Apple just announced that its latest Apple Watches can detect car crashes. But did it know that Pixel phones have been able do this for over a year? Your Google Pixel can determine if you have been involved in an accident by using your location, motion sensors and ambient audio. If it does, it will sound an alarm to let you know that everything is fine and help you call 911. We highly recommend this feature, and today we’ll show you how you can turn it on.
How to enable car accident detection on a Google Pixel
- You can open the Personal SafetyApp (it is pre-installed on your Pixel). Or, you can go to system SettingScroll down to safety & emergencyClick on the button and then tap on Open personal safety.
- You’ll need to register if you are opening the Personal Safety app for the first time. Run through the entire setup.
- After you’ve reached the Personal Safety app home screen, tap on the Icon of gearThe upper-left corner.
- Tap Car crash detection.
- Tap The toggleTurn it on. To toggle it on/off, slide the toggle left to the right.
- Car crash detection requires additional permissions to be enabled once it is activated. Tap This app can be used while you are using itAllow the app to access the permissions requested when Personal Safety is enabled.
You can click the button to try a demo of car crash detection from that page.
The Pixel vibrates when there is a crash and sounds an alarm. The Assistant will then speak to you and tell you to say “Emergency” to get it to dial 911. You can also choose to say “Cancel” to let it know that everything is okay.
You can indicate if you were involved in a minor accident or not by saying “Cancel” or tapping the “I’m Okay” button on your screen. You can help Google improve the accuracy of its detection methods by doing this.
You can also see the exact location of your Pixel on the Pixel’s display if you need to call 911.
Although we do hope you don’t need car crash detection on Pixel, in the unlikely event that it does, it’s comforting to know that there are safety measures in place.
