Google says your Android phone will now be more useful during emergency situations

A smartphone, which stays with people most of the time, can become a valuable tool when someone runs into an unexpected problem or threatening situation. Both Android and iPhone come with a wide range of features for contacting emergency services.

Google is building on its Android safety features and announced a new addition called Emergency Live Video. As the name suggests, the feature lets you share a live feed of your surroundings with emergency services using your phone's camera.

A dispatcher can request your phone to share live video during an emergency call or text. Once you allow it, your Android phone will start the live stream, allowing the dispatcher to assess the situation quickly. The feature can help dispatchers to guide people through life-saving steps, such as CPR, while they wait for help.

"We designed the feature to be simple and secure, with no setup required. During an emergency call or text, if the responder determines that seeing the scene would be helpful and it’s safe to do so, they can send a request to your device," Google said describing the feature.

The search giant added that Emergency Live Video is encrypted by default, and you can cut off the live stream at any moment by tapping the "Stop Sharing" button. The safety feature has started rolling out in the US, as well as, some regions in Germany and Mexico.

Google notes that over 80% of emergency calls come from mobile devices. The latest safety measure builds on other features, such as Emergency Location Services, which allow first responders to determine the caller's location. Pixel smartphones and smartwatches can alert emergency services when the user ends up in a car crash or takes a fall.

While there is no word on when the feature will roll out to other countries, Google said it's working with public safety organizations globally to expand it. You'll need an Android device running Android 8 (or later) with Google Play services to support the feature.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Thursday 11 December 2025 at 5:37 pm AEST (my time).

News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of November): 5,412

RIP Matrix