Smart voice assistants may seem like lifesavers in a pinch, but can Alexa call 911? Can Siri, Google Assistant, or even Bixby contact 911 if you’re unable to dial your phone? While some voice assistants can call 911 for you, others can’t. But all of them offer at least some type of hands-free method to get help in an emergency.
Tip: are you using both Alexa and Siri? Learn the benefits of using two smart assistants.
Can Alexa Call 911?
No. Alexa doesn’t directly support calling 911. This applies to Amazon Echo devices and mobile devices that are using Alexa as the voice assistant.
However, Amazon doesn’t want Alexa to be completely useless in an emergency. While Alexa can’t call 911, it can call an emergency contact. Then, they’ll call 911 for you.
Set up an emergency contact by tapping Communicate in the Alexa app. You must do this from the mobile app instead of an Echo device. Tap the Contacts icon, tap the three-dot menu by the desired contact, and select Add as Emergency Contact.
Go through the prompts to finish the setup. Alexa will notify your contact that they’ve been selected as an emergency contact.
Once you’re set up, and an emergency arises, say “Alexa,” followed by either “Call for help” or “Call my emergency contact.” And no, you can’t add 911 as the emergency contact.
Previously, Amazon also offered Guard Plus, a subscription service that gave you access to the Emergency Helpline. This 24/7 service lets you contact an agent at any time in an emergency. However, it’s currently not available for purchase.
Alternatively, use an Alexa skill to contact emergency contacts with your voice. Ask My Buddy and My SOS Family are two popular, free options. The latter will alert your contacts if you don’t check in within a time period that you set.
Good to know: wondering what the different colors of Echo Light rings mean? We provide the answers.
Can Siri Call 911?
Yes, Siri can call 911. All you have to do is say, “Hey Siri, call 911.” This works on iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. Ensure that you have the voice assistant set up properly by going to Settings -> Siri & Search -> Listen for, and look for “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” or “Hey Siri” to be enabled.
For Macs and iPads, Siri tells you to use your phone instead. If you set up Wi-Fi calling on your Mac and have your iPhone connected to the same Wi-Fi network, asking Siri on your Mac to call 911 automatically makes the call via your iPhone.
If you don’t want to use Siri, text 911 instead. Please note that texting 911 only works in areas that support it. Some areas aren’t set up to receive emergency text messages.
For iPhones, open the Messages app, add 911 into the To field, then enter your message. For Apple Watch, open the Messages app, and tap New Message -> New Contact. Enter 911, and tap OK. Enter your message, and select SMS. You can create your message by typing it, writing with your finger, or dictating via the microphone.
Once you send your 911 text, your device enters emergency mode for 30 minutes. Restart your device to get out of this mode.
For full details about using Apple’s Emergency SOS services, including contacting 911 via satellite when you’re out of cell range, see our detailed guide.
Tip: learn how to use Siri better with these Siri shortcuts.
Can Google Assistant Call 911?
Yes, Google Assistant can call 911. All you have to say is “Hey Google, call 911.” This works best if you have Google Assistant available on your lock screen. Otherwise, you’d need to unlock your device, then ask Google to call 911.
Unlock your phone and say, “Hey Google, open Assistant settings.” If there’s no response, you may need to manually start Google Assistant using your device’s specific shortcut button or icon. This varies by device.
Scroll down to Lock Screen in the All Settings list. Tap Allow responses on Lock Screen. Now, when you say “Hey Google,” the Assistant responds even if your phone is locked.
For Google Home products, like the Google Nest Hub or Hub Max, you can’t call 911 directly. Instead, you’ll need a Nest Aware subscription. Once you’ve subscribed, configure emergency calling from within the Google Home app, then set up and confirm your home address, which is given to 911 dispatchers.
Make an emergency call directly from the Google Home app when you get an emergency alert, such as a smoke alarm going off, or if you just need help due to a fall or medical condition. Please note, when you use the app, 911 dispatchers are given your home address, no matter where you make the call from. If you need 911 at another location, you must either use Google Assistant on a mobile device or dial 911 directly from your phone.
Tip: learn how to turn off Google Assistant on any device.
Can Bixby Call 911?
Yes. Bixby can call 911. Much like Siri, just say “Hi Bixby, call 911.” You can also tell Bixby to dial 911. By default, the power button on Samsung devices wakes up Bixby before you start talking. If you’d prefer to wake up Bixby via your voice, turn on the Wake with Hi Bixby option.
Either open Bixby using the Bixby key on your device or via the Bixby app. Tap the compass icon and the three dots for more options. Tap Settings -> Voice wake-up, then turn on Wake with “Hi, Bixby.”
You can make Bixby more responsive by turning on Respond to my voice or Recognize voice (depends on your Samsung model). Follow the prompts to teach Bixby to recognize your voice and even adjust Bixby’s listening sensitivity.
Remember, Samsung is an Android device, even if it’s a bit different. This means both Bixby and Google Assistant are installed by default, so you can use either one to call 911.
Tip: tired of Bixby? Learn how to disable Bixby on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
Can 911 Operators Locate You?
If you call 911 using a voice assistant, it’s still possible for your call to get disconnected, or you may pass out and not be able to speak to the 911 operator. Your voice assistant can’t talk for you.
With landline phones, 911 operators trace your location, even if you can’t say anything to them. With mobile devices, operators use the closest cell towers to figure out your location. It’s not always as exact, but it’s pretty close. Even if you can’t speak for some reason after starting the 911 call, they should still be able to trace your location.
Yes, You Can Call 911 With Your Voice
The short answer is yes, you can call 911 with most voice assistants. Alexa makes it more complicated, but it’s still possible through your emergency contact. If you’re using Google Assistant, ensure that Google Play Services isn’t draining your battery. If you’re using an Apple Watch, learn how to use the Backtrack feature to avoid the need for emergency services if you get lost.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
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