How to set up Medical ID on iPhone

If you ever face a medical emergency, your iPhone can help first responders access vital health information quickly. With Medical ID, you can store details like allergies, blood type, and emergency contacts directly in the Health app.

At Asurion, we help millions of people get the most out of their tech every day—whether it’s setting up important features or fixing unexpected issues—so you can trust our experts to guide you through the process.

What is Medical ID on iPhone?

Medical ID is a feature in the Health app that makes important health details available on your iPhone’s Lock Screen. Paramedics, doctors, or anyone helping you in an emergency can view this information without needing your passcode.

How to create your Medical ID on iPhone

Follow these steps to set up your Medical ID:

1. Open the Health app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top right.
3. Select Medical ID.
4. Tap Get Started (or Edit if you’ve set one up before).
5. Enter your information, like medical conditions, allergies, medications, and blood type.
6. Add Emergency Contacts. These contacts will be notified if you use Emergency SOS. Learn more about adding emergency contacts on your iPhone.
7. Turn on Show When Locked so the information appears on your Lock Screen.
8. Tap Done.

How to access someone’s Medical ID

In an emergency, here’s how others can view your Medical ID:

1. From the Lock Screen, press and hold the Side button and a Volume button until the power screen appears.
2. Tap Medical ID in the bottom left corner.

This makes your health details and emergency contacts visible. For emergencies on other Apple devices, see how to use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch.

Why you should set up Medical ID

Setting up Medical ID can:

• Give first responders critical information if you can’t speak.
• Help emergency services notify your chosen contacts quickly.
• Provide doctors with your medications, allergies, and conditions before treatment.

FAQ

How do I update my Medical ID on iPhone?

Open the Health app, go to Medical ID, tap Edit, make your changes, and tap Done.

Can I hide my Medical ID from the Lock Screen?

Yes. While editing your Medical ID, turn off Show When Locked. You can still share your info with emergency services when making an SOS call.

Do emergency contacts need to have an iPhone?

No. Emergency contacts can be any phone number, regardless of the device.

Is Medical ID secure?

Your Medical ID details are only shared when you choose to show them on your Lock Screen or when you use Emergency SOS.