In a critical situation, your Galaxy phone or tablet can make all the difference. You can use it to make emergency calls or contact loved ones in a time of need. And if you have to act quickly, you can dial right from the Lock screen. On top of this, you can turn on Emergency mode. This will help conserve battery life by altering some of the device's functions, such as decreasing the screen’s brightness and limiting apps. With Emergency mode, your device's battery can last for a couple days.
Note: The Home screen will be changed to a black theme to reduce battery
consumption. Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and device model.
Make an emergency call from the Lock screen
When something urgent is happening, you probably won't have time to unlock your device and call 9-1-1. If you have a security measure in place, like a PIN or a biometric security, you can make an emergency call right from the Lock screen. Just swipe up on your device's screen to be taken to the Lock screen, and then tap Emergency call. A dial pad will appear where you can enter your desired number. Your registered emergency contacts will also appear at the top of the screen. Finally, a Medical info icon will appear at the bottom of the screen. Tap this to show any medical information you've added to your personal contact.
Make an emergency call with no service or SIM card
In a dire situation, you can still make emergency calls even if you don't have service or a working SIM card. As long as there is a network signal nearby, your device will let you contact 9-1-1. The network doesn't even have to be your own carrier - it just needs a signal that is strong enough to put the call through. When you need to make an emergency call, dial 9-1-1 the way you normally would.
Make a call while in Emergency mode
The Home screen in Emergency mode will only display the apps and
functions you absolutely need. This includes the Phone app and the Emergency call option.
Tap the Phone app to access all of your contacts, so you can still make a call to family members and friends. The Keypad is also available if you need to dial a new number.
Tap Emergency call at the bottom of the Home screen to dial 9-1-1. Tap Yes to activate the call.
When in Emergency mode, you will be able to use the Phone app to make a call to a specified contact and also to make emergency calls. You can also turn on the flashlight and sound alarms and send your location information to others in a message.
To turn on Emergency mode, swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers to open the Quick settings panel. Tap the Power icon, and then tap Emergency mode.
If needed, enter your lock screen credentials.
Tap the checkbox to confirm you have read the Emergency mode terms and conditions, and then tap Agree.
Tap Turn on - Emergency Mode will activate.
You can also press and hold the Power and Volume down keys simultaneously, and then tap Emergency mode.
The Emergency mode interface is very different from the regular interface you are used to. Here's what it looks like:
Flashlight: Turn the flashlight on or off.
Emergency alarm: Your phone will turn on a loud alarm.
Phone: Launch the Phone app to make calls.
Message my location: Share your location with a recipient of your choice.
Internet: Launch an internet browser, such as Samsung Internet.
If you'd like to add another app to the Emergency mode Home screen, tap More options (the three vertical dots) and then tap Edit apps. Tap Add, choose from the available apps, such as Clock or Maps, and then tap Done.
Sometimes, even in Emergency mode, you don't need certain apps. You can remove the apps you don't want to use.
While in Emergency mode, tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Edit apps.
Tap the Remove (minus) icon next to the app you wish to remove, and then tap Done.
If needed, you can add the app again later by tapping Edit apps.
Note: Some apps cannot be removed from the Home screen.
Just because the Emergency mode is bare, it doesn't mean your phone loses all of its features.
Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Settings. Tap a feature to change its settings. Only apps and features that can be used in Emergency mode will be available.
When you no longer need to worry about battery life, it's time to turn Emergency mode off.
Tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Turn off Emergency mode.
If you ever experience a true emergency, such as a flood or earthquake, you may not have the time to make a call or send out a text. Because of this, you should set up the SOS messages feature on your device. It will send out an SOS alert to emergency contacts, so they will know something is wrong. All you have to do is press the Side key or Power key a couple times to send out the alert.
To set up SOS messages, first navigate to and open Settings. Tap Safety and emergency, and then tap Send SOS messages.
Tap the switch at the top of the screen; read the information and then tap Continue.
Review the required permissions, and then tap Start. From here, select either Create contact or Select from contacts.
Make or choose your emergency contact - they will be the one who receives the SOS alerts. If desired, you can add multiple contacts.
Tap Back, and then adjust the different settings. For example, you can adjust how many times you need to press the Side key or Power key before an alert is sent. Or, you can decide if you'd like to attach images or an audio recording to the SOS message.
If you are ever in an emergency and want to send an SOS message, press the Side key or Power key three or four times rapidly. This will send an SOS message to your designated contact(s).
If you need to turn off SOS messages, navigate to Settings, then tap Safety and emergency, and then tap the switch next to Send SOS messages to turn it off.
Note: The device must have an active SIM card in order to send an SOS alert. When using the SOS feature, your location, photo, and voice recording will be sent the first time a call is made. It will send updated locations (every 30 minutes for a span of 24 hours) until the alert is stopped. This also applies to Galaxy watch devices.
Emergency contacts can be added from the Settings menu as well as directly in Emergency mode. You can also add your medical information from the Settings menu.
Navigate to and open Settings, then tap Safety and emergency, and then tap Emergency contacts.
Tap the Edit icon (the pencil), and then tap Add member. Select from your available contacts or search for someone, and then tap Done.
To add additional contacts, tap Add member again. To remove a contact, tap the Remove icon (the minus sign).
Note: You can also tap Group ringtone to select a different ringtone.
Then, tap Save to save your emergency contacts.
To add medical information, navigate back to Safety and Emergency, and then tap Medical info.
Tap the Edit icon (the pencil), and then enter your medical information using the provided categories. These include Medical conditions, Allergies, Current medications, Blood type, and Other.
Tap Save when you're finished.
To add Emergency contacts from Emergency mode, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then tap Emergency contacts, and then tap the Edit icon (the pencil). You can add your emergency contacts from here, and then view them while in Emergency mode.
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