How to Find Emergency Contacts on a Locked Phone: A Guide for First Aiders

How to Find Emergency Contacts on a Locked Phone: A Guide for First Aiders

A colleague collapses at work. You've called 999, you're giving first aid, and the ambulance is on its way. Someone asks, "Should we call their family?" Their phone is on the desk, but it's locked. Knowing how to find emergency contacts on a locked phone is a quick, simple skill that can help at exactly this moment.

Most of us carry a phone that holds the names of the people who matter most to us. But few people realise that both iPhones and Android phones have a built-in way for someone else to reach those people, without ever needing the passcode. It takes about thirty seconds to learn, and it's a skill that belongs in every first aider's toolkit.

Why Accessing Emergency Contacts Matters in a First Aid Situation

Loved ones can be told quickly. When someone is taken to hospital unconscious or confused, one of the hardest parts for their family is not knowing. A quick call from a bystander or first aider means a partner, parent or carer can get to the hospital promptly and share vital information with the medical team.

Emergency medical information can save a life. Emergency contacts often sit alongside critical health details. On an iPhone, first responders can see information like allergies and medical conditions as well as who to contact in case of an emergency. Knowing that someone is diabetic, epileptic, on blood thinners or has a serious allergy can change how they're treated, and can help you give the right first aid while you wait for the ambulance.

It helps people who can't speak for themselves. Think of an elderly relative with dementia who has wandered off, a child who is too frightened to talk, or someone having a seizure. Their phone may be able to speak for them.

Medical professionals already use it. Paramedics, nurses, and doctors are increasingly aware of and use ICE (In Case of Emergency) to notify a person's emergency contacts and obtain critical medical information when a patient arrives unconscious or is unable to answer questions. If you're first on the scene, you can do the same.

A word of caution: this is for genuine emergencies only. If someone collapses, always call 999 first, follow the call handler's instructions, and give first aid where needed. Treat anything you see on someone's phone as private.

How to Find Emergency Contacts on a Locked iPhone (Medical ID)

Apple calls this feature Medical ID.

1. Wake the phone and bring up the passcode screen. Depending on the model, you do this by swiping up or pressing the Home button.

2. Tap "Emergency", then "Medical ID". Tap Emergency on the passcode screen, then tap Medical ID. Both options sit in the bottom-left corner.

3. Scroll down to find their emergency contacts. From here you can contact the listed emergency contacts directly, and you'll see any medical details they've added.

Quick alternative: Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons, and you should see a Medical ID slider alongside the Emergency option. Be careful not to slide Emergency SOS by mistake unless you mean to call emergency services.

Tip: If the phone uses Face ID, you won't see the passcode screen straight away when you look at it, but first responders will see this option because the phone won't recognise their face.

How to Find Emergency Contacts on a Locked Samsung or Android Phone

Samsung Galaxy phones show emergency contacts and Medical info from the emergency dialler.

1. Wake the phone and tap "Emergency call". Tap the screen or press the power button to wake the phone, then tap "Emergency call" on the unlock screen.

2. Find their emergency contacts. These will appear on the emergency call screen. On some versions, you need to tap the green Dial-pad icon first, which then displays a list of the device's registered emergency contacts. Tap one to contact them.

3. View their medical information. Select "Medical info" in the lower-left corner, or tap "View medical info", depending on the software version.

Other Android phones, such as Google Pixels, work in a similar way: swipe up to the unlock screen, tap Emergency or Emergency call, and look for an option to view emergency information. Menu names vary between brands and software versions, so practise on a friend's phone (with their permission) before you ever need it.

How to Set Up Your Own Emergency Contacts and Medical Information

All of this only works if the phone's owner has filled in their details and allowed them to show on the lock screen. So the most useful thing you can do after reading this is set up your own.

• iPhone: Open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then Medical ID. Add your emergency contacts and health details, and turn on Show When Locked. (Apple's full guide: Set up your Medical ID

• Samsung: Go to Settings, then Safety and emergency, then Emergency contacts, and tap Add emergency contact. Make sure Show on Lock screen is switched on, then add your details under Medical info as well. (Samsung's full guide: Emergency contacts and medical info

Take five minutes today to set yours up, and encourage the people you love to do the same, especially older relatives, anyone with a medical condition, and teenagers who are starting to go out on their own. Then tell the people on your list that you've added them, so a call from a stranger won't come as a complete surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see someone's emergency contacts without their pass-code?

Yes, as long as they've set up Medical ID (iPhone) or emergency contacts and medical info (Android) and allowed it to show on the lock screen.

What does ICE mean on a phone?

ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency". It refers to the contacts a person wants to be called if something happens to them.

Should I call 999 before looking at someone's phone?

Yes. Always call 999 and give any necessary first aid first. Finding emergency contacts comes afterwards, or can be done by someone else at the scene.

Does this work on every phone?

Most modern iPhones and Android phones have this feature, but the exact menu names vary. It will only show information the owner has chosen to add.

Be Ready for Any Emergency

Knowing how to find emergency contacts on a phone is one small part of being prepared. Knowing what to do next, from putting someone in the recovery position to performing CPR or using a defibrillator, is what really makes the difference.

Our first aid training courses give you the skills and confidence to act when it matters. We also supply a full range of first aid kits and equipment, so you'll have the right supplies to hand at work, at home or on the go.

Book a Course | Shop first aid kits