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Emergency medical info

The key health details someone would need to help you in an emergency, such as allergies, medicines, conditions and emergency contacts, kept where responders can find them.

What It Means

Emergency medical info is the short set of health facts a stranger, paramedic or emergency room would need if you couldn't explain them yourself: allergies, medicines, medical conditions and who to call. Keeping it current, and somewhere it can be found without unlocking your phone, is the point. Both iPhone and Android phones have a built-in place for it that can be shown on the lock screen.

Try It: Set Up Emergency Info on Your Phone

Pick your phone to see the steps its maker gives. Menu names can differ by model and software version.

Medical ID, per Apple Support

  1. Open the Health app and tap your profile picture.
  2. Tap Medical ID, then add medications, allergies and conditions.
  3. Add emergency contacts and their relationship to you.
  4. Turn on Show When Locked.

In an emergency, call 911 first.

How People Say It

  • "Put your allergies in your phone's medical ID."
  • "Who's your emergency contact these days?"
  • "Grandma keeps her medicine list taped inside the cupboard door."

The Breakdown

What to record (Buhata's suggestion)

DetailExample
AllergiesPenicillin, peanuts, bee stings
MedicinesName and dose of each one you take
Medical conditionsDiabetes, asthma, a heart condition
Emergency contactsTwo people, with their relationship to you
Blood typeIf you know it
InsurancePlan name and member ID

Where to keep it. On your phone's lock screen, where Apple and Google both let you show it without unlocking; on a card in your wallet; and with your family emergency planFamily emergency planA written plan a household agrees on ahead of time for how it will reach each other, where it will meet and what it will do in a disaster or emergency. See more and emergency kitEmergency kitA packed set of water, food, light, first aid and other basics that lets a household get through several days on its own after a disaster. See more at home, so it's there if a phone is dead or lost.

Who it applies to. Every adult, and especially anyone with allergies, a long-term condition or several medicines. Parents can keep a child's details in their own notes and with whoever looks after the child.

Documents to keep with it

  • A current medicine list
  • A copy of your insurance card
  • Your vaccination record

Official source. Apple Support and Android Help pages for the phone steps, checked October 2026.

Good to Know

Apple says Medical ID lets first responders read details like allergies, conditions and emergency contacts from the Lock Screen without your passcode, which only works if Show When Locked is on. Android's emergency information has the same lock screen option. Anything on the lock screen can be read by anyone holding the phone, so record what helps in an emergency and leave out what you'd rather keep private. Update it whenever a medicine or contact changes, and in an emergency call 911.

FAQ

How do I add emergency medical info on an iPhone?

Open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then Medical ID, and add your medications, allergies, conditions and emergency contacts. Turn on Show When Locked so it can be seen from the Lock Screen, as Apple Support describes.

Can paramedics see my medical ID if my phone is locked?

On an iPhone, yes, if Show When Locked is on; Apple says it's there for first responders without the passcode. Android's Personal Safety app has a similar setting to show emergency info when the phone is locked.

What should emergency medical information include?

Allergies, the medicines you take with their doses, medical conditions and at least one emergency contact. Blood type and insurance details are useful if you have them.

Do It in Buhata

Notes (Premium), Reminders

Keep your allergies, medicines and emergency contacts in Notes (Premium), and set a Reminder every few months to check they're still current.

Open Buhata

Related Terms and Categories

  • Family emergency plan

    A written plan a household agrees on ahead of time for how it will reach each other, where it will meet and what it will do in a disaster or emergency.

  • Emergency kit

    A packed set of water, food, light, first aid and other basics that lets a household get through several days on its own after a disaster.

  • Annual physical

    A routine yearly checkup with your primary care provider to review your health and get recommended screenings, often covered as preventive care.

  • Travel insurance

    A policy bought for a trip that can repay prepaid costs if you cancel for a covered reason, and pay for medical care or evacuation while away.

Planning and life admin

Sources

Apple Support, "Set up your Medical ID in the Health app on your iPhone"; Apple, iPhone User Guide, "Set up and view your Medical ID"; Android Help, "Get help during an emergency with your Android phone"

Last updated .