Where Are Emergency SOS Settings and Logs Stored?
Emergency SOS settings live in system settings on iPhone and Android. Calls log like normal calls; satellite texts stay in Messages on iPhone.
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Emergency SOS is a settings page plus ordinary logs. The configuration (gesture, countdown, siren on some models) sits in system settings, while actual SOS calls land in the regular call history. Medical ID data shown to responders comes from the Health app on iPhone or safety settings on Android.
Satellite is the special case. Supported iPhones send emergency texts and location over satellite straight from the SOS flow, and those messages persist in the Messages thread. Android satellite SOS varies by maker and carrier, so check the safety section on your exact phone. Review the settings yearly; OS updates occasionally add new call or siren options.
Where Emergency SOS stores this, by platform
Settings > Emergency SOS
SOS calls appear in Recents like any call. Satellite threads persist in Messages. Medical ID in the Health app feeds responder screens. Review Settings > Emergency SOS after major iOS updates.
Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS
Gesture, alarm, and number settings vary by maker under Safety and emergency. SOS calls log in the Phone app history. Satellite availability depends on model and carrier.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up Emergency SOS?
On iPhone, open Settings > Emergency SOS and choose the hold-and-release or button-press style plus the countdown sound. On Android, open Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS with its own gesture and alarm options. Test the settings screen, never the call itself.
Can I text rescuers over satellite?
Yes, on iPhone 14 and later without cellular or WiFi. The phone guides you to point at a satellite and the conversation runs inside Messages like a normal thread. Contact Apple support afterward if the transcript matters for a report, since there is no export button.
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