Using the Android Personal Safety App to Safeguard Yourself in Emergencies

There are occasions when it’s necessary to walk alone at night. During these moments, I depend on the Android Personal Safety app to ensure my safety. This app lets me share my location with a trusted friend and enables me to notify them once I arrive home safely. In this article, I will explore additional features that can bolster your personal security.

What Is the Android Personal Safety App?

The Android Personal Safety (APS) app, created by Google, is designed to assist users during emergencies and keep track of their location in potentially threatening situations.

Initially, the Android Personal Safety app was limited to Pixel devices, but now it is compatible with a broader range of Android smartphones (though not all). To determine if your device supports it, visit the Google Play Store to locate the app. Pixel phone users (from Pixel 4 onwards) should find it already installed on their devices.

However, note that some features of the Android Personal Safety app function only with Android 12 and newer versions. To ensure an optimal experience, make certain your device is updated to Android 14, if available.

How to Input Your Emergency Information

There are two ways to enter your emergency information in the Android Personal Safety app: directly through the app or via your phone’s Settings. Here’s how.

Launch the Android Personal Safety app on your phone and navigate to the Your Info tab located at the bottom. At the top, look for the Emergency info section.

Tap on Medical information. Here, you can enter vital details pertaining to your medical history, such as Allergies, Blood type, Pregnancy status, or Medications you are currently taking. This information is essential for first responders or healthcare personnel in emergencies.

Next, you can add Emergency contacts by selecting individuals you wish to be notified in case of emergencies. To add someone, simply click on + Add contact.

Lastly, select Emergency info access. The initial setting Show when locked is usually enabled by default. This setting allows first responders to contact your emergency contacts directly from the lock screen. You can also enable the Share during emergency call feature. If you are in an area with Emergency Location Service, your phone will automatically share your emergency information with the appropriate response partners when you call or text an emergency number.

The same settings can also be accessed via your Pixel’s Settings -> Safety & emergency. The Medical information and Emergency contacts will appear at the top.

Here, you can verify if the Emergency Location Service is enabled. If not, try turning it on; if you can’t, this service may not be available in your area.

Additional Features of Android Personal Safety

The Android Personal Safety app offers various functions that can help ensure your safety in hazardous situations. Below are key features.

Call Emergency Services

The app allows you to contact your local emergency number directly without needing to input the number manually. To maximize its effectiveness, ensure that the APS app is open on your device when you head out.

If anything goes awry, you can easily access the app and tap the Call 911 (or your appropriate regional emergency number) button for immediate help.

Emergency Sharing

Once, I found myself alone in a potentially risky area after my friend canceled our plans. I took an Uber to a less populated neighborhood and felt uneasy trying to find another ride home. To mitigate this, I activated the Emergency Sharing feature.

This feature allows me to send my location and regular status updates to my emergency contacts. Additionally, I found it reassuring to call one of my contacts and stay on the line until I arrived safely at the metro station.

You can enable this option using Google Assistant. To set it up and customize related preferences, navigate to the Features tab, locate the Emergency Sharing card, and select it.

Safety Check

If you often engage in activities like hiking alone, the Safety Check feature can be beneficial. While I’m not a lone adventurer myself, I know a few who prefer their own company in nature, and I’m the emergency contact for one such person.

With Safety Check, you need not worry if a loved one has returned safely from their outdoor activities. This option is accessible from the main screen of the Android Personal Safety app.

To initiate, tap the Start Safety Check button. Choose a Reason like Walking alone, Going on a run, or Hiking, or even enter a custom reason. Select the Duration and choose the contact to notify before hitting Start.

Your phone will check in with you based on the specified duration and will inform your selected contact if you do not respond. You will receive an alert for 60 seconds. If you don’t confirm your safety, the emergency sharing feature will activate. Additionally, if your phone loses signal, the safety check remains active and will share your last known location.

You can also initiate a Safety Check using Google Assistant.

Emergency SOS

If you find yourself in a predicament where calling emergency services isn’t feasible, the Emergency SOS feature can be of great help.

Navigate to the Android Personal Safety app under Features in the Discover section and select the Manage feature button.

On the subsequent screen, tap the Turn on Emergency SOS button.

With this feature activated, you can press the Power button rapidly five times or more, and then hold the screen to trigger emergency actions.

These actions can include calling emergency services, informing your emergency contacts (which needs to be activated), and an option to Record emergency video, enabling a video of up to 45 minutes to be saved to your Google account where an Internet connection is available.

Car Crash Detection

Car Crash Detection (CCD) is a function that demands a phone with an operational SIM card. It is currently available in select countries only.

You can enable CCD from the Features tab. Click on Manage Settings to turn it on.

On the following screen, toggle on the switch for Car Crash Detection.

Bear in mind, this feature requires permissions for location, physical activity, and microphone access. If the app detects a car accident, it can automatically call emergency services for you, utilizing Android’s Emergency Location Service (if it’s available in your locality) to share your location and additional details about the incident.

Crisis Alerts

Last but not least, Crisis Alerts are offered within Features. This feature allows you to receive notifications about natural disasters and public emergencies occurring in your vicinity.

To begin, click the Set up button.

You’ll need to provide constant location access for this function to operate. If you consent, press Turn on.

Should anything arise in your area, you’ll receive a notification detailing the situation.

Keep in mind that this feature is separate from addressing alerts for Extreme threats, Severe threats, or Missing Child Alerts, which can be enabled through your Android’s Settings -> Safety & Emergency -> Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Your Android device can become an invaluable tool in multiple emergencies. If you travel frequently, you might also want to explore additional apps that can help ensure your safety while you are abroad. Moreover, as your next getaway approaches, consider our tips for conserving battery life while traveling.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots provided by Alexandra Arici.

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