How to set up Emergency SOS on your Android phone (2024)

Although it's not one of the fancy features, settings up Emergency SOS features should be high on the priority list on your new budget Android phone. While the exact array of features varies between manufacturers, Emergency SOS provides a way to call your emergency contact without doing much more than pressing your power button a few times.

Whether you are in an accidental crash, have a robbery at home, or are stuck in an undesirable situation in an unknown location, the built-in Emergency SOS features can come in handy to avoid fatal outcomes.

How to set up Emergency SOS on Android 12 and Android 13

The OS on Google Pixel phones isn't stock Android anymore, but it's as close as you'll get. Most Android manufacturers use similar software, so these instructions should work whether you have a Motorola, Nokia, Sony, or Asus phone. But if you're struggling to find the Emergency SOS settings, search for "Emergency SOS" in your Settings app's search bar. The first result should take you to the page for adjusting SOS settings. Follow the rest of this guide from then on.

Add emergency contacts

Activating Emergency SOS requires you to save at least one emergency contact to your phone. You'll need to do this before anything else.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Safety & emergency. This menu can be found in the Advanced Settings menu on earlier versions of Android (Android 11 and earlier).

   

   

3. Tap Emergency contacts.
4. Tap Add contact.
5. Select emergency contacts from your contact list. If you wish to add someone who isn't on your contacts list, add them through the Contacts app first.

   

   

After adding your emergency contacts, you're ready to turn on Emergency SOS features. While most of these are optional, we recommend enabling them all. They won't interfere with your phone and give you peace of mind.

How to turn on Emergency SOS features

Emergency SOS has two features enabled by default, and both activate when the SOS is triggered. The first triggers a loud alarm, and the second calls the emergency services. Features like car crash detection and location sharing must be activated separately.

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Scroll down and tap Safety & Emergency. On earlier versions of Android, the Safety & Emergency menu can be found in the Advanced Settings menu.

   

   

3. Tap Emergency SOS.
4. Toggle the Use Emergency SOS slider.

   

   

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If you're in trouble, you'll want your emergency contacts to know your status at all times. Emergency SOS sends updates about your current location, battery status, and when you start and end a phone call to your contacts.

1. On the Emergency SOS menu, tap Share info with emergency contacts.
2. Tap Next to begin setup.
3. If you haven't created any emergency contacts, tap Add contact to create some. Tap Next after adding your contacts.

   

   

4. Toggle the switches to choose what information you want to share. To share only your location, tap Skip.
5. Tap Next to set location permission to Allow all the time in Google Maps.

   

   

6. You are returned to the Emergency SOS menu.
7. Toggle the Share info with emergency contacts slider.

Record an emergency video

When Emergency SOS is triggered, your phone can record a video with your front and rear cameras for up to 45 minutes. You can still use your phone during the recording. After the recording is finished, it is backed up to your Google account via Google Drive.

1. On the Emergency SOS menu, tap Record emergency video.
2. Toggle the Record emergency video slider.

   

   

3. Select While using the app to enable permissions for recording video and audio.
4. Toggle Auto share to share backed-up videos with your emergency contacts.

   

Add medical information to your lock screen

It's also possible to add medical information such as your blood type, allergies, and medication to your lock screen for easy access by emergency workers.

1. From the Safety & emergency menu, tap Medical information. Medical Information is called Emergency Information in some versions of Android.
2. Tap any of the options to enter your information.

   

   

Automatically call emergency services in a car crash

If you're in a car crash, you may be unable to reach your phone. Turning on this feature activates a 60-second countdown when your phone detects a car crash. After the countdown finishes, your phone activates Emergency SOS.

1. From the Safety & emergency menu, tap Car crash detection.
2. Toggle the Car crash detection slider.

   

   

3. Allow Personal safety to access your physical activity and location.
4. Set Location Access to Allow all the time.

   

   

Enable Emergency Location Service on Android

It's another neat safety add-on for Android users. If Emergency Location Service is supported in your country, your phone can automatically send its location to emergency response partners when you call or text an emergency number. It uses the device location and Google Location Accuracy even if those settings are disabled.

1. Open Safety and emergency in Android Settings.
2. Select Emergency Location Service and enable the option from the following menu.

   

   

How to set up Emergency SOS on Samsung phones (One UI)

One UI software is a key selling point for Samsung Galaxy phones, and many people prefer it to the stock experience Google provides. Activating Emergency SOS is a different process.

The steps below outline how to use Emergency SOS features on your Samsung device with the company's One UI skin.

How to turn on Emergency SOS features in One UI

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Safety & Emergency. This option is in the Advanced Settings menu on One UI 3.
3. Select Emergency Contacts. Tap Add member and add your emergency contacts to the list. You can enable the same on the lock screen to access them quickly in an unfortunate situation.

   

   

4. Go back and select Emergency Sharing.
5. Enable the Attach pictures and Attach audio recording toggles.

   

   

6. Go back and select Emergency SOS.
7. Enable Share info with emergency contacts toggle.

   

   

How to add medical information and emergency contacts in One UI

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

1. Go to the Safety & Emergency menu and tap Medical info.
2. Add as many details as you wish.

   

   

3. Return to the Safety & Emergency menu and tap Emergency contacts.
4. Add friends or family members as emergency contacts.

Make sure you receive help in an emergency

Enabling Emergency SOS features on your Android device helps you receive assistance as soon as possible. Apart from Emergency SOS add-ons, you should also tweak relevant settings on your Android phone to protect your digital privacy.