iPhone 14 Has Car Crash Detection, but There Are Other Options
The latest iPhone 14 and Apple Watch can call for help if you've been in a car crash, but so can many cars, apps, and Android phones
Car crash detection on the iPhone 14
By Keith Barry
Apple made headlines when it announced that its latest iPhone 14 and Watch Series 8 would be able to detect car crashes and alert first responders.
But CR’s experts say you don’t have to spend hundreds for a new phone or smartwatch to get a similar benefit, which could already be built into your car or available from your insurance company or a third-party app.
“Automatic crash notification can save lives by significantly reducing response time, especially if a driver is unconscious or unable to dial for help themselves,” says Alex Knizek, an automotive engineer at Consumer Reports. “But many drivers may already have these features on their phone or car and may not realize it.”
Apple says the new feature, which it calls Crash Detection, will take advantage of the iPhone 14’s features including:
• an updated gyroscope and accelerometer, which can sense the forces of a severe crash;
• a barometer that can detect pressure changes when airbags deploy;
• a GPS speed sensor that can show rapid deceleration; and
• a microphone that can recognize the sounds typical of a car crash.
The phone will feed all of these inputs into a new crash detection algorithm that’s based on real-world crash data, and call 911 if it detects a crash. The Apple Watch Series 8 uses the smartwatch’s built-in gyroscope and accelerometer paired with the iPhone’s barometer, microphone, and GPS. The new watch and iPhone have a release date of Sept. 16.
Other Options
But if you’re an Android fan or don’t want to shell out $999 for a new iPhone or $399 for a smartwatch, there are other options. Consumer Reports hasn’t evaluated the iPhone detection feature or any of the options below:
• Google option: Crash notification has been available on the Google Pixel’s built-in Safety app since 2019, starting with the Pixel 3. Google has already used real-world stories about the feature in its advertising campaigns.
• On your vehicle: If you drive a newer vehicle, there’s a good chance that it already has a similar crash notification feature built in. OnStar is the most well-known, but nearly all new vehicles have a similar system. Many of them require a monthly fee, but others—including those from Audi, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo—don’t. “Most other automakers offer trial periods ranging from a month to a few years,” Knizek says. In addition, many automakers relied on now-defunct 3G cellular networks for their crash notification systems, so they may be inactive—even on cars made as recently as 2019. You can check to see if your car’s crash notification still works or if it needs an upgrade.
• Apps: Some insurance companies, including Farmers, Progressive, and USAA, offer free smartphone apps that can call for help if they detect you’ve been in a crash. These apps may also track your location and driving behavior, so be sure to check what you’re signing up for.
• Third-party services: There are a bunch of third-party crash notification services out there, including Hum, Life360, OnStar Guardian, OpenRoad, and RapidSOS. Many of these require a monthly fee, and some are bundled with other services. A few rely on a phone app, while others plug into your car’s computer system directly. Consumer Reports hasn’t tested any of them to see how well they work, but Knizek says that they may have an advantage by design. “Most crash notification services built into your car will contact an automaker’s call center first, which takes additional time,” he says. “Phone-based systems typically dial 911 directly, which reduces response time.”
Apple's Auto Push
Crash Detection is the latest example of Apple’s push into the automotive space. Many cars from the past few model years have already benefited from Apple CarPlay integrating iPhones into the infotainment screen, allowing a few common functions, such as navigation and music apps (Waze and Spotify for example), to be operated through that built-in screen. The next-generation CarPlay, coming with the IOS 16 system update this fall, will allow the phone to be more deeply integrated and expand its reach to the gauge cluster on compatible models.
Brands that will be compatible with this upgrade include Acura, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, among others.
Ultimately, Knizek says, even those who don’t own Apple products will benefit from the tech giant’s implementation of Crash Detection, because it will help draw attention to the feature.
“Even people who aren’t in the market for a new phone may hear about the feature just because Apple is attached to it, and will be interested in finding out if a similar service is available to them,” he says.
More from Consumer Reports:
Top pick tires for 2016
Best used cars for $25,000 and less
7 best mattresses for couples
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
