Setting up SOS features only takes a minute, but can be vital in a crisis

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Google Pixel (and other stock Android devices)

With the release of Android 12, enabling Emergency SOS features is easier than ever. Once set up, quickly press the power button 5 times in quick succession to call emergency services or contact your your choice. By default, this will be your local emergency number (e.g. 911 for the US), but this can be changed to a personal contact if you prefer. You can also add medical information to your phone, to which medical professionals can easily access if you are unable to contact them in an emergency.

Google Pixel (and other stock Android devices)

Pixel phones run what many refer to as "stock" Android. Devices from Motorola, Nokia, Sony, and Asus run very similar software, so the steps in this section will also apply. For Samsung-specific advice, skip to One UI section. If your device is made by another manufacturer, try searching for “Emergency SOS” in the settings app and you should be able to find features similar to the ones below.

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Enable Emergency SOS Features

Open the Settings app on your Pixel Scroll down and tap Security & Emergency (On Android 11, this option is in the Advanced Settings menu) Tap Emergency SOS to begin setupImage gallery (2 images) The first time you land here, you may be greeted by a special setup wizard. If so, tap Start Setup and continue with these steps below. Otherwise, skip ahead to the Edit section your emergency SOS settings. If you want your phone to sound an alarm when your Emergency SOS is activated, select Play Alarm then tap Next You can now set up emergency calls. Tap Start to begin By default, your phone will select your phone number. local emergency. If you want to change this for one of your contacts, tap Change number. Once this has been set tap Next Assisted call will share your location and emergency details with the emergency services. now set up emergency contacts who will receive updates of your location when Emergency SOS is enabled. Tap Start Setup to begin, or tap Skip if you don't want to enable this feature, tap Add Contact and choose one of your friends or family members. Tap Next to finish setting up your emergency contact. Your phone can start recording video when Emergency SOS is activated. To activate it, tap Start setup, if not, tap Skip Tap Power on to continue setup or No thanks if you don't want to enable this feature, tap While using app on the popup (it needs this permission to work properly) Your emergency recording can be shared with your contacts if you select Share automatically after saving. If you don't want to share, select Don't share automatically. Tap Next when readyImage Gallery (2 images) Review your Emergency SOS settings, then press Done to complete setup

Change your Emergency SOS settings

The main Use Emergency SOS switch at the top can be used to turn all features on or off Image Gallery (2 images) Tower Play alarm sound enabled to ensure a loud sound will be played after triggering Emergency SOS – this is intended to alert anyone nearby who may be able to offer help Tap Call Emergency Services to change the number dialed when using Emergency SOS emergency. By default, this will be your local emergency number (e.g. 911 for US, 999 for UK, etc.) You can also toggle Use assisted calls here, which can send your location and contact information to emergency services if you cannot respond to themImage Gallery (2 images)The Share Information with Emergency Contacts section allows you to edit your emergency contacts and change the information that is shared with them when your decle nching Emergency SOS.Use the switches to decide whether it will notify your contacts: When you start and end phone calls When you start and end an emergency call When your phone battery is below 15% Your current location real-time (using location sharing in Google Maps) Finally, you can decide to Record emergency video — if you enable this option, a video will automatically be taken when you use emergency SOS. Auto Share option controls whether or not emergency video is shared with your emergency contacts automatically Image Gallery (2 images)

Add medical information to the lock screen

It is also possible to add medical information such as your blood type, allergies and medications to your Pixel so that it can be viewed from your lock screen by medical professionals. Remember that anyone can see this information without unlocking your phone, so don't add it if it makes you uncomfortable.

Head to the Safety and Emergency menu Tap on Medical Info (this may be called Emergency Info in some Android versions) and add as much detail as you want Image Gallery (2 images)

Samsung (one user interface)

There are some software differences between Samsung Galaxy phones and those running Android. The steps below explain how to use the Emergency SOS features on your Samsung device with the company's One UI skin.

Enable Emergency SOS Features

Open the Settings app Scroll down and tap Security & Emergency (On One UI 3 this option is in the Advanced Settings menu) Toggle the Send SOS messages to activate your emergency SOS messages You can change the number number of power key presses by pressing the appropriate option under the Press the power key heading You now need to decide which options to activate when Emergency SOS is activated. When the power key is pressed 3 or 4 times (depending on your setting), these actions can be configured to occur. Call someone automatically to set up your emergency phone number Attach photos to allow your phone to take both front and back photos Attach audio recording to record a 5-second audio recording Tap Send messages to choose your emergency contacts. Once the emergency SOS is activated, your phone will send your emergency message to these contacts

Add medical information and emergency contacts

When adding medical information and emergency contacts, remember that anyone can see this information without unlocking your phone.

Head to the Security & Emergency menu and tap Medical Info Add as many details as you want Go back to the Security & Emergency menu and tap Emergency Contacts Add friends or family members as emergency contacts pictures (2 pictures)

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About the Author

Jon Gilbert (2 articles published)

Jon's interest in Android phones started in 2013 and has been tinkering with them ever since. When he's not writing, he's probably testing the limits of his laptop's hardware or re-watching The Lord of the Rings .

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