Police warning for Android users - change key emergency SOS setting now

Chief Superintendent Dan Ivey of the Metropolitan Police has warned Android users to disable the phone's 'Emergency SOS' feature - as it's overwhelming the emergency services phone lines

Ciarn Daly Technology reporter

16:44, 19 Jun 2023

[Chief Superintendent Dan Ivey of the Metropolitan Police has warned Android users to disable the phone's 'Emergency SOS' feature - as it's overwhelming the emergency services phone lines]

The Android Emergency SOS feature is causing a surge in 'pocket dials' to emergency services, a Met Police boss has claimed(Image: Getty Images/PhotoAlto)

Android users are being urged to turn off a key phone feature by one of the country's top cops.

'Emergency SOS' is a tool on Android phones which can call the emergency services on 999 when you press the power button five times.

The setting sees the police called by default, and while this could be massively helpful in an emergency, it's also causing them a headache.

Metropolitan police chief superintendent Dan Ivey has claimed this month that the feature is leading to countless 'pocket dials' of 999.

[The word 'Police' below the fluorescent decals on a police car on a UK street, with other police vehicles in the distance.]

Dan Ivey of the Met Police blamed the feature for an uptick in pointless 999 calls(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

This is heaping extra demand on thinly-stretched public services, and he has asked if people can turn it off.

This week, Mr Ivey told LBC News that the Met received over 9500 calls through 999 in one day and only 20% of them actually required an emergency response.

He explained: "There is a problem with SOS auto mode on Android devices, so we are asking for your help."

He urged Android users to go to their phone settings, open the 'Emergency SOS' page, then turn it off or change what it does.

[BRAZIL - 2022/09/20: In this photo illustration, the Android logo seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)]

Android's Emergency SOS tool calls the police by default(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

On top of that, Mr Ivey wants people to only call the police when there is a 'danger to life', threat of serious violence, or the risk of serious injury or damage to a person or property.

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iPhones have a similar feature although these are less easily triggered as users have to press the volume and power button at the same time then activate a slider by hand.

Of course, the Emergency SOS tool is there for a reason and has saved lives in certain cases, particularly in remote areas, so if you feel like you need to keep it activated, you can.

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