Access Medical ID On Lock screen iPhone and Apple Watch

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The Apple Medical Help feature is lifesaving in case of an emergency. But only when you know how to access Medical ID from the iPhone’s Lock Screen and Apple Watch lock screen. Here’s what you should know about it and How it works with Emergency SOS.

Your iPhone’s Health App has predefined features that alert emergency services to share lifesaving info about your medical conditions and allergies, even when the iPhone is locked and all those without adding a passcode. However, the feature is only available in Canada and USA, and text to 911 may only be available in some regions.

Ignoring all this, if you want to know how to access Medical ID on the lock screen on an older or latest iPhone & Apple Watch, this guide is for you.

Access & Update Medical ID Information

Here is the complete guide on how to set up medical ID, edit emergency contacts, and access medical ID from lock screen on all iPhone, and Apple Watch models.

Access Medical ID on a Locked iPhone

Assume that you guys set up a medical ID on your Device. Then follow the steps below or First, Do set up given in this tutorial.

For iPhone X or Later (No Home Button iPhone),

Note: You have to keep Show When Lock enable (Settings > Health > Medical ID > Edit > Scroll down and enable Show When Lock) to access medical id on locked iPhone screen.

Accessing Medical ID on iPhone X and above differs entirely from the older version. To do so, within the lock screen, press the Side Button and the Volume Button (Up or Down). Up next, drag the Medical ID Slider. You will now be directed to the Medical ID Screen. Tap on the number to make an emergency call.

Access Medical ID from the Passcode lock screen,

On the Passcode lock screen, Click on Emergency at the bottom left corner > Again, Tap on Medical ID from the bottom left corner. Check the Medical ID Information, Tap on “Emergency contacts” to Make a call on the locked screen iPhone.

For iPhone 8 & Earlier,

If you come across someone who is unfamiliar with – you can access Medical ID on a locked iPhone (but only when you set it up), follow the steps below.

Note: You have to keep Show When Lock enable (Settings > Health > Medical ID > Edit > Scroll down and enable Show When Lock) to access medical id on locked iPhone with home button.

Press the Home Key to feature up the Passcode/Lock Screen.
Now, select the Emergency Option from the screen’s bottom left corner.
Next, click on the Red Medical ID from the bottom left corner of the dial pad screen.

You will now navigate to the medical ID screen. Tap on anyone to make a call.

Access Medical ID on Apple Watch

Long press flat Side Button on the right side of Apple Watch to make the power-off screen visible. Next, slide the Medical ID Button to access emergency contacts and health details. Finally, hit on the number to make calls.

Note: If you want to make an emergency call, your Watch must have a cellular plan. If not, you must be connected to an iPhone.

How To Set Up Your Medical ID

First thing first, before knowing the steps to access medical id on lock screen iPhone, you need to set it up. Here are the steps you need to follow.

Note: If the emergency SOS is disable on iPhone, you won’t be able to share Medical information to emergency contacts. To enable Emergency SOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services and enable it.

Navigate to the Health App and select Summary Tab from bottom.
Hit on the Profile at the top left corner.
From the next screen, choose Medical ID. Select Create Medical ID if it’s your first.
Choose Edit from the upper right corner.
Register all health information; Date Of Birth, Medical Condition, Medical Notes, Allergies And Reactions, Medications, Blood Type and Allergies.
Move to the Emergency Contacts menu, and tap + Add Emergency Contact. Doing so will open your contact list; select the one you want and from the Relationship prompt, select the suitable one.
To access it from the Lock Screen, enable the toggle next to Show When Locked from the bottom of the screen. In a state of emergency, this will share the information with the person who wants to help. To parcel your Medical ID to the responder, enable Share During Emergency Call. When you send a message or make a call, your Medical ID will automatically be shared with emergency services.
At last, hit Next > Done.

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Health. From the Medical Details Menu, hit Medical ID. Now from the top right corner, click on Edit. Enter all health information and Emergency Contacts as mentioned above.

How to Setup Medical ID On Apple Watch

After configuring the Medical ID on the iPhone, it’s also essential to configure it on the Apple Watch. Usually, the responders are trained to get a glance from the watch. This ultimately means the Apple Watch needs to be set up with a Medical ID. If you haven’t yet done, follow the steps below.

Access the Watch Application on iPhone.
Move to My Watch and then select Health.
Tap on Medical ID. Ensure all details are accurately entered.
And turn on the option Show When Locked.

How To Edit Emergency Contacts (Health App)

If you want to add, remove, or edit the contact you saved under the emergency contacts on Health App, follow the steps below.

Search and open the Health App.
Click on the Summary Tab.
From the upright corner, click on Profile Icon.
In the Profile Icon screen, choose Medical ID.
Hit on Edit from the top right corner.
Scroll down to Emergency Contacts; click on + Add Emergency Contact if you want to add. From the contact list, select one from the list. Up next, from the Relationship prompt, choose the suitable one.

If you want to remove the contact, tap on the – Minus Icon next to desired contact. For further confirmation, click Delete.

Add And Remove Emergency Contacts On iPhone

This is the shortcut way to add and remove emergency contacts. If you want to know, follow the steps below.

Add From Contact App

Go to the Contacts App.
Hit on the Contact you want to add to the list of emergency contacts.
Swipe down and hit on the Add To Emergency Contacts.
Tap on Relationship Status. After this, it will appear on the Medical ID. And then hit Done.

As confirmation, there will be a red icon beside the contact you set up inside the Emergency Contacts. Additionally, it will be automatically with your Apple Watch.

Remove From Contact App

Access the Contacts App.
Select Contact you want to remove from the emergency contacts list.
Swipe down and select Remove From Emergency Contacts.

In the next pop-up, re-tap on the Remove From Emergency Contacts for further confirmation.

How To Add And Remove Emergency Contacts From Apple Watch

Why do we need to remove the iPhone from the pocket to add or remove emergency contacts? Since you do it from your wrist, Apple Watch!

Add From Apple Watch

Go to Settings. Select Health.
From the next screen, swipe and select Medical ID.
Scroll down and tap Edit Medical ID.
Tap Add Emergency Contacts.

From the contact list, select the desired and add the relationship status. Lastly, tap Done.

Remove From Apple Watch

Go to Settings. Select Health.
From the next screen, swipe and select Medical ID.
Scroll down and tap Edit Medical ID.

Swipe down to the contact; slide from left to right on the contact you want to remove. And tap X Icon.

Bottom Line

Knowing how to access medical ID on lock screen makes everything easier. And what’s the best part is no one can access your Medical ID, even Apple, until your iPhone isn’t physically accessed.

Can You Add Multiple Emergency Contacts?

Yes, you can add multiple contacts to Emergency Contacts in Medical ID. You can do with from both Health App and Contact App, if you aren’t familiar with steps read our article.

Is It Safe Using Medical ID On iPhone?

Unfortunately, there is no way of limiting Medical ID filled with information to your personnel. Therefore, anyone with physical access to your iPhone can firmly steal your Medical Information. To prevent such a situation, you need to learn to protect your iPhone; at the same point, you need always to hold the iPhone to avoid such possibilities. The best part is that no third-party application can steal your Medical ID, and even Apple cannot do so.

Why Is Medical ID Missing On Lock Screen iPhone?

This is because you have not enabled the Show When Locked feature during the setup. To do so, navigate to Settings, and choose Health. Next, move to Medical Details Menu and tap on Medical ID. Click on Edit. Swipe down and tap on the toggle to enable Show When Locked.

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