One of the lesser known — but potentially most important — features of Apple’s newly released iOS 8 mobile operating system is a digital “Medical ID,” which can provide important personal health related information in the event of an emergency.
The Medical ID feature is built in to the new Health application found in iOS 8 for iPhone. Users can configure it by launching Health, tapping the Medical ID menu in the bottom right, and then choosing “Create Medical ID.”
iPhone users with a passcode-locked handset can consider enabling the “Show When Locked” function, providing first responders or anyone else with emergency access to their Medical ID. Enabling this feature allows the Medical ID to be viewed by swiping the lock screen, tapping “Emergency,” and then viewing the digital information.
After the Medical ID has been created, users can always go back and make changes at any time through the Health app.
Medical ID is just one function of the new Health application in iOS 8, which aims to become a centralized repository for all of a user’s health information, whether input manually or automatically collected through iPhone accessories.
