Ever since iOS 11, Apple has introduced new features to help iPhone users in a critical or emergency situation. With iOS 11, Apple tested the service Advanced Mobile Location (AML), by which it is allowed quick access to the location the one who call an emergency number (911-112). The service is already available in areas where mobile phone operators offer support for AML technology.
Also with iOS 11 was introduced the option "Emergency SOS" on the iPhone. Through "Emergency SOS" the user can set an emergency number which can be called by pressing five times of the "sleep/power" button. From the "Emergency SOS" option, a strong alert sound can also be set. This option is always active, even if the iPhone is closed / blocked. The option is available in "Settings" → Emergency SOS.
In addition to these options that can save the lives of iPhone owners or others around them, Apple recently announced a new feature that will be released this fall on iOS 12.
It was established that more than 95% of the calls made to the emergency services are made from the scene of the incident. There are many situations in which the person who calls the emergency number cannot give the operators the exact location where he is. Either he does not know exactly where he is at the time of the incident, or the delicate situation he is in does not allow him to do so. In this sense, Apple will implement on iOS 12 a service that will allow sending the exact location of the caller of the 911 emergency number to the operator who takes the call. The location coordinates will be sent automatically and securely when the emergency number is called. The purpose of this feature is to significantly improve the response time of emergency services.
In accordance with "the protection policy of users' confidential data", Apple assures that only emergency service operators will have access to the users' location during the call.
Apple already offers the service Hybridized Emergency Location (HELO) through which the person who calls an emergency number on the iPhone can be located approximately, using radio waves. On iOS 12, Apple will implement the services Next Generation 911 (NG911) of RapidSOS. This service will allow the location of the caller of the emergency number with an accuracy of less than 50 meters.
This service will be offered starting this fall only for iPhone owners with iOS 12 in the USA. Most likely, starting next year, Apple will expand this service to other countries.
