Update on Android Emergency SOS Feature & Accidental 9-1-1 Calls

NENA staff has been working with Google and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) regarding a recent and large uptick in accidental calls caused by changes to default behavior in some devices for the Emergency SOS feature in Android. This feature is activated by rapidly pressing the power button 5 times. With recent changes in settings included in recent updates to some Android OEMs, the Emergency SOS feature has initiated a large volume of "accidental" 9-1-1 calls. NENA has data that PSAPs report up to a 30% increase in call volumes in May and June, most of them attributed to this feature change.

Android Operating System (OS) software from both Google and OEMs have introduced updates to address the issue. For multiple major OEMs, the updates have already been pushed to the public and installed on many devices. It will take some time for updates to reach a critical mass of handsets, and for users to install them, for the issue to be completely addressed. 

Click here to read more, including a brief guide to the Emergency SOS feature.