These updates are rolling out with version 2021.08.27 of Personal Safety, as noted by XDA. The revelation comes via the Telegram group ‘GooglePixels.’ Users can access the emergency SOS feature inside the app’s settings page. Here, Pixel owners can configure what the power button can do when it is pressed five times. Options include calling emergency hotline services, sharing real-time status updates on their location, remaining battery life, and so on.
Video recordings in an SOS situation stay on the cloud for 7 days
As for the video recording feature, Google said that videos can be up to 45 minutes in length. Moreover, the video size is roughly 10MB per minute due to compression protocols. Videos are automatically backed up to the user’s Google account in the cloud. This, in turn, means that the feature can only work when there’s an active internet connection. Following the video upload, users can customize the Personal Safety app to automatically share it with their emergency contacts or just keep it within the app. Additionally, users have the option to turn off the alarm sound during the countdown for the emergency SOS. This allows users to send an SOS without making too much noise. Users have around 5 seconds to cancel the SOS in case it wasn’t intentional. When the SOS goes through, users will see a camera viewfinder on their screen along with multiple buttons to guide them through the emergency. If automatic information sharing is not enabled, these onscreen buttons can help users manually send information through. The screen will also allow users to switch from the front camera to the rear camera and vice versa. When a video starts recording in an SOS situation, users can tap the “stop” button on the screen to halt the process. Google keeps the videos on the cloud for 7 days before erasing them. However, the company allows users to get a link for the video file prior to its deletion. The videos will be available on personalsafety.google.com. Users on Android 12 can access this feature via Settings – Safety & emergency.
