How to Set Up a Medical ID on Your Phone

Your smartphone has a feature that could save your life in an emergency. It stores your medical information — allergies, medications, blood type, conditions, and emergency contacts — and makes it available to paramedics or emergency room staff even when your phone is locked with a password or fingerprint.

First responders are trained to look for Medical ID on smartphones when they arrive at a scene. It takes them only seconds to access. They do not need your password. The information appears on the locked screen automatically.

This feature is called **Medical ID** on iPhones and **Emergency Information** (sometimes listed as "Medical info") on Android phones. Setting it up takes about five to ten minutes and you only need to do it once. Keeping it up to date — especially when medications change — is the main ongoing step.

Who should set this up

Anyone can benefit. But it is especially valuable for people who: - Take multiple prescription medications - Have known allergies (especially to medications or latex) - Have conditions that affect treatment decisions (diabetes, heart conditions, seizure disorders, bleeding disorders, kidney disease) - Are organ donors - Have a blood type that is rare or important to know before a transfusion

Even if you are in good health, the emergency contact portion alone makes this worth setting up. If you are ever in an accident and cannot speak, paramedics can call your listed contact right away.

What to include

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Blood type (check your blood donor card, a past medical record, or ask your doctor if you do not know)
• Allergies and reactions (be specific: "Penicillin — severe rash and throat swelling")
• Current medications with doses (for example: "Metoprolol 25mg, Lisinopril 10mg, Metformin 500mg")
• Medical conditions relevant to emergency treatment (diabetes, pacemaker, COPD, seizure disorder)
• Organ donor status
• Emergency contacts (name and phone number — include a family member and a close friend)
• Your primary doctor's name and phone number

A note on privacy

The Medical ID on iPhone is visible from the lock screen only when someone taps "Emergency" and then "Medical ID." It is not visible to anyone who just picks up your phone. On Android, it is accessed through the emergency calling screen. You control exactly what information to include — leave any field blank if you prefer not to share it.

Sources: Apple Support (https://support.apple.com/en-us/111799), Google Android Help (https://support.google.com/android/answer/6141631), American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html).