# Android users need to check their Emergency SOS feature ASAP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 18, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454 "2025-02-18T15:19:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/1 "2025-02-18T15:19:12Z")
Emergency SOS is a feature I didn’t know about. I checked and it is a feature on my Samsung phone. Thankfully, it’s turned off and I don’t have any emergency contacts setup. Open your Setup (the gear icon) and search for Emergency Pressing power 5 times sent this Android users Emergency contacts a video of his groin. 😳 You can disable capturing video when Emergency SOS is activated. But you won’t capture the mugger that’s attacking you. 😉 > **[Android’s Emergency SOS just gave one Pixel owner my worst privacy nightmare...](https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/androids-emergency-sos-just-gave-one-pixel-owner-my-worst-privacy-nightmare-heres-how-to-avoid-similar-embarrassment)** > > Keep Emergency SOS on, and change these settings instead > [@](#): > > The ordeal occurred over the weekend when, in an effort to switch off their morning phone alarm, user [AssistancePretend668 says](https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1iq2u4b/emergency_sosthe_new_way_to_send_nudes_to_friends/) they accidentally activated Emergency SOS – they suspect by pressing their phone’s power button five times. The alarm became a whirring siren and their phone screen alerted them that it was calling 911 and sending out information to their emergency contacts. > > They scrambled to cancel Emergency SOS, but in doing so picked up **their phone without knowing the feature starts capturing a video which it then sends to all of their emergency contacts. Combine this with the fact that the user says they sleep without any clothes on, and the result is their contacts were sent a video of their friend completely naked.** ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/2 "2025-02-18T15:49:56Z")
I’ve got the Emergency SOS activated, and I plan to keep it activated. I have it set up so it requires a swipe after hitting the button five times. It also will not send videos. I cycle, and when that white F-150 finally hits me, I want to be able to call for help. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/3 "2025-02-18T16:02:11Z")
I didn’t know Emergency SOS was a Android feature until I saw the news this morning. I’m thinking about setting up Emergency SOS in a similar way. No video. It can show a emergency contact and medical info on the lock screen. Medical info could be life saving in an emergency. If the EMT’s look at the phone. I think EMT’s check wallets for a emergency medical card? Would they check a phones lock screen? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/4 "2025-02-18T16:07:01Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I think EMT’s check wallets for a emergency medical card? Would they check a phones lock screen? Because with Emergency SOS, phone lock screens show medical info. I think that that’s the sort of thing that professional EMTs are likely to know. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/5 "2025-02-18T16:08:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I think EMT’s check wallets for a emergency medical card? Would they check a phones lock screen? I should think so. I wear my Road ID when I cycle, but backup is always nice. Set up the SOS, just add the swipe. Also - how the hell do you hit the power button five times while trying to swipe the alarm off? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/6 "2025-02-18T16:13:21Z")
I looked at the censored video on Reddit. It captures the room as he picks up the phone and then the body. It’s not extremely explicit like a dick pic that some guys text. The video probably confused his Emergency contacts rather than offended. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/7 "2025-02-18T16:59:00Z")
> [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > Set up the SOS, just add the swipe. Also - how the hell do you hit the power button five times while trying to swipe the alarm off? FWIW, the few times I’ve accidentally activated mine, it’s because I was trying to launch the camera, which I can do by hitting the power button three times. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/8 "2025-02-18T19:24:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I didn’t know Emergency SOS was a Android feature until I saw the news this morning. I didn’t, either, but searching my settings shows that I have it available. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/9 "2025-02-19T10:55:39Z")
> [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > Set up the SOS, just add the swipe. Also - how the hell do you hit the power button five times while trying to swipe the alarm off? Because tapping down-volume does the same thing and the power button and down-volume button are adjacent and feel almost the same? While you’re half asleep or frantically trying to silence an alarm during a meeting and you’re fumbling it around because you picked it up upside-down and … ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/10 "2025-02-19T11:45:38Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Pressing power 5 times sent this Android users Emergency contacts a video of his groin. 😳 I just checked my phone (also a Samsung) and the SOS feature is turned off. But I don’t understand this fear of sending pictures of yourself naked. I’m always happy to broadcast pictures of myself _au naturel_. In fact I’ll post one right here … [![](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Bernese-Mountain-Dog-On-White-01.jpg) ](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Bernese-Mountain-Dog-On-White-01.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/11 "2025-02-20T04:09:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Because with Emergency SOS, phone lock screens show medical info. I think that that’s the sort of thing that professional EMTs are likely to know. Nope. Well, they may know it but not likely to go looking for it. Were you walking/running & holding it when you got hit by a car? Chances are you’re not holding it anymore & it flew a different distance/direction than your body did. It may have cracked screen when landing & not be readable, or fallen into a sewer grate or be in/under a bush. It may be in one of the many pockets of your pants or backpack. You’re better off with them treating you than spending time looking for something they may not find. (I don’t run with my phone, so you’d never find mine if I was in an accident while running) Additionally, medics have protocols & they’re going to follow them. You might be unconscious because of a drug overdose, or because of a low blood sugar, or because of an allergic reaction to a bee sting or CO poisoning, or… It might say you’re a diabetic, which they’re going to treat for by protocol by giving some sugar via IV even if they don’t know this, or it might give ‘bad’ information - some diabetics take drugs; their sugar is fine, they’re just ODing; give 'em Narcan. > [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > I should think so. I wear my Road ID when I cycle, but backup is always nice. I used to use one of theirs. I still wear one but it’s not RoadID brand. I think they got away from some of what they did best. An emergency ID, whether it is contact info for family members/SO or a MedicAlert device should big & obnoxious as to what it is. After all, it’s needed by a stranger in an emergency. Some of them are more jewelry-like or go on the side of your watch band. Someone seeing that from the wrong angle will think jewelry or watch & not maybe I should inspect it further to see if maybe, possibly, perhaps it contains pertinent info. While not this brand, mine looks more like (the first random internet pic I could find) - [![](https://i.etsystatic.com/19582566/r/il/a5f10d/5745488845/il_fullxfull.5745488845_8hsf.jpg) ](https://i.etsystatic.com/19582566/r/il/a5f10d/5745488845/il_fullxfull.5745488845_8hsf.jpg) It has my name & her name & phone # etched into the metal. Once I’m stabilized, call her & she can tell you the most important things about me medically, if appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/12 "2025-02-20T14:29:26Z")
Mine has my name, my wife’s name and number, my father’s name and number, allergies, blood type, and “Go NC State” on it. I should probably update it to have my sister’s name instead of my father’s. She _is_ the responsible adult in Raleigh. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/13 "2025-02-20T14:30:31Z")
I’ve never seen your bare knees before. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/14 "2025-02-20T18:42:57Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I’ve never seen your bare knees before.   I choose to celebrate my sexuality. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/15 "2025-02-20T18:50:49Z")
Did you … did you just get [**whooshed?**](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bernese-mountain-dog/) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/16 "2025-02-20T18:54:08Z")
I dunno, but I heartily approve of my description in that link: “Good natured, calm, strong”. 🐕 And sexy. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/17 "2025-02-20T20:46:16Z")
We still can’t see your knees, ya damn furball! Maybe take a trip to [Lincolnshire](https://news.sky.com/story/mystery-over-claims-of-shaved-cats-in-lincolnshire-village-13307037) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-users-need-to-check-their-emergency-sos-feature-asap/1014454/18 "2025-02-20T23:26:50Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > We still can’t see your knees, ya damn furball! Nevertheless, I have posed _au naturel_, wearing no clothing. If you think I’m gonna start shaving my gorgeous fur for you, think again! 😁