Open the Health app and find your Medical ID card
Your Medical ID lives in the Health app on your iPhone, not in a separate medical app. Open Health, then tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner — it looks like a silhouette of a person. Scroll down and tap "Medical ID" to see what information you've already entered.
If you haven't created a Medical ID yet, you'll see a button to add one. Tap it, then tap "Create Medical ID" to start. Either way, you'll land on the same screen where you can add or change information.
Key Takeaways
- Your Medical ID is stored in the Health app under your profile, not in a separate medical process.
- You can edit your Medical ID anytime by opening Health, tapping your profile icon, and selecting Medical ID.
- Medical ID information appears on your lock screen when you tap "Emergency SOS" or hold the side button, even if your phone is locked.
- Include emergency contacts, allergies, medications, and medical conditions — anything a paramedic or hospital staff would need to know when ready.
- Your Medical ID is only visible to emergency responders and people you authorize; it's not shared with apps or advertisers.
What information to add to your Medical ID
Start with the sections that matter most in an emergency. Add your emergency contacts — the people paramedics should call. Include their relationship to you (mother, spouse, friend) and their phone number. You can add up to five contacts.
Next, list any allergies — food, medication, or environmental. Then add medications you take regularly, including the name and dosage. Add any medical conditions that responders should know about: diabetes, heart disease, asthma, seizure disorder, or anything else that affects how they treat you.
You can also add your blood type, organ donor status, and any medical notes. The notes field is useful for things like "uses hearing aids" or "cannot take NSAIDs" — details that don't fit neatly into other sections.
Edit or delete information you've already entered
Open Health, tap your profile icon, then tap "Medical ID." Tap "Edit" in the top right. Now you can change any field by tapping it and typing new information.
To remove something entirely, tap the field, delete the text, then tap "Done." To delete an entire section (like removing an emergency contact), tap the minus sign next to that contact's name, then tap "Delete."
When you're finished making changes, tap "Done" in the top right. Your Medical ID updates when ready — there's no save button or confirmation screen.
Add or remove emergency contacts
In the Medical ID edit screen, scroll to the "Emergency Contacts" section. Tap the plus sign to add a new contact. Type their name, relationship, and phone number. You don't need to use contacts already in your phone — you can type in a number that only appears in your Medical ID.
To change an existing contact, tap their name or number and edit it. To remove a contact, tap the minus sign next to their name, then tap "Delete." Emergency responders will see these contacts when they access your Medical ID from the lock screen.
Control who can see your Medical ID without unlocking your phone
By default, anyone who presses Emergency SOS or holds the side button on your lock screen can see your Medical ID without entering your passcode. This is intentional — paramedics need this information fast, and they won't have your password.
If you want to require your passcode before someone can view your Medical ID, open Health, tap your profile icon, tap "Medical ID," then tap "Edit." Scroll to the bottom and toggle off "Show on Lock Screen." Now your Medical ID will only appear to people who unlock your phone.
Most people leave this setting on. The benefit of paramedics seeing your allergies and conditions when ready outweighs the small risk that someone else might see it.
Make sure your Medical ID is visible in an emergency
Test that your Medical ID appears correctly by locking your phone, then pressing the Emergency SOS button (hold the side button and one volume button together). A screen will appear with Emergency SOS at the top and Medical ID at the bottom. Tap "Medical ID" to see what responders will see.
If your Medical ID doesn't appear, go back to Health, check your profile, and make sure you've tapped "Done" after editing. If you see it but information is missing, open Health again and add what you left out.
You can also access your Medical ID by unlocking your phone, opening Health, tapping your profile icon, and selecting Medical ID. This view is the same information responders see, so use it to double-check that everything is correct and current.
Update your Medical ID when your health changes
If you start taking a new medication, develop a new allergy, or have a significant health change, update your Medical ID right away. Open Health, tap your profile icon, tap "Medical ID," tap "Edit," and add the new information. This takes less than a minute.
If you move or change your phone number, update your emergency contacts in Medical ID as well as in your regular Contacts app. If you change emergency contacts — for example, if you move and want a local person listed first — edit Medical ID to reflect that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit my Medical ID on a Mac or iPad?
No. Medical ID is only available in the Health app on iPhone. If you have an Apple Watch, you can view your Medical ID on the watch, but you must edit it on your iPhone. Changes made on your iPhone sync to your watch automatically.
What happens if I don't have a passcode on my iPhone?
Your Medical ID will still appear on the lock screen when someone presses Emergency SOS. Without a passcode, your phone is already unlocked, so there's no additional security step. Set a passcode if you haven't already — it protects your data and your Medical ID.
Can I share my Medical ID with my doctor or family?
No. Medical ID is private to your phone and only visible to emergency responders or people who unlock your phone. You cannot share it directly from the Health app. If you want your doctor or family to know your medical information, you'll need to tell them separately or share a screenshot.
Will my Medical ID information be sent to Apple or anyone else?
No. Your Medical ID stays on your phone. It is not sent to Apple, your carrier, or any app. It only appears when someone accesses the lock screen emergency features or when you view it yourself in the Health app.
What if I'm unconscious and my phone is locked?
A paramedic can press the Emergency SOS button (or hold the side button and volume button) to access your Medical ID without your passcode. This is why it's important to keep your Medical ID updated — responders will see it when ready, even if you cannot tell them anything.