Safety Settings: These five features on your phone can save your life in an emergency; learn how to set them up today..

The recent figures from Delhi are extremely shocking and worrying. Within the first 15 days of January 2026, more than 800 people were reported missing in the capital. This includes 509 women and girls, and 298 men. This situation is a wake-up call for all of us. We often talk about being vigilant in public places, but we forget that the smartphone in our pocket is not just for making calls or watching reels, but also the biggest weapon for saving lives in times of trouble. In this article, we will tell you about 5 important safety features of your phone that you should set up today for your safety.
1. Emergency SOS
Emergency SOS is the most important feature of a phone that everyone should keep enabled. It's the most crucial feature that comes in handy during emergencies. You can set up 'Emergency Contacts' in the settings; this way, whenever you are in such a situation, a call or message will be sent to your selected contacts.

For iPhones: Press your phone's side button (power button) 5 times continuously. Doing this will call the police or ambulance, and your family will receive your location.

For Android: Go to your phone's 'Settings' and search for 'Safety and Emergency'. Turn on SOS here. After this, whenever you press the power button 3 or 5 times, a message for help will be sent to your designated contacts along with your location.

2. Live Location Sharing
Whenever you are in an unfamiliar cab or walking on a deserted road, make it a habit to share your live location with your family. iPhone users can share real-time information with their family through the 'Find My' app, and Android users can use the 'Location Sharing' feature of 'Google Maps'. Instead of sending a regular location, sharing your 'live' location is safer because it allows your family to track your movements and know your current whereabouts.

3. 112 India App
Be sure to download the Indian government's '112 India' app on your phone, as it acts as a lifesaver in times of trouble. The biggest advantage of this app is that with just one button press, the police, fire brigade, or ambulance receive a message with your precise location. In a difficult situation when you don't have time to make a call, this app is the easiest way to get immediate help.

4. Crash Detection and Personal Safety Check
Modern smartphones are so advanced that they can instantly detect a major accident or a strong impact. They have a 'crash detection' feature that automatically sends a notification to emergency numbers in case of an accident. Additionally, the 'Personal Safety' app on Android phones allows you to set a timer (safety check). If you don't respond to your phone within the set time, the phone understands that you might be in danger and automatically triggers an alarm or sends a message to your family members to alert them.

5. Medical ID
Be sure to save your medical information and family members' contact numbers on your phone so that they can be accessed even when the phone is locked. Go to your phone's 'Health' or 'Safety' settings and fill in details like your blood group and emergency contact numbers, so that in case of unconsciousness or injury, someone can identify you and immediately inform your family. Remember, these features will only work if you enable them beforehand, so take 10 minutes today to check these settings on your and your family's phones, because your caution is your safety.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.