To enable Medical ID on your iPhone, open the Health app, tap your profile picture, select Medical ID, enter your details, and turn on Show When Locked.
Most people carry their iPhone everywhere, but if a car accident or medical emergency happens, the first thing a responder does is check for ID. Your lock screen can display exactly what they need—allergies, blood type, emergency contacts—without them needing your passcode. The feature is called Medical ID, it lives inside the iPhone’s Health app, and setting it up takes under two minutes.
Setting Up Your Medical ID On iPhone (Step-by-Step)
Getting Medical ID ready requires only the Health app and a minute of your time. The steps below follow Apple’s current support guidance exactly.
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select Medical ID.
- Tap Get Started or Edit.
- Enter your information: date of birth, height, weight, blood type, and any medical conditions or allergies.
- Add Emergency Contacts by tapping the green plus (+) button.
- Toggle Show When Locked to the on (green) position so responders can see it without your passcode.
- Turn on Share During Emergency Call to automatically send this data to emergency services when you dial 911 (this works in the U.S. and Canada only).
- Tap Done in the top-right corner.
What Is Medical ID On iPhone?
Medical ID is a section of the Health app that stores critical health information and emergency contacts so first responders can view it without needing your iPhone passcode.
It effectively turns your lock screen into a medical alert bracelet. Paramedics and ER staff are trained to check a phone’s lock screen for this info when a person is unresponsive or unable to speak. The data stays on your device and is encrypted, so privacy is maintained until an emergency requires access.
What Information Can You Add To Medical ID?
Apple’s setup asks for specific details that are most useful to emergency personnel. You can add as much or as little as you want, but the more relevant information you include, the better equipped a responder is to treat you safely.
- Medical Conditions – diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, heart conditions
- Allergies and Reactions – penicillin, latex, bee stings, shellfish
- Medications – daily prescriptions or regular over-the-counter drugs
- Blood Type – O+, A–, AB+, etc.
- Organ Donor Status
- Height and Weight
- Primary Language
- Emergency Contacts – at least one person who should be notified
How First Responders Access Your Medical ID
Emergency personnel can view Medical ID from the iPhone’s Lock Screen without needing your passcode. The exact method depends on whether your iPhone uses Face ID or Touch ID.
On an iPhone with Face ID, responders press the side button repeatedly until the Emergency SOS slider appears, then they press the side button again and tap Medical ID. On an iPhone with Touch ID (a Home button), they press the Home or side button to get to the Lock Screen, tap Emergency in the bottom-left corner, and then tap Medical ID. Apple’s official setup guide confirms these exact paths.
| Setting | Purpose | When It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Show When Locked | Lets responders see data without a passcode | Any medical emergency |
| Share During Emergency Call | Sends info to emergency services during a 911 call | When you are conscious but injured |
| Medical Conditions | Informs responders of critical diagnoses | Unconscious or unable to speak |
| Allergies | Prevents administration of harmful drugs | Drug allergy emergency |
| Emergency Contacts | Alerts your designated person | Hospitalization or serious injury |
| Medications | Avoids dangerous drug interactions | Conscious but injured |
| Blood Type | Speeds up transfusion decisions | Trauma or blood loss |
Setting Up Medical ID On Apple Watch
If you own an Apple Watch, your Medical ID syncs automatically from your paired iPhone. You do not need to set it up again on the watch itself.
To view it on your Apple Watch during an emergency, press and hold the side button until sliders appear, then swipe the Medical ID slider. You can also find it in the watch’s Settings app under SOS > Medical ID. Any changes you make on the iPhone update automatically on the watch.
Common Medical ID Setup Mistakes To Avoid
Most problems come down to missing one toggle or skipping a key field. Here is what to double-check so your Medical ID works when you need it most.
- Forgetting “Show When Locked” – This is the single most common error. Without it on, your Medical ID is invisible to anyone who picks up your locked phone.
- Skipping Emergency Contacts – A list of medications helps, but responders also need to know who to call. Add at least one contact.
- Ignoring “Share During Emergency Call” – This toggle is separate from “Show When Locked.” If you want emergency services to automatically receive your data when you dial 911, this must be switched on. It works in the U.S. and Canada.
- Leaving out critical allergies – If you have a severe allergy (penicillin, peanuts, latex), listing it here could save your life.
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Show When Locked” is off | Responders cannot access Medical ID from locked phone | Toggle it on in Health > Profile > Medical ID |
| “Share During Emergency” is off | 911 dispatchers do not receive your data | Toggle it on if you are in the US or Canada |
| No emergency contacts added | Family isn’t notified in an emergency | Tap the green + under Emergency Contacts |
| Outdated medical info | Responders act on stale data | Review and update every few months |
| No Apple Watch setup | Watch won’t show Medical ID in SOS mode | Set it up on the paired iPhone; it syncs automatically |
Your iPhone Medical ID Quick-Start Checklist
Medical ID only works if it’s set up correctly. Run through this checklist one time and you are covered for any emergency.
- [ ] Medical conditions and allergies entered in the Health app
- [ ] At least one emergency contact added
- [ ] “Show When Locked” toggled on
- [ ] “Share During Emergency Call” enabled (if in the US or Canada)
- [ ] Medical ID sync confirmed on paired Apple Watch
Once these boxes are checked, your iPhone becomes a first-responder-ready safety tool. You never need to think about it again until it’s time for a quick update on your conditions or emergency contacts.
References & Sources
- Apple Support. “Set up and view your Medical ID.” Official iPhone setup steps and emergency access instructions.
- Apple Support. “Set up your Medical ID in the Health app on your iPhone.” Additional details on Medical ID setup and toggles.
- Apple Support. “Set up and view Medical ID on Apple Watch.” Apple Watch sync and side-button access.