Update it after any new diagnosis, surgery, or medication change
Check it once a year — A quick review keeps it accurate when it matters most

Recap: emergency alerts and Medical ID

iPhone: Health app, Medical ID, turn on Show When Locked
iPhone: Settings, Notifications, Government Alerts
Android: Settings, Safety & emergency, one screen for all of it
Keep contacts and medical info current
Need help setting it up? Call Naples Computers

Printable quick guide

Emergency Alerts & Medical ID (1-page quick guide PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Can first responders see Medical ID without my passcode?

Yes, once Show When Locked is turned on in the Health app’s Medical ID screen, it’s visible right from the Lock Screen without unlocking the phone.

Can I turn off emergency alerts completely?

AMBER Alerts and Public Safety Alerts (or Wireless emergency alerts on Android) can be turned off, but alerts about imminent threats to safety cannot be.

Where do I set up emergency contacts on Android?

Settings, then Safety and emergency, has Medical info and Emergency contacts together with Emergency SOS and Wireless emergency alerts, all on one screen.

How often should I update Medical ID?

Review it about once a year, and update it right away after any new diagnosis, surgery, or medication change.

Pick an emergency contact who is nearby or can act quickly, not just the closest relative. Update your Medical ID after any new diagnosis, surgery, or medication change.