How to fix Accidental 911 Calls on Google Pixel smartphone?

If you are a Google Pixel user, you would have likely heard of the Emergency SOS feature. This feature calls 911 automatically if you press the power button five times in a row.

While the feature can be helpful in real emergency, it can also result in Accidental 911 calls, especially if your smartphone is in your pocket. This has caused a surge in false emergency calls, authorities urged Google to address this issue.

If you’re facing this issue, then this guide will be helpful. In this guide, you will get to know how to fix Accidental 911 calls on Google Pixel smartphone.

How to fix Accidental 911 calls on Google Pixel smartphone?

With users facing Accidental 911 calls issue, Google has introduced a fix in Android, adding a crucial layer of precaution before initiating the 911. The developers recognized the need for a more foolproof system and introduced a subtle yet effective change. Now, users need to have an option that prompts them to touch and hold their finger on the screen for 3 seconds to confirm the necessity of a 911 call.

Here are the steps to follow to enable Touch and hold to start actions and prevent Accidental 911 Calls –

1. Open the Settings menu and then scroll down to find out the “Safety and Emergency” section
2. Now, tap on it to proceed
3. Within the Safety and Emergency section, you need to locate and select “Emergency SOS”
4. Under the “How it works” section, you should opt for the second option
5. In the subsequent menu, you should select the “Touch and hold to start actions” option
6. This simple change will help fix Accidental 911 calls on Google Pixel smartphones

While the touch-and-hold confirmation is a step in the right direction, some users might find it to be less than ideal in certain emergency scenarios.

Fortunately, Google has foreseen the diverse needs of users. For folks who prefer the previous behavior, where the accidental 911 call was initiated automatically after a set time, there’s an option to revert to this configuration. You should select the “Start action automatically” option for restoring the original functionality.