Reaching out to family or calling 911 is vital in emergencies.

When phone service is down, iPhone 14 and newer models can connect to satellites for emergency communication. However, even if phone lines are operational, it may still be tough to send messages or make calls due to high demand. To increase your chances of connecting with others or calling for help following a storm, consider the following strategies.

Check out this video for helpful tips on contacting loved ones during emergencies.

Tips for texting in an emergency

If you need to get in touch with someone: Send a text instead of calling.

Many officials recommend texting first to keep phone lines available for urgent calls. Plus, texts consume less battery life than voice calls.

• Be brief.

Make your message concise. Use abbreviations and skip punctuation when possible—so instead of writing, “How are you?” consider shortening it to “how r u” to lessen the data load on busy networks.

• Utilize multiple messaging platforms.

Employ every available method to send your message. Whether it’s SMS, apps like WhatsApp, email, or social media, the more channels you use, the higher the chances that one of your messages will get through.

Tips for making calls in an emergency

• Keep the conversation short.

The Federal Communication Commission advises minimizing “non-essential calls” to keep lines open for those needing urgent assistance.

• Be patient before redialing.

Should your call fail to connect at first, wait 10-15 seconds before trying again. If available, use a landline for a more reliable connection.

• Stay still.

If you are in a vehicle, stop and make your call safely.

Get your iPhone or Android ready

Preparation is key, so take a moment to ensure your phone is set up properly:

• Add one or more emergency contacts to your phone.

iPhone users can set this up in the Medical ID section of the Health app.

Android users can configure emergency contacts through the Safety & emergency settings.

• Input essential medical details.

Both iPhone and Android devices can store important health information, like medications, allergies, and blood type, making it accessible during emergencies. This information can be crucial for first responders if you cannot communicate it yourself.

On iPhones, this is found in the Medical ID within the Health app.

For Android devices, you’ll find it in the Safety & emergency settings.

• Ensure your phone’s software is up to date.

This gives you access to the latest features that can be critical. For instance, iPhone 14 users with the newest iOS 18 have unique safety functionalities that are not available on older versions.