Share live video with emergency services to get the help you need

3 min read Original article ↗

Launching today, Android Emergency Live Video helps you share vital visual information with emergency services in a single tap.

General summary

Emergency Live Video is launching on Android to help you share real-time video with emergency services. With one tap you can stream your camera to dispatchers so they can assess the situation and send the right help. The feature is encrypted and available in the U.S. plus parts of Germany and Mexico on Android 8+ devices.

Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.

Bullet points

  • "Share live video with emergency services" is about getting help faster in emergencies.
  • Android's new Emergency Live Video lets you stream to dispatchers during calls or texts.
  • With one tap, securely share live video so responders can see what's happening.
  • This real-time view helps them assess the situation and guide you through life-saving steps.
  • It's rolling out in the U.S., Germany, and Mexico on Android 8+ phones.

Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.

Basic explainer

Android has a new tool called Emergency Live Video. If you call for help, they can ask to see what's happening through your phone's camera. This helps them understand the situation and send the right help fast. You can choose to share or stop sharing the video anytime.

Summaries were generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental.

Explore other styles:

Sharing a live video on a device of a downed tree

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This content is generated by Google AI. Generative AI is experimental

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In an emergency, every second counts. But it can be hard to describe exactly what’s happening, especially when you’re stressed or in danger. Whether it’s a car accident, a medical crisis or a rapidly moving wildfire, giving emergency responders eyes on the situation can make all the difference.

Starting today, we’re introducing Emergency Live Video on Android. During an emergency call or text, a dispatcher can send a request to your phone to share live video. With a single tap, you can start securely streaming from your camera, allowing responders to quickly assess the situation and get you the right help in the moment. This real-time view can also help them guide you through life-saving steps, like CPR, until help arrives.

How Emergency Live Video works

We designed the feature to be simple and secure, with no setup required. During an emergency call or text, if the responder determines that seeing the scene would be helpful and it’s safe to do so, they can send a request to your device. You’ll see a prompt on your screen, and you can choose to start securely sharing your camera’s live video with one tap. The feature is encrypted by default, and you are always in control of whether your video is shared, and can stop sharing instantly at any time.

Emergency live video capture of a fallen tree in the road

Android Emergency Live Video builds on our work to make it easier to get help and provide users peace of mind through features like Emergency Location Service, Car Crash and Fall Detection, and Satellite SOS. The feature is rolling out today across the U.S., as well as select regions of Germany and Mexico, and is supported on Android phones running Android 8+ with Google Play services. We are closely working with public safety organizations around the world to expand this capability to more regions.

Public safety organizations interested in partnering to bring Emergency Live Video to their region can find more information in our partner documentation.

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