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Q. I’m a First Responder and our department has been trained to look at the Apple Health app on the iPhone for Medical ID information. We can open the Medical ID part of the app, even if the phone is locked, giving us valuable medical information and saving time trying to hunt for an ICE contact (In Case of Emergency).
Since we were trained I’ve asked around but no one knows about the Medical ID part of the Apple Health app. The Health app won’t help anyone unless it’s been set up by the iPhone’s owner so people need to learn about the app and take the time to set it up.
Could you do an article about how the Medical ID part of Apple Health works so people find out about it and know how to use it? That could help give us important information and may save lives in Emergency situations. Also, other First Responders who haven’t been trained to look for it can learn about where to find Medical ID information on Apple Health.
A. Great idea, thanks for the suggestion! You’re right, an important new feature was added to iOS 8 that can help people in the event of emergencies: the Apple Health app.
The Health app has a Medical ID section where you can store important information about medical conditions, emergency ICE contacts, blood type, allergies and more. You can allow access to this information even if your phone is locked with a passcode.
In case of emergency, someone can open the Health app on your iPhone, even if the phone is locked with a passcode, see your medical information and call your emergency contacts from the app. By having the app set up you may help someone save your life.
The Health app arrives on your iPhone with iOS 8, you don’t need to download it from the iTunes App Store.
But you have to set up the Health app first for it to work for you.
[tip] Also see, ICE: Tech to Save Your Life [/tip]
Setting Up Medical ID in Apple Health
The Apple Health app arrived with iOS 8 for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. In addition to tracking your physical fitness, the app has a Medical ID section that you can use to share your health information with others in case of emergency.
Take a few minutes now to set up Medical ID in the Apple Health app on your iPhone:
1. Open the Health app on your phone. You can tap on the icon, search for the app or ask Siri to “Open Health app.”
2. Tap the Medical ID icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Turn on Show When Locked to allow access to the app when your phone is locked.
4. Enter the information about yourself. You can include:
- Your Photo
- Age
- Medical conditions
- Medical Notes
- Allegies & Reactions
- Medications
- Emergency Contacts
- Blood Type
- Whether you’re an organ donor
- Height
- Weight
Important: The information you enter here:
=> won’t be shared with other apps.
=> will be available to anyone who has your phone so don’t include private information such as your Social Security number, insurance ID number or anything else you want secure.
Accessing Medical ID Information on Apple Health
To see Medical ID information on an iPhone, swipe the lock screen to the right. On the passcode screen, tap Emergency.
On the Emergency Call keypad, tap * Medical ID
The Medical ID screen will be shown (if Show When Locked has been turned on) so you can see all the medical information that the owner has entered.
Tapping on the Emergency Contact in Medical ID will place a call to that contact.
Using Siri with Apple Health
You can also use Siri to access Medical ID information even if the phone is locked.
Press and hold the home button and say “Health”. Siri will open the Medical ID information in the Apple Health app.
Your Thoughts
Did you know about the Medical ID information in Apple Health? Have you set up Apple Health with your information and allow the app to Show When Locked? Have you set up your ICE contacts?
Please let us know your thoughts in the Comments section below and share this article with others so they will know to set up their Medical ID in the Apple Health app.
This is a really smart idea! I bet this is very helpful to nurses and emt’s when trying to find out who to call. Love it. Is it available on something other than an iphone?
Hi Tanya, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Great question. The Apple Health app is on the iPhone but I found this free ICE app for Android that comes highly rated. I haven’t tested it but the reviews of the app are very strong: ICE app in Google Play.
Hey Carolyn,
This is really cool. I might actually put this on my phone but have the information for Mom. I mean if we can have all her medical stuff easily available then that would be wonderful. I say that because she doesn’t have a cell phone with data usage because 1) she would find that way too confusing and 2) she can’t hear on those phones for some reason.
Do you think that would be a smart idea?
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, That’s great you want to keep your mom’s information handy for first responders. I suggest that you fill out the Health app information for yourself and put your mom’s information in the Notes section.
If you fill in your mom’s information in Apple Health a first responder finding your phone in an emergency could mistake you for your mom and have the wrong information. You might have different blood types, allergies, medical conditions, etc. that would make that mistake extremely serious.
So take a few minutes to fill out your information, then add your mom’s in the Notes section of Apple Health.
Hey Carolyn,
Thanks for your reply.
I actually wasn’t thinking about having my information because I have a feeling that whatever the case may be, unless we’re both in a horrible accident, that I would be the alert one. Just having Mom’s information handy because she has it scribbled on pieces of paper and I can’t read her handwriting. LOL!!! I might have to think of something else then but this is definitely good to know.
Appreciate your input my dear, you’re the best.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Yes, none of us really expects to be in an accident. But by taking a few minutes to fill out the Medical ID information you may be making a first responder’s job much easier. Please do fill out the information, Adrienne. It doesn’t cost anything to do that, other than your time. Yet that investment of a few minutes may prove to be very valuable.
Hi Carolyn,
I didn’t know you were a first responder. This sounds like a wonderful app to have. I hope a version for the Android comes out soon.
Hi Sherryl, No, I’m not a first responder. This was a question asked by a Wonder of Tech reader. I often get article ideas from Wonder of Tech readers. In fact, my best ideas for article ideas come from Wonder of Tech readers!
I will put a suggestion for an Android ICE app in the article. As Apple Health is an app by Apple, it probably isn’t coming to Android any time soon!
Since I am on android platform so I would definitely give free ICE app a try and thank you for mentioning an alternative.
Hi Neeraj, That’s great! I’m so glad you’re going to be filling in your ICE information on your Android phone. We don’t think that we’ll ever need to use it, and I hope you never do, but having this information handy for first responders may save valuable time.