How to Set Up Emergency SOS on Android

If you ever need urgent help, finding the right phone number or unlocking your phone may be difficult. Android Emergency SOS can make it quicker to contact emergency services and, on supported phones, share your location or alert people you trust.

The exact settings depend on your phone brand, Android version, and country. This guide explains the common steps on Google Pixel phones and points out where Samsung Galaxy menus may be different.

What you’ll need

• Your Android phone and its screen lock, if you use one.
• The names and phone numbers of the people you want to add as emergency contacts.
• A little time to review the options carefully, without placing a test emergency call.

Step 1: Find Emergency SOS in Settings

On many recent Android phones, Emergency SOS is in the Safety & emergency section of Settings.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Safety & emergency.
3. Look for Emergency SOS.
4. Tap it to see the options available on your phone.
5. If you cannot find the menu, return to the main Settings screen and use the search field to search for Emergency SOS.

On Google Pixel phones, these steps usually lead to the Emergency SOS setup screen. On Samsung Galaxy phones, the equivalent features may be under Safety and emergency or Emergency SOS, depending on the model and One UI version. Search Settings for “Emergency SOS” if the names do not match.

Good to know: Emergency SOS is not identical on every Android phone. Some options depend on your mobile carrier, location, device model, and local emergency-service support.

Step 2: Set up the Emergency SOS action

Emergency SOS is designed to start an emergency action from the phone’s buttons. On many supported Android phones, pressing the Power button five times or more quickly starts a countdown.

1. Open Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS.
2. Read the explanation on the screen.
3. Follow the setup prompts to choose how Emergency SOS works on your device.
4. Review whether your phone offers a countdown, an alarm, or an option to call emergency services automatically.
5. Save or confirm your choices.

The button sequence and available choices can differ. Do not assume the same action works on every Android phone; use the instructions shown on your device.

Careful: Do not test Emergency SOS by activating it. It may place a real call to emergency services or send alerts to your contacts. Learn the steps from the setup screen instead, and make sure you understand what starts the countdown.

Step 3: Add emergency contacts

Emergency contacts are people you choose who may be notified if you use certain emergency features. Add people who are likely to recognize your name and respond.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Safety & emergency.
3. Tap Emergency contacts.
4. Choose Add contact or the option shown on your phone.
5. Select someone from your Contacts.
6. Repeat if you want to add more people.
7. Check that the contact details are correct.

On some Android phones, emergency contacts are managed through the Personal Safety app instead. Open that app, find Your info or Emergency contacts, and follow the prompts. Samsung Galaxy users may find emergency contacts under Safety and emergency in Settings.

Tip: Tell the people you add that they are listed as emergency contacts. Check that their phone numbers are current, and update the list if your circumstances change.

Step 4: Add information for the Lock Screen

You can add details that may help someone assist you if you cannot explain what you need. Depending on your phone, this can include medical information and emergency contact details.

1. Open Settings > Safety & emergency.
2. Tap Medical information or Your info, if available.
3. Add any relevant details, such as allergies, medical conditions, or medications.
4. Add emergency contacts if the page offers that option.
5. Look for a setting such as Show when locked and turn it on if you want the information accessible from the Lock Screen.
6. Save your changes.

The names and available fields vary by phone. Only enter information you are comfortable making available to someone who can access the emergency information screen.

Step 5: Review location sharing and emergency video options

Some Android phones offer additional features that can share your location or provide information to emergency responders. These options are not available in every country or on every device.

1. Open Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS.
2. Review any option for Emergency location service, Location sharing, or similar wording.
3. If your phone offers Emergency video recording, read its explanation before deciding whether to enable it.
4. Check which contacts would receive alerts and what information would be shared.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup, if you choose to use these features.

Google Pixel phones may offer features through the Personal Safety app, while Samsung Galaxy models have their own emergency features. Availability can depend on your region, software version, and network connection.

Good to know: Emergency location services and contact alerts depend on your phone being able to connect. They are helpful extra features, but they are not a guarantee that responders or contacts will receive your location.

Step 6: Check how to make an emergency call

It is worth knowing how to reach emergency services without starting an SOS countdown.

1. From your phone’s Lock Screen, look for Emergency call.
2. Tap it to open the emergency dialer.
3. Use it only when you need urgent help, and call the emergency number for your location.
4. If you are unsure of the local number, check your country’s official emergency-service information before an emergency occurs.

The emergency dialer may be available even when the phone is locked. Emergency numbers and the way calls are handled vary by country and mobile network.

Step 7: Check Samsung Galaxy settings if you have a Samsung phone

Samsung Galaxy phones may organize emergency settings differently from Google Pixel and other Android devices.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Safety and emergency. On some models, the menu may be called Safety and emergency or show emergency options directly.
3. Look for Emergency SOS, Emergency contacts, and Medical info.
4. Review each option and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. If you cannot find a setting, use the search icon in Settings and search for its name.

Samsung changes menu labels and available features across Galaxy models and One UI releases. If the instructions on your phone differ, use the search field in Settings or consult Samsung Support for your exact model.

Troubleshooting: If you cannot find Emergency SOS

There is no Safety & emergency menu. Open Settings and search for Emergency SOS or Emergency. Some manufacturers put the feature in a different section, or provide it through a separate safety app.

I cannot add an emergency contact. Make sure the person is saved in your Contacts app with a current phone number. Check whether your phone manages emergency contacts in the Personal Safety app instead of Settings.

My phone has fewer options than this guide. Features vary by model, Android version, carrier, and country. Your phone may not support every option described here.

I am worried about triggering SOS by accident. Read the activation instructions carefully and review the countdown and confirmation settings. Avoid experimenting with the Power button sequence.

Take a moment to review your safety settings

Setting up Android Emergency SOS, adding emergency contacts, and checking your medical information can make important details easier to access in a difficult situation. Review the settings occasionally, especially after changing phones or updating Android.

For more details, see Google’s Get help in an emergency with your Android phone and Samsung’s support information for your specific Galaxy model.