An E911 address, short for Enhanced 911 address, is the physical address associated with a phone number that is used to route emergency calls to the correct public safety answering point and help emergency services locate the caller quickly.
This address is especially important for VoIP and wireless phone services, where a caller’s location may not be automatically obvious to emergency responders, and it is also necessary to setup your Apple Watch and pair it to your iPhone.
Why Is It Important?
When you dial 911 from a landline, your exact address is automatically transmitted to emergency responders. However, with mobile phones, Apple Watches, and VoIP services (like home internet phone services or smartphone apps that use Wi-Fi calling), your location isn’t always tied to a fixed address. That’s where E911 comes in.
By registering a correct and up-to-date E911 address, you ensure that:
-
Your call is routed to the right emergency response center.
-
First responders are sent to the correct location, even if your device cannot transmit GPS data.
E911 and Mobile Phones
Modern mobile devices use location data—from GPS, nearby cell towers, and Wi-Fi networks—to provide a fairly accurate location when calling 911. However, if location services are turned off or unavailable, having an accurate E911 address on file with your mobile provider adds a critical layer of backup.
What Happens If You Don’t Set It?
Without a correct E911 address:
-
Your call might be routed to the wrong emergency center, delaying help.
-
Emergency responders might not know where to send help.
-
In some cases, your 911 call might fail altogether on certain VoIP services.
How to Update Your E911 Address
When pairing your watch, you will be prompted to set your e911 address as part of the setup process. You will also be able to return to your account online at redpocket.com/my-lines (or open your Apple Watch application on your phone) to reset the address.
Click here to learn more about pairing your Apple Watch.