With the latest Apple Watch Series 8, Watch SE 2, and Watch Ultra, Apple has introduced a brand new feature called Crash Detection. When turned on, it can automatically detect if you’re involved in a car crash and call emergency services. In this article let’s see what is Car Crash Detection on Apple Watch, how it works, and the steps to enable it. We’ll also compare it to Fall Detection.
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What is Car Crash Detection on Apple Watch?
Apple Watch Crash Detection can detect if you indulge in a car crash or accident. After a crash is detected, the watch will tap (vibrate) on your wrist and show an Emergency SOS slider on the screen. If you do not respond for 20 seconds, it will automatically call emergency services with the required information.
It also alerts emergency contacts that you had a car crash with your location. And if you have added your Medical ID, the watch will show a Medical ID slider on the screen for any emergency responder to see your medical details.
Apple Watch Models that Support Crash Detection
The following Apple Watch models support Car Crash Detection:
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch SE 2nd Generation
How Does Crash Detection Work on Apple Watch?
Apple has added new motion sensors, an improved 3-axis gyroscope, and a high g-force accelerometer. Apple claims that it can detect the extreme impact of a crash up to 246g force.
These sensors can detect motions up to 4x faster than the previous models which allow the latest Apple Watch models to sense the impact more precisely.
Apple has developed an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm that works with the gyroscope and accelerometer for accurate Crash Detection. Also, the Apple Watch compares the data with the simulated crash tests done by Apple for better accuracy in detecting an actual crash.
How to Enable Crash Detection on Your Apple Watch
Crash Detection comes enabled by default on the Apple Watch and doesn’t require any additional setup. But if you have accidentally disabled it, here’s how to enable it:
Step 1: Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
Step 2: Scroll down and select Settings.
Step 3: Click on SOS and select Crash Detection.
Step 4: Turn on the Call After Severe Crash toggle.
How to Disable Crash Detection on Your Apple Watch
Here’s how you can disable Crash Detection on your Apple Watch:
Step 1: Press the crown button on your watch.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on Settings.
Step 3: Select the SOS option and click on Crash Detection.
Step 4: Turn off the Call After Severe Crash toggle.
Crash Detection on Apple Watch vs. iPhone
Crash Detection is available on the latest Apple Watch models as well as iPhones. The new iPhone 14-series has a high-dynamic gyroscope and a new dual-core accelerometer, whereas the Apple Watch has an improved 3-axis gyroscope and a high g-force accelerometer. Like the Apple Watch, the latest iPhones can also detect up to 256g force impact.
Both Apple Watch and iPhone can detect crashes accurately. But Apple says, if you have both the latest Apple Watch and the latest iPhone, the Crash Detection feature will work seamlessly to get emergency help. And this is very factual because the Apple Watch needs a cellular or WiFi connection to call emergency services.
Crash Detection vs. Fall Detection
Crash detection can detect if you had a car crash with the help of new advanced gyroscope and accelerometer sensors on the latest Apple Watch. Whereas, Fall Detection detects if you have fallen on the ground or had a hard fall.
After these features detect a crash or fall, the watch automatically calls emergency services and alerts the emergency contacts. Fall Detection is available on the Apple Watch since 2018. Till now, there are many documented cases wherein the feature has saved people’s lives.
Fall Detection is available on all the Apple Watch models introduced after Series 4, while Crash Detection is a new feature that is only available in the latest models including Series 8, Watch Ultra, and the Watch SE 2nd Generation.
Apple Watch Crash Detection: FAQ
We have answered some of the most common questions that you may have in your mind regarding Crash Detection on the Apple Watch below:
Q. Which Type of Accidents Can Crash Detection identify?
Crash detection on the Apple Watch can identify several car crashes including front-impact, side-impact, rear-end collisions, and rollovers.
Q. Which Cars Support Crash Detection?
Crash detection on the Apple Watch works in different types of vehicles including sedans, minivans, SUVs, pickup trucks, and other passenger cars.
Q. Does Apple Watch Crash Detection Detects Crashes on Two-wheelers or Bikes?
Crash Detection on the Apple Watch is primarily meant to detect car crashes. It may or may not come into play when riding a motorcycle. Crashing upon a bike has different dynamics when compared to an enclosed vehicle like a car.
Q. Crash Detection on Apple Watch Older Models?
Unfortunately, the Crash Detection feature cannot be available in older models. The reason behind this is the advanced sensors and motion sensors on the latest Apple Watch models. It is not a software feature but more a hardware feature that needs these sensors to work accurately.
Q. Does Apple Watch Crash Detection Works without Cellular?
Yes, the Apple Watch Crash Detection can work without the cellular network. But, it should be connected to WiFi or your iPhone to call emergency services after a crash is detected.
Q. Is Apple Crash Detection Privacy-friendly?
Crash detection on the Apple Watch collects sensor data and sounds from the microphone. All the data is stored locally on the device and is discarded after a crash is detected. It will only share data with Apple if you agree to share to improve Crash Detection. And even then, raw audio files aren’t shared.
Q. Is Apple Watch Crash Detection Reliable?
Crash detection is a new feature on the latest Apple Watch models. As of yet, there aren’t any real-life incidents showcasing its reliability. But, seeing the previous cases of Fall Detection and how rigorously Apple develops new features, we expect it to work reliably well.
Q. Does Apple Charge Any Fee for Crash Detection?
The Car Crash Detection feature is completely free to use. Unlike Satellite Connectivity, Apple does not charge anything for this feature.
Wrapping Up
This was all about the Crash Detection feature on Apple Watch, including Apple Watch models that support it, steps to enable it, and how it is different from Fall Detection. Anyways, what are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below, and stay tuned with WearablesToUse for more informative articles!
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