On its initial launch in 2015, the Apple Watch was mostly viewed as a fashion statement or a fitness tracker for the data-obsessed. In the years since, however, Apple has rolled out a succession of features and updates that have made the Watch an attractive lifestyle companion for a wider sector of the population. It’s found favour among older adults, families and even young children. Part of the reason for this success it the Apple Watch’s comprehensive range of Safety and Health services that allow wearers to monitor their well-being and call for help when needed, all at arms' reach. In a best-case scenario, none of these features will ever need to be used. However, the peace of mind provided by having them on hand is worth the price of an Apple Watch for many users.
All features listed are supported by all models of Apple Watch running the latest operating system, WatchOS10 (WatchOS 11 is coming in autumn 2024). The exception is the siren function, which is only available on the Ultra and Ultra 2 models.
Apple Watch Safety Features
Emergency SOS
Emergency SOS takes a belt-and-braces approach to contacting emergency services. When initiated, Apple Watch Emergency SOS will ring for an ambulance, and then share the wearer’s location with their emergency contacts logged in their Apple ID. The watch will continue to update the emergency contacts every time it detects a location change. This feature relies on the watch connecting to a mobile phone network, so in most regions of the world, Emergency SOS will only work on cellular watches with a functioning Apple Watch plan.
Siren (Ultra and Ultra 2 only)
Space is a premium in a 49mm watch case- nevertheless, Apple have managed to squeeze a small but mighty siren into their top-of-line Ultra and Ultra 2 watch models. When needed, the built-in speaker will emit an ear-splitting 86db tone (roughly the volume of a police siren, though quieter than a standard safety whistle). This is battery-intensive, so an onscreen battery percentage gauge will also display the entire time the siren is sounding. The siren is simple to find on the Ultra and Ultra 2 models - holding down the oblong button on the side of the watch face for a couple of seconds will reveal a menu with three emergency options: Siren, Emergency Call and Compass Backtrack (more on that later). Pressing the crown button again will stop the siren and return to the normal watch face.
Compass Backtrack
Available on the Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6 and later, and the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2, Compass Backtrack is an element of the compass app that lets users retrace their steps if they get lost. The principle is simple: when passing through unfamiliar territory, tap the footsteps icon in the compass app and the watch will begin recording the wearer’s movements. If you wander too far or stray off course, tapping the footsteps again will display an arrow that points in the direction previously travelled, allowing users to return to the location they were before they got lost. This simple but effective technology can save a lot of time and headaches on hiking trips – however, it should be noted that, like many of Apple’s location-based services, the effectiveness will vary depending on the region and is not available everywhere worldwide. As such, it should not be relied upon as the sole navigation or survival tool in an expedition.
Crash Detection
Available for the Apple Watch Series 8 and later, 2nd-gen Apple Watch SEs and the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2, crash detection is a relatively new and much-publicised Apple Watch feature that offers to call emergency services when the watch detects a car crash. Using a combination of instruments, including location tracking, accelerometers, microphones and air pressure sensors, the Apple Watch will attempt to detect serious traffic collisions and begin a 20-second countdown. If no response is given by the wearer after twenty seconds, the Watch (if still intact and functioning) will dial the local emergency services and relay a prerecorded message with the wearer’s coordinates (similar to the usual Apple Watch emergency call function). Any added emergency contacts will also be notified on their iPhones or Apple Watches. Crash detection is a potentially life-saving innovation that can notify emergency services when the wearer is unconscious – however, as Apple state themselves, it’s not able to detect crashes with 100% accuracy.
Fall Detection
The Fall Detection function, introduced in the Apple Watch Series 4, works similarly to Crash Detection: multiple sensors in and on the watch work together to detect a sudden drop. If the watch suspects its user has taken a hard fall, it will display a warning message with the option to call an ambulance or dismiss the notification. Failure to do so within one minute of the warning appearing will cause the watch to contact the local emergency services. Fall Detection certainly has its uses, particularly for older adults: in fact, it’s turned on by default for Apple Watch wearers over 55. Others will have to manually enable it in the settings menu of their Apple Watch. It's also good news for cyclists, who are not covered by the Apple Watch Crash Detection feature.
Find My
Originally developed as a way for Apple users to locate a lost phone or smartwatch, Find My now works for family members as well as devices. When an Apple Watch is set up in Apple Watch For Your Kids mode, the parent or guardian will be able to track the location of the Watch wearer using Apple's Find My People service. In extreme circumstances, the settings can even be adjusted to send notifications when the child leaves a certain location, such as their school. The launch of the Apple Watch Series 9 introduced a more precise tracking technology, sparking debates around individual privacy as well as heightened data collection from Apple.
Apple Watch Health Functions
Medical ID
Apple Watch owners have the option to record any health info, such as allergies, medical conditions and pacemakers in their Apple ID when they first set up their Apple Watch. This is a convenient way for patients, doctors and emergency services to view a person's medical records at a glance. Apple Watch users in the US and Canada can even allow their Watch to submit their medical records to emergency services when using the Emergency SOS function.
Heart Rate Monitoring
The wrist-mounted position of an Apple Watch allows it to record more accurate health data than the iPhone, including blood oxygen levels and heart rate. As well as the usual fitness applications of measuring and analyzing heartbeats, devices with WatchOS 5 and onwards can even notify the wearer when they detect an irregular heart rhythm.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
On its own, the Apple Watch is incapable of monitoring blood sugar levels. However, people who require updates on their blood sugar levels, including some people with diabetes, can connect their Apple Watch to their on-body CGM (continuous glucose monitor). While the Apple Watch does not function like a clinical device, it is a clear and noticeable way to record glucose levels and can notify and alert the wearer when their CGM detects a fall or spike in their blood sugar. Nowadays, CGM monitors are compatible with a wide range of smartphones, wearable tech, and dedicated receivers. Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly been developing their own Watch-based blood sugar monitoring service, though the efficacy of a non-invasive method has been met with skepticism by the FDA, among others.
Safety Features with Apple Watch For Your Kids Mode
Apple Watch For Your Kids (formerly known as Family Setup) is an iOS feature that allows an iPhone user, such as a parent, guardian, or caregiver to set up multiple cellular Apple Watches on their phone and hand them out to family members. These watches will then function as independent mobile devices, able to call, text, use apps and more, while the organizer can control the settings and features of each watch from their iPhone. All cellular Apple Watch safety features, including Emergency SOS, Fall Detection and Find My will also work on a cellular Apple Watch set up in Apple Watch For Your Kids mode. Using this mode requires a cellular Apple Watch model and an active Apple Watch cellular plan.
What to know When Purchasing an Apple Watch
Apple Watches (even the rugged, outdoorsy Ultra models) are ultimately lifestyle products and not survival tools. While many Apple Watch features can help users call for support when needed, they should not be relied on as a sole source of contact. Likewise, the Apple Watch's health functions are a useful tool for understanding and monitoring personal well-being, but they are not a substitute for clinical devices or medical alert systems. Apple Watches can be damaged, get lost, fail or run out of battery. For longer trips, and in situations where survival tools may be needed, care must be taken to ensure adequate backup – whether that’s a satellite phone, GPS unit or other connected device.
How to Manage the Apple Watch Safety Features
Not all Apple Safety features are enabled on startup – for example, Fall Detection is only a default setting for users who enter their age as over 55 when setting up their Apple Watch.
While the thought of keeping the Apple Watch as safe as possible seems like a no-brainer, there are specific cases where some of the Watch safety elements may not be desired. For example, if you’re planning on wearing the watch during intense physical activity, or giving it to a hyperactive child, Fall Detection may be more of a nuisance than a lifesaver. There is also an option to only turn on Fall Detection when your Apple Watch starts a workout.
Fortunately, managing the safety features on an Apple Watch is straightforward. Simply go to Settings > SOS on your Watch to enable or disable the required services.
