SOS signal with your phone's screen and torch

When to use it

If you are trapped, injured or cut off and rescuers may be nearby, a visible and audible signal helps them find you. Always call 999 first if you have any signal.

What it does

• Screen: flashes SOS in Morse code (three short, three long, three short) across the whole screen and keeps the screen awake.
• Torch: flashes the same pattern with your phone's torch on Android phones using Chrome; the phone asks for camera permission, because that is how a web page reaches the torch. Nothing is recorded.
• Whistle tone: a loud, high tone in the same rhythm. Keep the phone away from your ear.

The flashing stays under three flashes a second. If flashing lights affect you or someone nearby, use the sound only.

Without internet

Open this page once and add it to your home screen: it then works offline, like an app.

Save your battery

Signalling uses a lot of power. Signal in bursts when you hear or see rescuers, and keep the rest of the battery for calls and texts. A real whistle and torch in your emergency kit do the same job without draining the phone.