New Play Services update brings real-time video to SOS calls
Google is introducing an integrated live-video experience for emergency calls through its November Google Play Services update, enabling selected users to share real-time footage with first responders during incidents in supported regions.
The update, which has begun rolling out and is scheduled to reach more devices in the coming weeks, embeds live video directly into emergency calling workflows. When users contact emergency services, participating dispatch centers will be able to request temporary access to the caller’s camera, subject to local infrastructure and compatibility. The system is designed so the request originates from authorized dispatchers, and the user must explicitly grant permission before any visual information is transmitted.
This functionality expands on existing safety tools available on Google’s Pixel phones, where users can already record and share emergency videos after an event begins. The November update extends those capabilities by enabling continuous live streaming from the device to responders, giving call-takers a direct view of evolving conditions rather than relying solely on voice descriptions or previously captured clips.
Operation of the feature closely aligns with Apple’s Emergency SOS implementation in iOS 18, which similarly allows dispatchers to initiate a camera access request during emergency interactions. Under Google’s approach, the live video feed is not necessarily stored on the caller’s device, reducing on-device retention of sensitive footage. Google’s description indicates that dispatch centers may retain or archive the incoming video on their own systems when deemed operationally necessary, subject to their policies and applicable regulations, though full technical and procedural details will become clear as deployments proceed.