The last few years have seen many Android companies create or strengthen their safety services. Google’s Pixel Personal Safety app was designed to bring help when you’re in danger or to keep track of your location and situation when you feel vulnerable. Originally aGoogle Pixel exclusive, the Personal Safety app is now compatible with several Android phones. To see if the Personal Safety app works on your phone, visit the Play Store. If you own a Samsung device, the company has its own implementation called Samsung SOS.
The Pixel Personal Safety app comes pre-installed on the Google Pixel 4 through theGoogle Pixel 8 Pro. You can install it on earlier Pixel phones and other Android smartphones, but some features might be limited on older devices. ensure you update to Android 14 to get the best experience. So, what does Pixel Personal Safety do?
Pixel Personal Safety app: 3 features to keep you safe
Google Personal Safety has three alert types: Emergency SOS, car crash detections, and safety checks. One is triggered manually, while the others activate automatically. For each alert, Google demonstrates how it works, so you don’t have to do a live test.
Emergency SOS
Pixel Personal Safety makes it easier to call emergency services. You don’t need to open the phone app and dial 911. Press and release the power button five times to trigger an SOS. An alarm sounds, and a five-second countdown begins. If you don’t cancel the SOS quickly, your Android smartphone calls emergency services and shares your location if this option is activated.
To cancel an SOS, quickly slide the on-screen switch to the right.
Since this is an important feature, check ourcomplete guide to Emergency SOS. And if you have a Google Pixel Watch,turn on Emergency SOS and Fall Detectionon it and live life a little more safely.
Car crash detection
An automatic alert is possible if crash detection is activated and your Pixel supports this feature. A 60-second timer begins. If the countdown reaches zero, your smartphone calls emergency services. Slide theI’m OKswitch to the right to stop the timer or say, “Cancel.” If you need help, slide theCall 911switch to the right to stop the countdown and make the call immediately.
Location permissions must be allowed to use car crash detection.
Safety check
Scheduled safety checks are a unique feature of Pixel Personal Safety. After a specified time, an alert appears on your Pixel to do a check-in and acknowledge that you’re okay.
A 60-second countdown begins, and if you don’t respond, emergency sharing alerts your designated contacts and gives them your location. Three options appear during the countdown.
The first cancels the alert, the second starts emergency sharing, and the third calls emergency services. For the US, your Pixel dials 911. Sliding any switch to the right initiates that action immediately.
To take advantage of these protective features of the Pixel Personal Safety app, take a moment and personalize the app.
How to set up Pixel Personal Safety features
If you have the Pixel Personal Safety app on your Pixel, you can call 911 without any other setup needed. The best features require you to sign in and personalize settings, however. The first step is to locate and open Personal Safety.
Open the Personal Safety app
The Pixel Personal Safety app has a different name on your smartphone. TypeSafetyin the search bar at the bottom of the screen or find it in the app drawer. Swipe up to open the app drawer, then scroll until you find the Safety app.
Android’s app drawer uses alphabetical order. The Safety app appears near the bottom.
Personal Safety options
Log in to the Pixel Personal Safety app to activate the best features. you may skip this step, but it limits the features.
Tap the gear in the upper-left corner to open settings. Emergency SOS is on by default in the Pixel Personal Safety app, but emergency sharing and car crash detection are off.
Tapping each setting and customizing the app to your preferences helps you understand and control what happens.
Emergency SOS options
Calling emergency services might not be considered safe. You can selectDon’t callor change the emergency phone number to something other than 911 if you prefer.
You can choose contacts you’d like to share information with during an emergency on the next screen. Your Pixel automatically shares your location. You can also let contacts know when your smartphone’s battery is low and when you’ve made an emergency or other phone call.
When you press the power button five times to activate the emergency SOS feature, your friends and family see an alert and receive information that might help you in the event of danger.
You must allow the Pixel Personal Safety app to access your device’s location if you want it to share your whereabouts.
Emergency sharing options
If you haven’t set up sharing with contacts as part of the emergency SOS feature, use the emergency sharing options from the settings screen. Choose anyone you’d like to share personal safety information with from your contacts. Then, choose the type of information to share, including your location, when your Pixel battery is low, and when you make a phone call. See above for screenshots.
Car crash detection options
There’s only one option in car crash detection. The feature is either on or off. When turned on, it uses your Pixel’s location, motion sensors, and microphone to detect when an automobile accident occurs. You must activate location sharing, and it’s best to allow it to run all the time.
Crash detection is not 100% accurate. You can’t assume that your Pixel will call emergency services. If you need help, check your smartphone.
Crisis alerts options
This is a single-option feature. If you activate crisis alerts, your Pixel warns you of any public emergencies or natural disasters based on your location. Google notes that this works even when the app is closed. Accuracy isn’t 100%, and you should stay aware of your environment.
Emergency contacts
If you haven’t filled in emergency contacts in the emergency SOS and emergency sharing options, you can do so here. Any contacts you add here are visible on your smartphone in an emergency, even when the screen is locked.
Medical information
Medical information might be critically important during an emergency. you may fill in your blood type, allergies, medications you are taking, your address, medical notes, and whether you are an organ donor. As with emergency contacts, medical information appears on your Pixel’s lock screen in an emergency, so first responders don’t need to unlock your smartphone.
Pixel Personal Safety gives you peace of mind
The Pixel Personal Safety app can alert you to public emergencies, bring help when needed, and share location and safety information with friends and family. These features provide peace of mind and make your Pixel or compatible Android phone a good companion in any situation.
After setting up the Pixel Personal Safety app, focus on your digital privacy for a few minutes. Check out our guide toprotecting your personal datato learn how changing a few Android settings can keep prying eyes away from your important documents.
