Discover built-in tools and the Personal Safety app on Android that keep you connected, informed, and prepared for what life brings.

In a critical moment, every second counts. The Emergency SOS feature on Android is designed to trigger important actions, such as calling for help or sharing your location, so you get help quickly, even if you can’t unlock your phone or dial a number.

One-touch access to emergency services.

Pressing the power button five or more times activates Emergency SOS. This simple action can be set up to automatically call emergency services after a five-second countdown. Emergency Location Service helps first responders hone in on your device’s location. You can also set up your phone to start recording a video of the situation.

Your essential medical info, visible at a glance.

You can add important medical information—like your blood type, allergies and emergency contacts—directly to your phone’s lock screen. First responders can view this information without needing to unlock your phone, providing them with the vital details they need to help you receive care.

Share your whereabouts with Emergency Sharing.

With a few quick taps, the Emergency Sharing feature lets you send a message and your live location to some or all of your emergency contacts. It’s a simple way to let people know where you are when you need assistance. You can also share extra information like your battery percentage.

How to set up Emergency SOS on your Android Device.

Here’s how to turn on and set up the Emergency SOS feature so you can get the help you need at the right time:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android-powered device.
2. Tap Safety and Emergency, then Emergency SOS.
3. Tap Start setup to turn on this feature and change the settings. You can decide how to trigger Emergency SOS actions, add emergency contacts, allow location sharing and turn on emergency video recording tools. Learn more about setting up the Emergency SOS options.
4. When you’re finished, tap Done.

Note: Emergency SOS is available on Android 12 or later. It doesn’t work when Battery Saver or airplane mode is on.

What happens if I accidentally press the emergency SOS button on my Android device?

Emergency SOS has a built-in safeguard to avoid accidental emergency calls:

• You can change your settings to choose whether you need to touch and hold an icon on the screen or wait for a five-second countdown before the automatic actions begin. This means you can cancel the action before it connects to emergency services or alerts your contacts.
• Your Android device can also play an alarm when Emergency SOS is triggered, so you get a warning before an automatic call is made.

If you accidentally dial emergency services, you should stay on the line and tell the operator you don’t need help.

The Personal Safety app, available on select Android-powered devices¹, consolidates key safety tools in one convenient location. It’s there to give you control and confidence in everyday moments, whether you’re exploring a new trail, meeting someone for the first time or walking home after dark.

Schedule a Safety Check.

If you’re going for a late-night run, travelling in an unfamiliar neighborhood or taking a ride share, you can set a timer for your phone to check in with you. If you don’t respond to the Safety Check feature, your phone will automatically share your real-time location with your chosen emergency contacts. They’ll know where you are and that you may need help.

Stay informed with crisis and emergency alerts.

Crisis and emergency alerts are notifications about public emergencies and natural disasters, giving you the latest information when you need it most. The emergency alert systems help you automatically keep on top of what’s happening around you.

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): This is a public safety system that delivers important alerts from authorized government agencies directly to your phone. These special alerts are sent through a dedicated cell tower channel, so you can stay informed even when regular cell networks are clogged up. WEAs can include AMBER Alerts for missing children, extreme weather warnings for tornadoes or hurricanes, and other urgent public safety announcements.
• Earthquake Alert System: Your Android-powered device is part of the world’s largest earthquake detection network. Using the accelerometers built into phones, the Earthquake Alert System on Android can detect the initial waves of an earthquake. It then sends a warning to people in the area, often giving them precious seconds of notice before the more severe shaking begins. You can seek safety fast, then get tips on what to do after the earthquake.
• Crisis Alerts: The Personal Safety app can also provide notifications for public emergencies and local crises. These keep you informed about what is happening nearby, helping you stay out of harm’s way.

How to turn on emergency alerts on your Android-powered device.

Follow these steps to check and customize your emergency broadcast notification settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Select Wireless emergency alerts.
4. From here, you can select which alerts you want to receive, such as AMBER Alerts, threat notifications and disaster warnings.

How to turn on Crisis alerts:

Crisis alerts are turned on by default on your Android-powered device.

Here’s how to change your settings:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Safety & emergency.
3. Tap Crisis alerts.
4. Turn the alerts on or off.

How to get weather alerts on your Android phone:

These alerts can include events like natural disasters, hurricanes and earthquakes. Learn how to turn them on:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Safety & emergency.
3. Enable the alerts you want by toggling them on or off.

Here’s how to change your earthquake alert settings:

1. Open your device’s Settings app.
2. Tap Safety and emergency, then Earthquake alerts. Or choose Location, then Advanced and select Earthquake alerts.
3. Turn Earthquake alerts on or off.

Note: You must have Wi-Fi or data turned on to receive earthquake alerts.

Learn more about emergency phone alerts for Android and how to manage them.

Beyond the tools you manage yourself, your Android-powered device also works in the background to help support your safety.

Get help fast with car crash detection.

On Pixel 4a and later in supported countries, your phone can use its sensors, like the accelerometer and microphone, to detect if you have been in a severe car crash. If it detects a crash, your Pixel device will prompt you to ask if you need help. If you don’t respond, it will automatically attempt to call emergency services and share your device’s location.

Your shield against unwanted tracking.

To protect your privacy and personal safety, Android has a feature called Unknown Tracker Alerts. If an unknown Bluetooth tracking device or tag is detected traveling with you over time, you’ll get a notification so you can find and remove it.

Get support, even when you’re offline.

With Satellite SOS, your Pixel phone can connect via satellite when you don’t have Wi-Fi or mobile data, making it easier to share your location or contact emergency services. Find out how to use Satellite SOS on your Pixel 9 or above.

Your Android phone does more than keep you connected—it helps keep you safe. With tools like the Personal Safety app, Emergency SOS and alerts for crises, protection is built right in.

Take a few minutes to set up your Android device’s safety features to feel more prepared for what may come your way. And if you’re curious about what else is new, learn more about how Android continues to evolve with new features.

Footnotes

1. The Personal Safety app is available on some Android devices. The app will show as the Personal Safety app in Play Store and in Settings. But in your list of apps, it only shows as the Safety app. What you can do: On Android 12 and earlier, if the Personal Safety app is not installed on your phone: You can sign in with your Google Account, add emergency contacts and list medical information. When the Safety app is installed, you can use Emergency SOS, Emergency Sharing, Safety Check and crisis alerts. Learn more about how to use the Personal Safety app on Android.