Emergency services in many countries warned months ago that there was a noticeable increase in the number of accidental calls they were receiving. They blamed the problem on the system designed by Google for Android phones, which has been integrated into its mobile software since version 12. Once configured, a quick five-press of the power button was enough to activate it. Last June, Google integrated the ability to change this feature into new versions of Android.
Specifically, users could add an additional step based on pressing a button on the screen for three seconds. However, from now on this second step will be executed by default on their devices. It is true that it will reduce the number of accidental SOS alerts, but it will also add extra complexity to the process. This is what has drawn a lot of criticism from many users.
Here's how Google (actually) addressed the spike in false 911 calls placed by Android phones.
Earlier this year, law enforcement and emergency service operators around the world saw a spike in false emergency calls being placed by Android phones.
This was blamed on Android's… pic.twitter.com/4gcusLEkHt
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 20, 2023
This change will only affect those who have a Google Pixel or any other phone equipped with ‘pure’ Android. In other cases, such as Sony, Samsung or Xiaomi, the activation method will depend on the customization layer designed by the manufacturer. Therefore, it is advisable to go to the settings menu to check if there has been any change due to the latest update of the operating system or if the provider has kept it the same.
How is the Android emergency function configured?
First of all, the user has to open the ‘Settings’ menu of his phone and then press the ‘Security and emergencies’ button. There you will find the ‘SOS Emergencies’ option. After pressing it, a submenu will open in which you can configure everything you want, such as the contacts to call in case of a dangerous situation. Afterwards, simply click on ‘Done’ to confirm the changes.
It is worth remembering that a very similar system, which also aims to avoid accidental calls, is the one created by Apple for its iPhones. In them, to make the emergency call, you not only have to press five times the button located on the right margin, but also slide a touch key in red with the word ‘SOS’. The Apple Watch is capable of detecting falls and accidents and contacting the emergency services automatically if the user does not respond to their warnings.