In today’s world, it’s essential to be prepared for unexpected events, which is why mobile phones now come equipped with SOS services. However, this valuable feature is also becoming increasingly common in the Samsung Galaxy Watch series of smartwatches. These watches feature an emergency button that can come to your rescue in critical situations, making it important to understand how it operates.
Emergencies, including the need for urgent medical attention, can strike at any time. Being prepared for accidents and responding swiftly, such as by dialing 112, is crucial. Yet, there’s a way to expedite this entire process without having to unlock your smartwatch and manually dial a number.
Here’s how to use the emergency button on your Galaxy Watch:
Requirements:
Please note that the following instructions are applicable to LTE models of the Samsung Galaxy Watch. These models require a SIM card for independent operator coverage, similar to a mobile phone. Be sure to check whether your watch meets this requirement, as it affects the availability of this functionality.
Steps:
- Access the Galaxy Wearable App:
- On your Android smartphone, locate and open the ‘Galaxy Wearable’ app. Ensure that you’ve previously connected your smartwatch to this app. If you’ve just purchased the watch, you can download the app from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store.
- Configure Your Watch:
- If you’ve just acquired your watch, go through the initial setup process to start using it. Once that’s done, proceed to enable the emergency calling function for your Galaxy Watch. To do this, tap on ‘Watch settings’ within the app.
- Access Advanced Features:
- Inside the ‘Galaxy Wearable’ application on your Samsung smartwatch, navigate to the ‘Advanced Features’ section.
- Enable the SOS Feature:
- Look for a setting labeled ‘SOS’ and tap on it to access the SOS options.
- Activate SOS Function:
- Enable the function located at the top. You’ll need to accept the necessary permissions and Samsung’s privacy policy to make emergency calls from your smartwatch.
- Add Emergency Contacts:
- You can manually add emergency contacts or import them from your mobile’s contact list.
- Configure SOS Call:
- Set up the SOS call by choosing the person you want to contact in case of an emergency.
With these steps completed, your Samsung Galaxy Watch is ready to make emergency calls. To initiate a call, press the button located at the top of the right side, which is the power button. Tapping it up to three times will activate the call, and you’ll see a 5-second countdown in case you need to cancel the communication. If there’s no interruption, the device will place the call to your selected emergency contact in the event of danger, an accident, or a fall.
It’s important to note that this feature is available on all Samsung watch models since the first Galaxy Watch Active. However, remember that it is mandatory for your watch to be the version that operates using a SIM card, as Bluetooth-only models cannot make independent calls and require a constant connection to your smartphone.