How to Set Up Emergency Contacts on Android: Step-by-Step Guide
Setting up emergency contacts on an Android phone means that if you are ever unwell or hurt, the right people can be reached quickly. Helpfully, ambulance staff or a passer-by can see this information without needing to unlock your phone. For choosing the phone itself, see our guide to the best smartphone for seniors in Australia.
This guide walks through adding emergency contacts and medical information on an Android phone, and how that information appears on the lock screen. The steps cover Samsung Galaxy and most other Android phones. If a menu name is slightly different on your phone, the wording in this guide will still point you the right way.
Quick answer
On Android, open Settings and tap Safety and emergency. Tap Emergency contacts to add the people who should be called, then tap Medical info to add any health details. Turn on Show on lock screen for both, so the information can be reached in an emergency without your passcode.
How to add your emergency contacts
Emergency contacts are the people who should be called first if something happens to you. Many people add a partner, an adult child, or a close friend. You can add more than one.
1. Open Settings and tap Safety and emergency
Tap the grey Settings icon. Scroll down to find Safety and emergency and tap it. If you cannot see it, tap the search box at the top of Settings and type “emergency”.
2. Tap Emergency contacts
On the Safety and emergency screen, tap Emergency contacts. This is where the people to be called in an emergency are stored.
3. Add a person from your contacts
Tap Add member or Add contact, then choose someone from your saved contacts. The person needs to already be saved in your phone. Repeat this to add a second or third person if you wish.
4. Turn on Show on lock screen
Look for a switch called Show on lock screen and turn it on so it is green. This lets someone reach your contacts in an emergency even if they cannot unlock your phone.
How to add your medical information
Medical information can help ambulance staff treat you safely. It is optional, but useful details include allergies, medical conditions, current medicines and your blood type.
1. In Safety and emergency, tap Medical info
Go back to the Safety and emergency screen and tap Medical info, sometimes called Medical information.
2. Enter the details you want to share
Fill in only what you are comfortable sharing, such as allergies or a key condition. Tap Save when you are done. You can come back and update this at any time.
3. Turn on Show on lock screen
Turn on Show on lock screen for your medical info too, so it can be viewed in an emergency without a passcode.
How the information is reached in an emergency
Once this is set up, someone helping you does not need your passcode. On the locked phone, they tap the screen to wake it, tap Emergency call, then tap Emergency information or View medical info. Your contacts and details appear there.
In Australia, the emergency number is Triple Zero (000). It can always be dialled from the Emergency call screen, even on a locked phone. If you also have an iPhone in the family, our guide on how to add emergency contacts on iPhone covers the same steps for Apple devices.
A few things to check first
- Save the contact first. The person must already be in your phone’s contacts before you can add them as an emergency contact.
- Menu names vary slightly. Samsung, Google, Oppo and Motorola phones may word things a little differently, but Safety and emergency is the place to look. Searching Settings for “emergency” finds it quickly.
- Check the lock screen switch. The information is only reachable without a passcode if Show on lock screen is turned on.
- Tell your contacts. Let the people you add know, so they are not surprised if they receive a call.
If you are still choosing a phone or helping a parent set one up, see our guides on simple Samsung phones for seniors and how to choose a phone for an older parent.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: Emergency contacts on Android
Can someone see my contacts without my passcode?
Yes, but only the emergency information you chose to share, and only if Show on lock screen is turned on. The rest of your phone stays locked and private.
What if my phone does not have Safety and emergency?
A few older Android phones use a different layout. Open Settings, tap the search box, and type “emergency”. This usually finds the emergency contacts and medical info settings wherever they live.
Do I have to add medical information?
No. Medical info is optional. You can add emergency contacts only, and fill in medical details later if you wish.
Is this the same as a medical alarm?
No. This stores contact and health details on your phone. A medical alarm is a separate device that calls for help at the press of a button, which can suit people who want extra support at home.
Will it work if I am out of mobile coverage?
Your saved contacts and medical info can still be viewed on the phone. Making a call or dialling Triple Zero (000) still needs some network signal, so it is one part of staying safe, not the only one.
