SOS on your watch face: add Apple Watch shortcuts
Complications put SOS and All OK on the watch face. A tap starts a countdown, not an instant send.
Add a complication
Install and connect My Safe Circle on Watch. Touch and hold the watch face, tap Edit, choose a complication slot and select My Safe Circle SOS or All OK. You can also edit the face in the iPhone Watch app. Available slots vary by face and watchOS version.
What a tap does
The complication starts the action countdown: 5 seconds for SOS, 3 for All OK. Tap the screen to cancel before it ends. It uses the previously chosen recipients and Watch location setting; it cannot add text.
Test safely
Agree an All OK test and check the result. Choose a less exposed slot if you often touch your watch face during activity. Sending still requires a Watch network connection.
If the shortcut fails
Open My Safe Circle on Watch and check connectivity, account and recipients. Call emergency services for immediate danger.
Check recipients
SOS and All OK can have different recipients. Review them in the iPhone app before relying on the wrist shortcut.
Interpret the result
A send result does not prove that everyone read the signal or can respond. Agree a call-back plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does it send immediately?
No. The countdown starts immediately, but you can cancel it.
Can I choose recipients from the complication?
No. Set them in the iPhone app first.
Interpret the result?
A send result does not prove that everyone read the signal or can respond. Agree a call-back plan.
Sources consulted
Technical and safety information was checked against the following official sources.
- Apple Support: Apple Watch without iPhone nearby
- Apple Support: watch-face complications
- My Safe Circle: features and limits
Guide by the My Safe Circle team, written from the app manual and checked on September 30, 2026 against the listed sources.
Apple Watch guide
My Safe Circle on Apple Watch
Set up a signal from your wrist.
Explore My Safe CircleMy Safe Circle helps contact trusted people. It is not an emergency dispatch centre and cannot guarantee delivery, reading or intervention. For immediate danger, call your local emergency number.