Emergency Protocol iPhone Shortcut
Setup Guide + Critical Limitations
If your phone is the only witness you have, it needs to know exactly what to do.
This shortcut creates a complete emergency protocol: audio recording, location sharing, pre-written messages to trusted contacts, and phone lockdown - all automatic.
Let’s get into it.
Here’s What This Does
This iPhone shortcut is for police stops or emergencies.
Below is the full shortcut setup. Each screenshot shows one step in the automation.
When you trigger it, your phone automatically: sends your exact location to trusted contacts with a pre-written message, dims your screen, locks your phone to emergency-only mode, and starts recording audio.
And, once the recording is stopped, your phone locks.
Note: I created an Emergency Only Focus Mode that only shows one page from my home screen options. this is linked to a screen that has no apps except for my phone, and a couple of links to turn my flashlight on or off.
This is a documentation tool. Not legal protection. Not a substitute for an attorney. Just documentation.
A note with a link to your location gets created, and the audio recording is attached to the same note after:
Now let’s talk about what could go wrong.
Critical Limitations You Need to Know
Storage Will Stop You
Recording stops when your phone runs out of storage. If you’ve got a ton of apps you haven’t used in two years and 10,000 photos, this could fail at the worst possible moment. Audio files can be massive. Check your storage before road trips.
Battery Is Not Negotiable
If you’re at 12% when this triggers, your phone might die mid-recording. Keep your phone charged, especially when traveling.
Recording Laws Could Get You In Trouble
Know your local laws before you use this.
Some states require two-party consent to record conversations.
If you’re in one of those states and you record someone without their consent, you could face legal consequences. This shortcut is designed to document YOUR experience and YOUR location - not to secretly record other people.
Background Recording Isn’t Guaranteed
If your screen locks, recording might pause depending on your iOS version. This is why testing matters.
You Must Test First. Here’s How
Do not skip this. I’m serious.
You will be prompted to allow Shortcuts, Notes, or other apps access to the data that is being processes. Click “Always Allow” to avoid having a random screen pop up and stop your shortcut when you need it to run.
Test 1: Solo Run (10 minutes)
Activate the shortcut
Let it record for 10 minutes
Check that all permissions triggered
Verify audio saved to iCloud Drive
Make sure you actually have the recording file
Test 2: Friend Test (5 minutes)
Send to a trusted contact
Confirm they receive the text, location link, and “sent automatically” note
Check the audio quality
Make sure the Maps URL actually works
Test 3: Storage Stress Test
Run this when your phone is at 50% storage
See what happens when space gets tight
Better to find out now than later
Why does this matter? Because permission errors during an actual emergency mean total failure. Test twice. Then forget it exists until you need it.
Legal Disclaimer
This is not legal advice. I’m not a lawyer. This does not replace legal representation. This creates documentation, not protection. Technology cannot solve systemic problems. But documentation matters.
If you need an attorney, get one. This is just a tool.
Download
Download the shortcut here:
Test it twice.
Know your state’s recording laws.
Check your storage.
Keep your phone charged.
Then forget it exists until the day it saves you.
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How did you create the emergency focus portion? That just has the essential applications
Hello, it makes me have to click OK after the “right to remain silent” speech, and then it makes me unlock my phone before recording begins (I set it to immediately). Is there a way around this? Thank you!