How to Set Up Medical ID on Your iPhone

The importance of health cannot be emphasized enough today. With the current pandemic taking the whole world by storm, people across the globe are realizing more and more each day how vital it is to maintain overall good health and well-being. Thankfully, there are apps like the Health app that helps in keeping health data in case you need it for an emergency.

Aside from storing health data, the Health app for iOS can also automatically count your steps as well as measure the distances that you run. Coupled with an Apple Watch, this app can also automatically record your Activity data. One of its very useful features is Medical ID.

In case of an emergency, first responders usually do not have any access or knowledge to your medical information. This is where Medical ID comes in. It enables first aiders to access your health data from your iPhone without having to input your passcode. This information can include allergies, medical conditions, and emergency contacts – all of which may be critical depending on the situation.

If you don’t have a Medical ID yet, here’s how to set it up:

1. The first step is to open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the tab labeled “Summary.”
2. Once the “Summary” tab is open, click on your profile picture. This is located on the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Tap on “Medical ID” under the category “Medical Details.”
4. Found in the upper-right corner of your screen, tap on “Edit.”
5. Find the option “Show When Locked” and turn it on. This ensures that your Medical ID will be available even if your iPhone is locked. This is especially useful in case of an emergency.
6. Aside from turning this option on, this is also the part where you input your health information. This includes your date of birth, height, weight, blood type, any medical condition that you may have, medicines that you constantly take, and allergies.
7. Once all relevant medical information has been entered in the system, tap “Done” and you’ve finished setting up your Medical ID.

In addition to providing your medical information in the system, another part of setting up your Medical ID is providing your emergency contact. This is how you do it:

1. Start by opening the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the tab labeled “Summary.”
2. Once the “Summary” tab is open, tap on your profile picture. This is located on the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Select “Medical ID” under the category “Medical Details.”
4. Found in the upper-right corner of your screen, click on “Edit.”
5. Once a new page opens, scroll down to find “Emergency Contacts.”
6. Located beside the “Add Emergency Contact,” tap on the green circle icon with a plus sign to input your emergency contact. Click on the preferred contact on the list and input their relationship to you.
7. In order to remove or delete an emergency contact, simply tap on the red circle icon with a minus sign and select “Delete.”
8. Simply tap on “Done” to finish the setup.

If you live in the United States, you can also use the Health app to sign up as an organ donor. This is an easy and fast option for people who wish to register but do not know where or how. This is how you do it:

1. Start by opening the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the tab labeled “Summary.”
2. Once the “Summary” tab is open, click on your profile picture. This is located on the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Select “Organ Donation” under the category “Medical Details.”
4. A new page will load where you tap on “Sign Up with Donate Life.” This will lead you to the registration form.
5. Simply fill out the registration form with the correct information. After filling it out, tap on “Continue.”
6. This will prompt you to confirm your registration. Tap on “Complete Registration with Donate Life.”
7. Tap on “Done” and you have now registered to be an organ donor.

In case you change your mind about being an organ donor, you can also remove your registration at any time. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Start by opening the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap on the tab labeled “Summary.”
2. Once the “Summary” tab is open, tap on your profile picture. This is located on the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Tap on “Organ Donation” under the category “Medical Details.”
4. Select “Edit Donor Registration.”
5. A new page will load with all the information you entered upon registration. You can edit or update your information here if you wish. If you want to remove your registration, simply select “Remove Me.”
6. Click on “Update” and you have officially removed your registration to be an organ donor.

The Health app has a lot more useful features other than the ones mentioned above. It has also partnered with various medical institutions so you can add, view, and delete your health records in the app. During these times, having this app on hand and updated ensures that you know the current state of your health and that the people around you can give you the appropriate help when needed.

Related read: 7 iOS Health Apps to Whip You Into Shape