Android and iOS are rapidly adopting emergency SOS features. iPhone 14 models ship with the much acclaimed “Emergency SOS via Satellite” feature that allows users to send SOS messages even when there is no Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Similarly, Android has given a renewed focus to its Emergency SOS features, starting with Android 12. While these emergency measures are important, they all have limits. If you own an Android device and would love to add an extra layer of security, here’s how to add a panic button to your Android smartphone.
Why do you need an emergency panic button?
While we would all like to be safe, emergencies do happen from time to time. It could be a burglary, a medical emergency, or something completely unexpected. A common theme in emergencies is uncertainty and panic. You do not know what to expect next and you may be unable to act wisely. Sometimes logical thinking goes out the window.
The best time to plan for an emergency is before it happens. A good way to do this is to create an emergency panic button on your Android smartphone. A feature that will execute every pre-programmed logical modus operandi while you may be too deep in panic to think clearly.
So, how do you create an emergency panic button on your Android smartphone?
How to Add a Panic Button to Your Android.
Smartphone using MacroDroid
Other than Android’s native SOS features, there are no hidden emergency features that you can deploy. To create the panic button, we will be using the Android automation app MacroDroid. There are several other free automation apps you can use to achieve similar results, but MacroDroid is one of the easiest to use.
Of course, there are many more emergency actions that you can add to the list. For example, you could send your location via SMS every three minutes or perhaps secretly record video or take pictures. However, for the sake of brevity, we will stick to these two verbs.
Create a Quick Settings Button and Trigger
With that said, it’s time to create a trigger for our SOS message. In this case the trigger is going to be a button on the quick settings menu. Once pressed, it should trigger all of our preprogrammed SOS functions.
This must be done in order to share your location with a trusted contact. You can repeat the steps to share your location with as many contacts as you want. The next emergency action to incorporate is to secretly call 911.
Add Your Panic Button to the Quick Settings Panel
With that said, there’s one last step you’ll need to complete in order to get your Panic Button into your Quick Settings menu.
Your panic button should be up and running. If you’ve followed the entire procedure up to this point, tapping the panic button should execute all of your preprogrammed actions.
If you’re having any difficulties customizing your Quick Settings, check out this detailed guide on how to add custom Quick Settings shortcuts to your Android Quick Settings menu.
there is room for improvement
For the scope of this article, we’ve decided to stick with the basic features. However, there is a lot of room for improvement.
There are endless emergency measures you can take, it just takes a little creativity.
MacroDroid is a useful tool for emergencies
It is our desire to avoid emergencies and dangerous situations, but it is important to be prepared if we ever find ourselves in one. Using a MacroDroid to hack an SOS feature may not be the perfect emergency solution, but with a little ingenuity, it can be a lifesaver when it matters most.