Emergency SOS on Android is designed to help you quickly call emergency services, share your location, or alert chosen contacts when you press the power button several times. It can be genuinely useful in a crisis, but it can also cause accidental 911 or local emergency calls if triggered in a pocket, bag, car mount, or by a child using the phone.
The exact controls vary by phone brand and Android version, so turning it off or adjusting it may look different on a Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola, OnePlus, or another Android device. Most phones let you change the SOS trigger, disable automatic calling, remove emergency contacts, turn off countdown alarms, or reduce accidental activations without removing every safety feature.
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Here’s how Emergency SOS works on Android, where to find the setting on common devices, and what to do if your phone or carrier does not allow the feature to be fully disabled.
What Emergency SOS Does on Android
Emergency SOS on Android is a built-in safety feature designed to help you contact emergency services quickly when you may not have time to unlock the phone, open the dialer, or search for contacts. On many Android phones, it is triggered by pressing the power button several times in quick succession, most commonly five presses. Depending on the phone brand, Android version, carrier, and country, the feature may call local emergency services, share your location, record video, sound an alarm, or notify chosen emergency contacts.
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The exact behavior varies by device. On Google Pixel phones, Emergency SOS can be set to call emergency services, share updates with emergency contacts, and record an emergency video. On Samsung Galaxy phones, the feature is often called Emergency SOS or Send SOS messages, and it may send your location, photos, or audio recordings to selected contacts after repeated side key presses. Other Android manufacturers, such as Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Nokia, may place similar options under Safety & emergency, Security & emergency, Emergency rescue, or a device-specific safety menu.
Common actions Emergency SOS can perform
- Call emergency services: The phone can automatically dial the emergency number used in your region, such as 911, 112, or 999.
- Start a countdown: Many phones show a short countdown before placing the call, giving you a chance to cancel if it was triggered by accident.
- Play an alarm sound: Some devices can make a loud warning sound before or during activation.
- Share your location: Your phone may send your real-time or recent location to emergency contacts or emergency services where supported.
- Notify emergency contacts: Selected contacts may receive a text message that you used Emergency SOS.
- Record emergency video or audio: Certain phones can begin recording and optionally back up or share the recording.
- Attach photos: Some Samsung models can send pictures from the front and rear cameras with SOS messages.
Emergency SOS is separate from the standard emergency call button on the lock screen. The lock-screen emergency button lets anyone dial emergency services manually without unlocking the device. Emergency SOS, by contrast, is a shortcut-based automation that can trigger actions after a hardware-button gesture. Turning off or changing Emergency SOS usually does not remove the lock-screen emergency dialer, because phones are generally required to allow quick emergency calling.
It is also connected to other Android safety tools, but it is not the same as all of them. For example, Emergency Location Service can help emergency responders receive your location when you call or text an emergency number. Medical information can show allergies, blood type, medications, and emergency contacts from the lock screen. Car crash detection, where available, can detect a serious crash and offer to call emergency services. When you adjust Emergency SOS, it is worth checking these related settings so you do not accidentally disable a safety feature you still want to keep.
Because Emergency SOS can place real emergency calls, accidental activation matters. A tight phone case, repeated side-button presses in a pocket or bag, a child playing with the phone, or panic pressing the power button can start the countdown. If the call goes through, stay on the line and tell the dispatcher it was accidental rather than hanging up. Before turning the feature off completely, consider whether changing the countdown, disabling the alarm, removing emergency contacts, or turning off automatic calling would solve the problem while keeping some protection available.
How to Turn Off Emergency SOS on Google Pixel Phones
On Google Pixel phones, Emergency SOS is managed from the Safety & emergency settings. Depending on your Android version, pressing the power button five times quickly can start an emergency countdown, call emergency services, share your location with emergency contacts, record video, or trigger a combination of these actions. You can turn the feature off completely, or keep it enabled while changing what happens when it is activated.
- Open the Settings app on your Pixel.
- Scroll down and tap Safety & emergency.
- Tap Emergency SOS.
- If you see a main switch for Use Emergency SOS, turn it off to disable the power-button shortcut.
- If there is no single off switch, open each option under Emergency SOS and disable the actions you do not want, such as Call emergency services, Share info with emergency contacts, or Record emergency video.
Pixel models and Android releases can label these options slightly differently. On newer Pixel phones, you may see settings such as Emergency call, Emergency sharing, and Emergency recording. To stop the phone from calling emergency services after the shortcut is pressed, open Emergency call and turn off calling, or change the emergency number behavior if your region allows it. To stop alerts being sent to trusted contacts, open Emergency sharing and disable it or remove contacts from the list.
If you still want Emergency SOS available but want to reduce accidental triggers, keep the feature on and adjust the countdown and confirmation settings where available. In Emergency SOS, look for options such as Play alarm sound, Countdown alarm, or Touch and hold to start actions. Enabling a confirmation step or audible countdown gives you a chance to cancel before a call or message is sent. If your Pixel starts the countdown, tap Cancel on the screen before it finishes.
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You should also review related Pixel safety features in the same menu. Emergency contacts controls who can receive your location during emergency sharing. Medical information can be shown from the lock screen to first responders. Car crash detection, available on supported Pixel models and in supported regions, is separate from Emergency SOS and has its own switch. Turning off Emergency SOS does not necessarily disable these other safety tools, so check each setting individually if your goal is to prevent any automatic emergency action.
How to Turn Off Emergency SOS on Samsung Galaxy Phones
On Samsung Galaxy phones, Emergency SOS is usually controlled from the Safety and emergency menu in Settings. Depending on your One UI version, the feature may be called Emergency SOS, SOS messages, or Send SOS messages. Newer Galaxy models can call emergency services when you press the Side key mulle times, while older models may focus more on sending SOS messages with your location to selected contacts.
- Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Scroll down and tap Safety and emergency.
- Tap Emergency SOS.
- Turn off Emergency SOS, Call emergency services, or Press Side key 5 times to call, depending on the wording shown on your phone.
- If prompted, confirm that you want to disable the shortcut.
If your Galaxy phone does not offer a full off switch, you may still be able to make Emergency SOS less likely to trigger by changing how it works. In the Emergency SOS screen, look for options such as Countdown, Play warning sound, or Require swipe to call. Enabling a countdown or warning sound gives you time to cancel if the Side key is pressed by accident in a pocket, bag, car mount, or tight phone case.
Adjust SOS messages on older Samsung phones
On some Galaxy devices, especially those running older versions of One UI, the setting may appear as Send SOS messages. This feature can send your location, photos, or audio recordings to emergency contacts after repeated presses of the Power or Side key. To turn it off, go to Settings > Advanced features > Send SOS messages, then switch the feature off. If you want to keep it enabled but reduce accidental use, review the number of key presses required and remove any contacts you no longer want to receive SOS alerts.
| Samsung menu name | Where to look | What you can change |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Settings > Safety and emergency | Emergency calling shortcut, countdown, warning sound |
| Send SOS messages | Settings > Advanced features | SOS contacts, location sharing, photos, audio |
| Emergency contacts | Settings > Safety and emergency | People notified during an emergency |
After changing the setting, press the Side key normally to make sure it still locks and wakes the phone as expected. Avoid testing the SOS shortcut by pressing the key repeatedly, since that may still start a real emergency call on some models. If your phone was provided by a school, employer, carrier, or government program, the option may be limited by device policy or regional emergency calling rules. In that case, you can usually still enable a countdown, warning sound, or screen confirmation to reduce accidental calls.
How to Change or Disable Emergency SOS on Other Android Devices
On Android phones from Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, Nokia, Nothing, Sony, and other brands, Emergency SOS settings can appear in different places depending on the Android version and the manufacturer’s safety app. In most cases, the feature is tied to pressing the power button several times quickly, usually five presses, to call local emergency services or contact emergency contacts. If your phone does not match the exact menus below, use the Settings search bar and look for Emergency SOS, Safety & emergency, Emergency rescue, or SOS.
General Android steps
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Go to Safety & emergency, Security & emergency, or a similarly named menu.
- Tap Emergency SOS, Emergency rescue, or SOS emergency assistance.
- Turn off the main Emergency SOS switch if available.
- If there is no full off switch, change the action so it does not automatically call emergency services. For example, disable Call emergency services, Auto call, or Call after countdown.
- Review related options such as sending your location, recording video, playing an alarm sound, or notifying emergency contacts.
Some manufacturers let you keep Emergency SOS enabled but make it less likely to trigger by accident. For example, you may be able to require a screen confirmation before calling, extend the countdown, turn off the siren sound, or remove emergency contacts from automatic alerts. This is often a better choice than disabling every safety feature, especially if you still want quick access to emergency help from the lock screen.
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| Phone brand | Where to look | Setting names you may see |
|---|---|---|
| Motorola | Settings > Safety & emergency | Emergency SOS, Emergency services, Emergency contacts |
| OnePlus | Settings > Safety & emergency or Security & emergency | Emergency SOS, Power button shortcut, Auto call |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Settings > Safety & emergency or Passwords & security | Emergency SOS, SOS, Send SOS messages |
| OPPO, Realme, Vivo | Settings > Safety & emergency, Security, or Privacy & safety | Emergency SOS, Emergency rescue, SOS call |
| Nothing, Nokia, Sony | Settings > Safety & emergency | Emergency SOS, Emergency information, Crisis alerts |
On Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones, the option may be called Emergency SOS and may focus on sending messages to emergency contacts rather than calling emergency services directly. Open the setting and switch off Emergency SOS or remove the contacts if you do not want alerts sent when the shortcut is triggered. On OPPO, Realme, and Vivo devices, look for Emergency rescue or SOS call; you may need to disable automatic calling separately from contact messages.
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If your phone includes a dedicated safety app, such as Personal Safety or a manufacturer rescue app, open that app as well as the main Settings app. Emergency actions, emergency contacts, medical information, and location sharing can be split between both places. After making changes, press the power button once or twice to confirm normal behavior, but do not rapidly press it five times unless you are prepared to cancel the countdown immediately.
How to Prevent Accidental Emergency SOS Calls
Accidental Emergency SOS calls usually happen when the power button is pressed repeatedly in a pocket, bag, car mount, or while trying to restart the phone. Even if you do not want to disable the feature completely, you can reduce false activations by changing how it starts, adding a countdown, turning off automatic calling, and reviewing lock-screen shortcuts.
Adjust the Emergency SOS trigger
On many Android phones, Emergency SOS is triggered by pressing the power button five times quickly. If your phone lets you change this behavior, set it to require an extra confirmation step instead of immediately calling emergency services. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS, then review options such as Call emergency services, Require confirmation, or similar wording depending on your Android version. On Samsung Galaxy phones, check Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS.
- Use a countdown: If available, enable a countdown before the call is placed so you have time to cancel.
- Disable automatic calling: Keep Emergency SOS available, but make it ask before dialing emergency services.
- Review power-button shortcuts: If double-press or side-key actions are also assigned, change them to something less likely to be triggered accidentally.
- Test carefully: Do not complete a real emergency call as a test. Open the settings screen and confirm the configured options instead.
Reduce pocket and bag activations
If Emergency SOS has triggered while the phone was in your pocket, check whether the power button is being pressed by a tight case, wallet, keys, or car holder. A bulky or misaligned case can keep pressure on the side key, especially on Samsung Galaxy models with raised button covers. Remove the case for a day to see if the issue stops, or switch to a case with firmer cutouts around the buttons.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchYou can also reduce accidental touches from the lock screen. On Samsung phones, open Settings > Display and enable Accidental touch protection if available. You may also want to disable Lift to wake, Tap to wake, or overly sensitive touch options if the screen frequently wakes in your pocket. On Pixel phones, review Settings > Display > Lock screen for features such as Tap to check phone or Lift to check phone.
Check emergency contacts and sharing settings
Some Emergency SOS setups do more than call emergency services. They may send your location, start video recording, or message emergency contacts. If false alerts are the main problem, you can often keep the emergency call feature while turning off extras such as automatic location sharing, emergency contact messages, or emergency recording. Look under Safety & emergency or Safety and emergency, then open Emergency SOS, Emergency sharing, Emergency contacts, or Personal Safety, depending on your phone.
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| Problem | Setting to review |
|---|---|
| Emergency services are called too quickly | Enable confirmation or countdown before calling |
| Contacts receive false alerts | Turn off emergency sharing or remove automatic messages |
| Phone activates in a pocket | Enable accidental touch protection and check the case |
| Power button is too easy to press | Change side-key shortcuts or use a better-fitting case |
After changing these settings, keep your phone locked and handle the power button normally for a few days to confirm the issue is resolved. If Emergency SOS still activates unexpectedly, restart the phone, install system updates, and check whether a protective case or damaged button is causing repeated presses.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to Check If You Can’t Turn Emergency SOS Off
If the Emergency SOS switch is missing, greyed out, or turns itself back on, the limitation usually comes from your Android version, phone maker, region, carrier, or device management settings. Some Android phones let you fully disable the power-button shortcut, while others only let you change how it behaves, such as turning off countdown alarms, disabling automatic emergency calling, or requiring confirmation before a call is placed.
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Check your Android version and system updates
Emergency SOS settings have changed across Android releases, so the path may not match older instructions. On most phones, go to Settings > System > System update or Settings > Software update and install any available update. After updating, restart the phone and check the safety menu again. On Pixel phones, look under Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency SOS. On Samsung Galaxy phones, check Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS or search Settings for Emergency SOS.
Search Settings instead of following one fixed path
Android manufacturers often rename menus or move them between updates. Open Settings and use the search bar for terms such as Emergency SOS, SOS, Safety, Emergency, or Power button. If the result opens a page without a full off switch, look for related controls such as Call emergency services, Play warning sound, Countdown, Require swipe to call, or Press Side button 5 times. Disabling automatic calling or enabling a confirmation step may be the closest available option.
- Pixel: If you cannot turn off the feature completely, try disabling Use Emergency SOS or changing the action so it does not automatically call emergency services.
- Samsung: If the main toggle is unavailable, check whether Press Side button 5 times, Emergency contacts, or Send SOS messages can be adjusted separately.
- Motorola, OnePlus, Nokia, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo: Search for SOS in Settings and also check Security & emergency, Safety & emergency, Buttons, or Additional settings.
Check work profile, parental controls, or device administrator restrictions
If the phone is managed by an employer, school, or parental control app, safety and emergency settings may be locked. Look for a message such as managed by your organization. You can check Settings > Security & privacy > More security settings > Device admin apps, though the exact path varies. For a work phone, contact the administrator before changing safety features. For a child’s phone, review controls in Google Family Link or the device maker’s parental control settings.
Review carrier, region, and legal limits
In some countries or on some carrier builds, emergency calling shortcuts cannot be fully removed. A phone may allow you to stop automatic dialing but still keep a shortcut available from the lock screen or power menu. This is normal on many Android devices because emergency access is treated as a core safety function. If there is no off switch, focus on reducing accidental triggers: turn off automatic calling if available, enable a countdown sound, increase confirmation steps, and use a case that does not press the power button too easily.
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If Emergency SOS settings crash, reset after restart, or do not save changes, restart the phone and try again. Then clear the Settings app cache where available by going to Settings > Apps > Settings > Storage > Clear cache. You can also boot into safe mode to check whether a third-party app is interfering. If nothing helps, back up your phone and contact the manufacturer or carrier support. As a last resort, a factory reset may restore missing safety menus, but it should only be done after your photos, messages, authenticator apps, and files are safely backed up.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off Emergency SOS stop me from calling emergency services normally?
No. Disabling Emergency SOS only turns off the shortcut that calls emergency services when you press the power button mulle times or use a similar trigger. You can still dial your local emergency number manually from the Phone app or lock screen.
Can I keep Emergency SOS on but stop it from calling automatically?
On many Android phones, yes. Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices often let you keep Emergency SOS enabled while turning off automatic calling, adding a countdown, or requiring confirmation before a call is placed. Look in Settings under Safety & emergency or Advanced features, depending on your phone.
Where is the Emergency SOS setting if I do not have a Pixel or Samsung phone?
Open Settings and search for “Emergency SOS,” “SOS,” or “Safety.” On many Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo phones, the setting is under Safety & emergency, Security & emergency, Password & security, or Additional settings. If the menu name is different, using the Settings search bar is usually the fastest way to find it.
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Change the shortcut behavior so it requires confirmation, a longer countdown, or more button presses if your phone supports those options. You can also disable the power-button SOS shortcut, use a case that makes the side button harder to press accidentally, and avoid storing the phone where the power button is pressed against keys, wallets, or tight fabric.
What if my Android phone does not let me turn off Emergency SOS?
Some regions, carriers, school or work profiles, and phone makers may restrict Emergency SOS settings. Update Android and your system apps, then check Settings again and search for the feature by name. If the option is still locked or missing, you may only be able to adjust related settings such as countdown sound, emergency contacts, location sharing, or automatic calling.
Bottom Line
Emergency SOS is a useful safety feature, but it can be stressful if it keeps triggering by accident. On most Android phones, you can turn it off or reduce accidental calls by going to Safety & emergency settings, adjusting the power-button shortcut, countdown alarm, emergency contacts, and location-sharing options.
If your Samsung, Pixel, or other Android device does not show a full off switch, update your phone, check your manufacturer’s safety settings, or customize the SOS behavior as much as allowed. After changing anything, review your emergency contacts and test the button pattern carefully so you know exactly what will happen in a real emergency.
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