Android introduces live emergency assistance feature

A new feature coming to Android phones will allow users to share a live stream with emergency services (ambulance, police, etc.) in an emergency. The feature aims to improve response and support at the scene of an incident, such as a cardiac arrest or accident, where a dispatcher can guide the user through the application of first aid until paramedics arrive.

The Emergency Live Video feature will also be valuable in situations where the caller is unable to accurately describe what is happening, whether due to panic, shock or language. Real-time visual information can drastically change the way a dispatcher makes decisions and accelerates appropriate action.

The system works so that an operator can send a request for a live stream while calling an emergency number. The caller must confirm before the stream can begin, meaning the feature is non-intrusive and privacy-respecting. The video is automatically encrypted, and the user can stop the stream at any time.

It's a feature that Apple already offers through Emergency SOS Live Video, which was introduced in 2024. There, users can share live video or images from their gallery. Android is now following suit with an equally powerful solution.

The live stream will initially be available in the US, but is expected to come to other markets over time.