Incorrect accident detection in the snow: iOS update should fix the problem
In the current ski season, rescue services are reporting an increasing number of call-outs due to unwanted emergency calls. These come from ski fans who are travelling with the latest Apple Watch and iPhone models. An iOS update is now set to improve accident detection.
Automatic accident detection was announced by Apple as a major innovation in autumn 2022. At that time, the iPhone 14 was unveiled. At the beginning of the ski season, it became apparent that the function automatically triggered an emergency call for some skiers. Snowboarders were equally affected. Apparently, the sensors in the Apple devices recognised certain movements, for example a rather banal fall into the snow, as a car accident. Abrupt manoeuvres were also sometimes classified as accidents. This triggered the process that sends an alarm to the emergency services in such cases.
As a result, ski resorts in the USA, but also those in Switzerland and in Austria reported an increase in automatically generated emergency calls. The reason for this: although skiers could have cancelled the emergency call sequence that was starting, they did not notice the vibration or the acoustic signals that are emitted for ten seconds before the emergency call is actually made. Either because they didn't hear it in a noisy environment or because they didn't feel the vibration due to their clothing while skiing.
The update to iOS 16.3.1 is said to have fixed the problem, according to Apple. The description mentions the "optimised accident detection" on iPhone models 14 and 14 Pro. If you do not trust the accident detection despite the update, you can deactivate it in the iPhone settings. It can be found under "Emergency SOS". Here you can switch off "Call after serious accident".
Cover image: Volker Meyer / Pexels
Journalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.