Text to 911

Call if you can, text if you can't!

As of March 31, 2022, all counties have the capability of receiving 911 text messages:

 

List Of Counties That Can Currently Text 911

Q&A

As of 2017, six mobile service providers have taken the necessary steps to allow you to text 911 on your mobile phone in Utah: AT&T, i-Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. As the equipment in each 911 call center is adjusted to enable the receipt of texts, customers of these carriers can use the feature within a matter of days.

Text-to-911 is a new service. As 911 call centers update their systems, it is likely to become available in more places, through more providers.

Using Text-to-911 in an emergency might be helpful if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, or if making a voice call to 911 might be dangerous or not possible. However, if you are able to make a voice call to 911 and it is safe to do so, you should call instead of sending a text. Voice calls are usually the fastest, most efficient way to reach emergency help.

No. Texting 911 is different than making a voice call. When you call 911 from a mobile phone, the call center will usually receive your phone number and your approximate location automatically. But if you text 911, the call taker may not receive your phone number or location. So regardless if you text or call 911, it's best to provide a correct address or location as quickly as possible.

Yes. While all wireless phones have the capability to dial 911 regardless if that phone is active on a network, you can only send a text to 911 if you use a cell phone that has an active texting plan. Your mobile carrier’s regular texting rates will apply.

Simply type "911" in the "To" field of a new text message. Be sure to provide your location as soon as possible, along with a short description of the emergency. Use simple words and no abbreviations. Do not try to text while driving. Do not try to send a text to 911 that is part of a group text.

This functionality will be coming in the future, but is not available to date.

If you attempt to send a text to 911 where that service is not available or your phone is in "roaming" status, you should receive a "bounce-back" message informing you that the service is unavailable.