Accidental emergency calls from an Android lock screen can be a serious nuisance, and there are several ways to prevent them by changing settings and enabling protective features.
Before attempting to prevent accidental emergency calls, ensure your Android device is charged and have your PIN, pattern, or password ready as you may need to unlock your phone to access settings.
Disabling the lock screen entirely leaves your phone completely unsecured, making it accessible to anyone if you lose your device.
To reduce accidental emergency calls on Android, follow these step-by-step methods to secure your device.
Method 1 involves changing Emergency SOS settings. Open the Settings app by tapping the gear icon, then tap Safety and emergency, which may be labeled differently depending on the manufacturer. Tap Emergency SOS and turn on “Require swipe to call” to ensure pressing the side button five times requires a swipe confirmation. Restart your phone to apply the changes.
Method 2 is turning off “Double tap to turn on screen.” Open Settings, tap Advanced features, then Motions and gestures, and toggle off “Double tap to turn on screen” to prevent the screen from waking while in a pocket or purse.
Method 3 involves removing the Phone app from the lock screen. Open Settings, tap Lock screen, then Edit Lock screen. Tap the phone icon in the corner and select a different app or “No app.” Tap Done in the top right corner to save the changes.
Method 4 is enabling Accidental touch protection. Open Settings, tap Display, and toggle on Accidental touch protection, which uses the ambient light sensor to disable touch when the phone is dark. If the feature malfunctions, turn it off, restart the phone, turn it back on, and restart again to clear sensor glitches. Ensure your phone case does not cover the ambient light sensor.
Method 5, disabling the lock screen, is not recommended as it removes all security, making your phone accessible to anyone. To do this, open Settings, tap Lock screen and AOD, then Screen lock type, and tap None.
A pro tip is to consider using a case with a flip cover or a magnetic latch that keeps the screen covered and inactive when not in use if you frequently pocket-dial emergency services.
After implementing these changes, test your lock screen to ensure the emergency call feature requires a swipe or does not trigger immediately. Check that the screen does not wake up accidentally when moving your phone around.
If accidental calls still occur, revisit Method 4 and ensure the ambient light sensor is unobstructed. Keeping your software updated is also important, as manufacturers sometimes release patches that improve touch sensitivity and accidental touch protection.
