iPhone 14: How Crash Detection Works and How to Turn It Off
Crash Detection is a brand-new security feature that Apple unveiled with the release of the iPhone 14 and new Apple Watch models. To find out what it is, how it functions, and how to turn it on and off, keep reading.
What Is Crash Detection?
The goal of crash detection is to identify serious auto accidents in passenger vehicles. Your Apple device can automatically contact emergency services on your behalf if you experience a serious crash and become unresponsive.
How Does Crash Detection Work?
Your iPhone or Apple Watch uses a motion sensor with a high dynamic range gyroscope and high-g accelerometer, GPS, barometer, microphone, and advanced motion algorithms to jointly detect crashes while you're operating a motor vehicle or riding as a passenger.
A 10-second alert appears on the screen of your Apple Watch or iPhone when a severe crash is discovered. If you're still awake, you can swipe the screen to call 911 right away or turn off the alert if you don't need to get in touch with them. A 10-second countdown will begin if you don't touch your Apple device after 10 seconds. Emergency services are contacted when it is over.
The following Siri voice message starts playing on repeat five seconds after the emergency services answer: "The owner of this iPhone was in a catastrophic vehicle collision and is not answering to their phone." Following that, Siri will communicate your approximate location—complete with latitude, longitude, and a search radius—to emergency services as well as through the device's speaker.
The first time the message is played, it is the loudest; subsequent replays are at a lower volume in case you can communicate with emergency services. Until you tap the Stop Recorded Message button or the call is disconnected, the message keeps repeating.
A slider will appear on the Lock Screen for quick access to your Medical ID information, and if you have configured emergency contacts, they will also be notified of the crash after a further 10-second countdown.
What Kinds of Crashes Can It Detect?
According to Apple, Crash Detection can detect front impacts, side impacts, rear-end collisions, and rollovers.
Which Apple Devices Support Crash Detection?
Crash Detection is supported on the following iPhone and Apple Watch models.
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Ultra
How to Enable Crash Detection
There is no setup needed. On the supported devices listed above, crash detection is turned on by default, so there is nothing you need to do. You can turn off the feature by doing the things listed below if you're worried that it might inadvertently record a crash and contact emergency services.
How to Disable Crash Detection
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap through to Emergency SOS.
- Under "Crash Detection," toggle off the switch next to Call After Severe Crash.
Simply turn the switch back on in Settings if you ever want to enable the feature.
