With iOS 11, Apple has introduced a bunch of new features to the iPhone and iPad devices. One of those features is to allow users to make a quick call to emergency services where if you press the lock button five times in a row, you will be greeted by a screen that lets you power the device off or to call emergency services.
Presumably this is to allow quick access in emergency situations where unlocking your phone the normal way won’t work, or if there isn’t much time. However it seems that some users have decided to try the feature out for themselves, which in turn has resulted in the Toronto Police publishing a message on Twitter (via AppleInsider) asking these users to stop.
New iOS Operating System 911 feature
Please DO NOT try it out~Toronto Police receiving many test calls that tie up our 911 lines #iOS11 ^sk pic.twitter.com/hlFUCwGi8e— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) September 20, 2017
According to the tweet, many users have been testing out the feature, in which the police have reassured them that it works well, and in the process ended up tying up the phone lines for those who actually do have an emergency and are trying to reach them. This is not the first time we’re hearing of such incidents, so unless you have an actual emergency, maybe you shouldn’t try and test it out yourself.
Not to mention in most places, it is usually punishable when people call 911 and do not have an actual emergency.