New Safety Feature for Pixel Watch: Confirm before calling for help

Google is making an important change to the Emergency SOS feature on the Pixel Watch to stop accidental calls, especially when you’re moving around, like during a workout.

To use Emergency SOS, you used to press the watch’s crown five times in a row. This would then start a 5-second countdown before automatically calling for help. But now, there’s an extra step: after pressing the crown, you must hold the screen for 3 seconds to actually make the call.

This new step helps avoid accidental calls. If you don’t hold the screen, the Emergency SOS option will go away after 20 seconds.

This update will be the new standard way to activate Emergency SOS. However, if you prefer the old way, you can switch back to what’s now called “Automatic call.” Here’s how:

Swipe down on your Pixel Watch.
Go to Settings, then Safety and emergency, and tap on Emergency SOS.
Find Ways to start SOS and choose Automatically call.

This change will start appearing on watches in the coming weeks, but it’s not available just yet.

Remember, if you accidentally dial emergency services, don’t hang up. Instead, explain that it was a mistake and that you don’t need help.