Apple to let users automatically share Medical IDs on emergency calls

Apple is making the repository of medical information in your iPhone more useful in an emergency.

On Wednesday, Apple shared that its upcoming iOS 13.5 update would include the ability for users to automatically share their “Medical ID” when they make an emergency call. If users enable the feature, their info would be automatically shared with 9-11 dispatchers, who would then share it with emergency responders if a service called “Enhanced Emergency Data” data is available in their area. 

The idea is that first responders would get information about you without you having to do anything. That could be helpful if, say, you have an allergy to a medication but are unresponsive and unable to give responders that information yourself.

“This will help medical professionals quickly receive the most vital information (like medical conditions, allergies, and medications) on patients to help reduce emergency response times,” Apple’s announcement reads.

A Medical ID is not an official hospital or military number, or anything like that. Anyone with an iPhone can create a Medical ID by tapping the profile icon in the upper right corner of the Health app, clicking Medical ID, and filling in details. A Medical ID includes a user’s date of birth, height, and weight, and lets users fill in other information, such as emergency contacts, blood type, medications, allergies, and organ donor status.

Apple says that Apple itself does not have access to Medical ID information, even when you choose to automatically share it: “Medical ID information is encrypted and cannot be read by Apple. If a user chooses to share their Medical ID information with first responders and calls 911, Apple uses the person’s location to check if the Enhanced Emergency Data service is supported in their area. If so, the data is shared securely with emergency services.”

Users can currently enable an option in Medical ID called “Show when locked.” That would make your Medical ID appear on your lock screen, which Apple says “gives information to people who want to help.” When you call 911, Apple will alert your emergency contacts and send them your location.