‘Satellite SOS’ is coming to Google Pixel, here’s what it will do

There is a satellite connection for smartphones proved to be valuable On the Apple iPhone, however, it’s a feature that’s struggled to get out of the gate on Android devices. However, a new ‘Satellite SOS’ feature started appearing on Google Pixel phones this week, and we have a sneak peek at what it can do.

If you go to Settings > Security & emergency on a Pixel phone today, you’ll likely see “Satellite SOS” appear between Emergency SOS and Car Crash Detection. Google made this setting widely available to almost all Pixel devices through a recent update to its apparently buggy Adaptive Connectivity Services.

But currently the feature does nothing. Tapping “Satellite SOS” on a Google Pixel device doesn’t open any menus, but it will soon.

With a rooted Pixel, we were able to access the menu that Google designed for this feature. The Satellite SOS page explains:

With Pixel, you can message emergency services and share your location when you can’t connect to a cellular or Wi-Fi network.

The page explains that you can call or text emergency services, share your location using Google Maps, and answer emergency questions. There’s no word on whether you’ll be able to contact anyone outside of emergency services, but Google also details that it will share your name and phone number from your Google account, along with three emergency contacts.

Google repeats what details are shared at the bottom of the page:

When you contact emergency services via satellite, your name, email, phone number, location, device information (IMEI, language, model, battery level) and emergency information are shared with emergency services and satellite service providers.

The page links to the Google support page on which countries are supported by Satellite SOS, but unfortunately the page is not yet live. There is also one a transition Garmin Search and Rescue Insurance plan. Note that Google Messages has previously shown signs of using Garmin services for satellite connectivity.

There are demos for satellite connection, but neither “Try Demo” nor “Try Real Mode” are currently working.

It’s unclear when Google intends to make this feature live, but the fact that the shortcut is widely seen on Pixel phones today and how obvious this behind-the-scenes settings menu is suggests that’s not the case. too away

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