This new iOS feature could save your life

The new SOS feature allows users to make emergency call by pressing power button five times

Apple is testing a new feature for iPhones that would allow users to make phone calls when they are in trouble.

The beta version of the upcoming iOS, previewed to developers on Tuesday, revealed a new SOS feature that allows users to make emergency call by simply pressing power button five times.

Once the feature is activated, it triggers a countdown and emits siren-like-noise. Once the timer reaches zero, the call will be connected to emergency services. Users have the option to cancel the call while countdown is still on to prevent accidental calls.



You can also choose to disable the feature in the main Settings app. The feature will be available in the US, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain and the UK, MacRumors reported.

Karissa Bell of Mashable tweeted, showing what the feature looks like:

🚨New "SOS" emergency calling feature in the latest iOS 10 beta 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lPRPfQfzYJ

— Karissa Bell (@karissabe) November 8, 2016

Although emergency calling from the lock screen has available on iPhone for years, the new SOS feature users an additional way to make a call should they get into trouble.



It is hard to say when Apple would roll out the feature for the general public. Currently, the SOS feature is available to developers who the iOS 10.2 Beta 2 update installed. It is expected that to its way to the public iOS beta before eventually becoming part of an official iOS 10 update.

This article originally appeared on Mashable 

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