How to set up Medical ID and emergency contacts on an iPhone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open the Health app, tap your picture, then Medical ID, and tap Edit. Add your conditions, allergies, medication, blood type and emergency contacts, and switch on Show When Locked.

Medical ID lets a paramedic or a helpful stranger see vital information and call your family from the Lock Screen, without knowing your passcode. It takes five minutes to fill in and can matter a great deal.

Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. Open the Health app and tap your picture

    Your picture or initials are in the top right corner.

  2. ProfileHealth Details›Medical ID›Health Checklist›Notifications›

    Tap Medical ID, then Edit

    On a new phone, tap Get Started.

  3. Fill in your details

    Add medical conditions, allergies and reactions, medication, blood type, and your main language. Leave out anything you would not want a stranger to read.

  4. Add emergency contacts

    Tap Add Emergency Contact, pick a person from Contacts and choose your relationship. They are sent a message with your location if you use Emergency SOS.

  5. Switch on Show When Locked

    This is what makes it readable in an emergency. Emergency Call sharing can also send the information to emergency services in countries that support it. Tap Done.

Good to know

To view a Medical ID on a locked iPhone: wake it, swipe up, tap Emergency in the bottom corner of the passcode screen, then Medical ID.

To call for help quickly, hold the side button and a volume button until the Emergency Call slider appears.

Check your Medical ID once a year and after any change in medication.

In short: Health, your picture, Medical ID, Edit, add contacts, Show When Locked.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Set up and view your Medical ID

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.