Prepare for emergencies

Set up emergency SOS

In an emergency, you can press the Power button quickly five times or more to start a blaring sound and automatically call emergency responders. If you sign in to your Google account, you can set your phone to send SOS text messages with your current location to emergency contacts and to record emergency video.

Set it up

  1. Go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS.
  2. Sign in to your Google account to access all emergency features, then turn Emergency SOS on.

  3. Adjust settings:

    • To play a loud warning sound when Emergency SOS is starting, touch settings icon and turn Play alarm sound on toggle on switch.

    • To change the default regional emergency number dialed for help, touch Call emergency services > Number to call for help, enter the number, and touch OK.

      NoteDon't enter a non-emergency number. If you do, your phone must be unlocked to use Emergency SOS, and your call might not be answered.
  4. For additional SOS features, sign in to your Google account and then follow onscreen instructions. When you send an emergency SOS, you can have your phone text your location with your emergency contacts and record, backup, and share an emergency video. To learn more, read Google’s help.

Send an emergency SOS

Press the Power button five times or more to start the countdown alarm and call for help.

Disable emergency SOS

Go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS, then turn Call emergency services off toggle off switch.

Set up emergency information

You can set up emergency information for first responders or others to view from your lock screen, such as your emergency contact and medical information (blood type, allergies).

Add your emergency information

  1. Go to Settings > Safety & emergency.
  2. Set up your information.
NoteAnyone who picks up your phone can see your emergency info without unlocking your phone.

View your emergency information

Anyone who needs to view your information should:

  1. From the lock screen:

    • Swipe up and tap Emergency call below the keypad.
    • Or, press & hold the Power button, then tap Emergency.
  2. Tap View emergency info.

Add message to lock screen

To add your name or a short message to your lock screen for anyone who finds your phone:

  1. Go to Settings > Display > Lock screen.
  2. Tap Text on lock screen.
  3. Type the text to display and tap Save.
TipDon't put your mobile number as contact info on your lock screen unless you can access your voicemail from another device.

Send your location to emergency services

Not all carriers and countries support this feature.

If Android Emergency Location Service (ELS) works in your country and on your carrier's network and if you haven't turned off ELS, when you call or text an emergency number, ELS sends your location to authorized emergency responders to help them locate you.

If ELS is off, your carrier might still send the phone’s location during an emergency call. For more information, check with your carrier.

To turn ELS on or off:

  1. Go to Settings > Location > Location services.
  2. Touch Emergency Location Service.
  3. Turn it on toggle on switch or off toggle off switch.

To learn more about ELS, read Google's help.

Turn emergency alerts off/on

Your phone can receive free alerts to inform you of public safety messages, threats to life and property (like extreme weather), and other emergencies.

When an emergency alert is sent out, appears in the status bar. Touch the notification to read the alert.

You can turn most alerts off or on and adjust alert notification settings. Presidential alerts cannot be turned off.

NoteBecause alerts are intended to save lives, please consider carefully before turning alerts off.
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Touch Safety & emergency > Wireless emergency alerts.
  3. Adjust settings as needed.