How to Set Up the Android Personal Safety App

The Personal Safety app on Android (Pixel phones) includes crash detection, emergency SOS, and a crisis contact list — key safety features worth configuring.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Find the Personal Safety app
2.Set up emergency contacts
3.Fill in your medical information
4.Enable Car Crash Detection (Pixel phones)
5.Learn the Emergency SOS gesture

Find the Personal Safety app

~15s

On Pixel phones, search "Personal Safety" in your app list. On Samsung Galaxy: go to SettingsSafety & Emergency. On other Android phones: SettingsEmergency SOS.

Set up emergency contacts

~15s

Open the app → tap "Emergency Contacts" → "Add contact." Choose contacts from your phone book who should be notified in an emergency. They receive your location and a safety alert automatically when you trigger Emergency SOS.

Fill in your medical information

~17s

Tap "Medical Info" and enter your name, blood type, known allergies, current medications, and any medical conditions. This appears on your lock screen so first responders can see it without unlocking your phone.

Quick Tip

Keep this information current. An outdated medication list can be as dangerous as no list at all.

Enable Car Crash Detection (Pixel phones)

~15s

In the Personal Safety appCar Crash Detection → toggle on. The phone uses sensors to detect crash patterns. If triggered and you do not respond within 60 seconds, it calls 911 automatically.

Learn the Emergency SOS gesture

~23s

Press the power button rapidly five times in a row to trigger Emergency SOS. The phone sounds an alarm, calls 911, and texts your emergency contacts with your location. Practice the gesture — five quick presses — so you remember it in an emergency.

Warning

Be careful with Emergency SOS — false triggers do happen. If you accidentally trigger it, you have a brief window to cancel before the call connects.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Set Up the Android Personal Safety App

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

The Personal Safety app is a built-in safety app on Google Pixel phones (running Android 8.1 and later). It consolidates multiple safety features into one place.

Features of the Personal Safety app

Car Crash Detection

: The Pixel detects sudden deceleration patterns that indicate a car crash. If a crash is detected and you are unresponsive, the phone plays a loud alarm, notifies your emergency contacts, and calls 911 automatically after 60 seconds.

Emergency SOS

: Press the power button rapidly five times to trigger Emergency SOS. This calls 911, sounds an alarm, and sends your location to emergency contacts with a text message.

Emergency contacts

: Add the people who should be notified in an emergency. They receive your GPS location and a message when Emergency SOS is triggered.

Medical information

: Enter your blood type, allergies, current medications, and conditions. This information shows on your lock screen and is accessible to first responders without unlocking your phone.

Crisis alerts

: Shows county-level emergency alerts for natural disasters, Amber alerts, and extreme weather.

This app is built in on Pixel phones. Samsung and other Android brands have similar features (Samsung calls it "Emergency SOS" and includes it in Safety & Emergency settings). Check your phone's settings for "Emergency" or "Safety" to find your device's equivalent.

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

android

personal safety

emergency sos

crash detection

pixel