Please don't wreck your car to test iPhone 14's crash detection

Don't try this at home... or on the streets.
 By 
Cecily Mauran
 on 
A woman looking at iPhone 14 crash detection in the driver's of a car
It works. Just take these YouTubers word for it. Credit: Mashable composite; Apple, Shutterstock / Farknot Architect

Apple sincerely hopes you never have to use the new iPhone 14 line's crash detection feature, but these YouTubers couldn't resist (crash) testing it out.

YouTube channel TechRax got its hands on some junkyard cars, went out into a field, and started crashing away — in a controlled, safe environment, of course, as the video is quick to point out.

TechRax rigged an old, pale blue sedan to a remote control device, so they could control the car without anyone steering in the driver seat and attached an iPhone 14 Pro to the driver's headrest. Then, they hit the gas in the direction of a pile of junk cars.


You May Also Like

After a few seconds of delay, the iPhone 14 showed a screen saying: "It looks like you've been in a crash, iPhone will trigger Emergency SOS if you don't respond." After a few more seconds, the iPhone went into Emergency SOS mode, which triggers an alarm and starts a 10-second countdown to place an emergency call, unless the crash detection feature is canceled.

crash detection enabled in iPhone 14
Kind of a relief to see that it works. Credit: TechRax / Apple

To make sure their test was conclusive, TechRax simulated a second car crash, which deployed the airbags this time and crumpled the front of the car. Again, the Emergency SOS feature turned on.

So there you have it — crash detection works. But don't get any ideas. TechRax did it so you don't have to.

Topics Apple iPhone

Mashable Image
Cecily Mauran
Tech Reporter

Cecily is a tech reporter at Mashable who covers AI, Apple, and emerging tech trends. Before getting her master's degree at Columbia Journalism School, she spent several years working with startups and social impact businesses for Unreasonable Group and B Lab. Before that, she co-founded a startup consulting business for emerging entrepreneurial hubs in South America, Europe, and Asia. You can find her on X at @cecily_mauran.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
TikTok is rolling out a new age-detection system in the EU
TikTok logo

Score a free Apple iPhone 17e from T-Mobile — how to claim your free iPhone this weekend
the apple iphone 17e in several colorways in a row, overlapping each other in front of a green background

Comparing iPhone 17e vs. iPhone 17: Is the new $599 phone good enough?
iphone 17 and 17e on blue background


Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal livestream: Watch the rocket test live
NASA preparing the SLS for Artemis 2

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!