16 smartphone apps for (nearly) any emergency

In an emergency, your smartphone can be your lifeline. We're talking more than just dialing 911. Many applications can help when you get lost, need first aid, fall into potentially dangerous situations, or even face natural disasters. We’ve picked 16 potentially life-saving apps – download them now so you can use them whenever you need them.

When you get lost

Our mobile phone comes with a map application that records our location in real time as we roam the earth. But even if you rely on Apple Maps or Google Maps, they don't always prevent you from getting lost. So you can add some other apps to help users find their way.

Here WeGo (for Android and iOS, free) provides a good alternative to Google Maps or Apple Maps. This is a great option if you are traveling abroad as it allows you to download maps in advance so they can be used even without an internet connection. It excels at providing direction-by-turn navigation when you walk or drive, and it also includes price details when you want to take a taxi or public transportation.

Citymapper (for Android and iOS, free) Like Here WeGo, it provides features you can find in Google and Apple's native maps apps. However, it also offers some extra features that make it easier for you to navigate public transport without getting lost. For example, when you wait for a ride, it updates the location of your bus or train in real time, and once you get on the bus, the app will alert you when your site is approaching.

Google Translation (for Android and iOS, free) is still the best choice for you to be understood in an unfamiliar environment. After all, perhaps the best way to get route instructions is to ask. This app allows you to enter text or use your phone’s camera to scan road and direction signs and then receive written text or a translation read aloud. Just remember to cache the languages ​​you need in advance so that you can access them offline later.

Gaia GPS ($20 per year for Android and iOS) is a great choice for those planning to leave the city for a hike. You can download all its high-quality topology, satellite and road maps for offline use, and you can view crowdsourcing hiking routes from your user community. Finally, the smart route planning tool will help you find the best route from A to B to ensure you get home safely.

When first aid is needed

Your phone can't perform CPR for you, but if someone needs medical assistance, it can tell you what to do. Of course, your first move should be to call 911 and ask for advice from professionals. Then, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, these apps can help—even if you don’t have phone service.

First Aid: American Red Cross (for Android and iOS, free) contains basic advice for almost every medical emergency situation you may encounter. It is also important that it puts this information into step-by-step guides and videos for clarity and comprehension. Additionally, all content works fine without an internet connection.

St John's Ambulance First Aid (for Android and iOS, free) is another reputable, well-designed first aid app. It covers everything from choking and drowning to colds and allergic reactions. Step-by-step instructions and voice commands ensure you follow the correct procedures.

WebMD (for Android and iOS, free) shows you useful information about diseases, symptoms, treatments, and other health topics. For first aid, it has a neatly arranged section that can also work offline. If you prefer to consult a professional, the app can also guide you to the nearest doctor.

Offline Survival Manual (for Android, free) will protect you in the vast outdoors. It provides excellent first aid information on topics such as bites, stings, and environmental damage. In addition, to prevent these injuries from happening, it also provides advice on staying safe, finding shelter, creating fires, etc. This app is only available for Android, but if you want a comparable alternative for iPhone, try SAS Survival Guide (for iOS, $6).

When you want to send a distress signal

When you visit a new place alone, or have a first date with a relatively stranger, you will feel safer if you know a trusted friend knows your plan – just in case. If you suspect you are in danger, these apps will help you send digital distress signals. Again, we always recommend that you try to contact the official emergency services before taking any other action, but if you need a backup, try one of the following really useful options.

Life360 (for Android and iOS, free) is an all-in-one tracking system that allows users to keep an eye on where their loved ones are. This tracking feature runs in the background, but if you need help, you can send an alert to your friends and family telling them something is wrong. The company also offers a $3 monthly paid version of this system, which offers longer location history and additional alerts.

Kitestring (free on the web) is a service (it's not an app, but it does work via text messages), and you can use it if you're worried that you might be heading for danger. You set a time when you want the Kitestring check, and it will text you. If you don't reply to a Kitestring message, it alerts the pre-selected contact so that the person can check you.

React Mobile (for Android and iOS, free) can help you deal with a variety of situations, from slightly uncomfortable to very dangerous. First, you add a series of trusted contacts to the app. You can then click the Follow me button to invite them to follow your GPS location so they can make sure you get home safely. If you are in danger, you can click the Help Me button to remind your friends and make an emergency service call. The app can also be used with physical buttons on the $70 Bluetooth enabled palette. Hardware can be expensive, but some people find it easier or more cautious to press down the pendant than unlocking and fiddling with the phone.

Noonlight ($3 per month for Android and iOS) provides you with a straight line contact with a "qualified dispatcher" who can assist you or contact the police. It works on a variety of devices, including smart speakers and wearables, so you can alert dispatchers via buttons on your phone, voice commands to Amazon Echo, motion alerts on your smart security camera, and other sources.

When facing natural disasters

Depending on where you live, you may need to deal with hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters regularly. If you live or travel in areas where these events occur frequently, you should prepare one of the emergency applications.

Earthquake: American Red Cross (for Android and iOS, free) full attention, as its name suggests, earthquakes. It will allow you to receive alerts about affected areas, track dangers on the map, and read basic advice on how to act in the face of an ongoing natural disaster. The Red Cross also makes similar applications for tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods, so you can find the perfect option for your specific situation.

Weather Underground (for Android and iOS, free) is good at providing inclement weather alerts in advance. Get notifications about an upcoming storm or tornado and then consult a detailed forecast and radar map to see when the danger passes – and where you can stay safe until then. You can also pay a subscription fee of $2 per year, which will remove all ads.

FEMA (for Android and iOS, free) comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, so you can trust the information it provides. This information includes weather warnings, safety tips, shelter locations, and contact information for FEMA agents. The app also allows you to upload photos of what is going on in your area, which can help first responders.

Zello (for Android and iOS, free) turns your phone into a walkie-talkie. This is ideal when regular phone lines are blocked or completely interrupted. With Zello, you can stay in touch with friends and family as long as you have any type of internet connection—whether it’s Wi-Fi or cellular—you can stay connected with friends and family.

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