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Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

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Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#31
post #29
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, I can't turn it off and it was always from a locked screen, I think it's a legal requirement in the EU. I now keep my phone always with the screen turned away from my leg in my pocket and that seems to prevent it well enough, even though I still often get to almost calling 911 when I take it out of my pocket with my hand.

> I can't turn it off and it was always from a locked screen, I think it's a legal requirement But my question was: what is the it that your phone has? I don't have such a button on my lock screen. There's a camera and a flashlight shortcut (too few shortcuts for my liking but better than bare android with zero shortcuts)

There is a large button underneath the number pad where you enter your PIN and it says Emergency Call. It works even when the SIM is still locked.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#32
post #21

When my OnePlus 8T lags, I sometimes press the power button a few times, because I'm impatient and I'm trying to get the screen to turn on. Pressing the power button 5 times dials the emergency service number by default, so I've almost called emergency services a few times already. I usually manage to cancel it before it dials, but wow.

Just tested on pixel 7a.

When I click the power button 5x, a screen appears with:

- A large circle in the middle of the screen, which I have to press and hold for 3 seconds to initiate the call.

- A slider to cancel the screen entirely

So just hitting the powerbutton 5x does not actually make the call on Pixel 7a, just makes it easier.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#33

My experience has been Pixel phones suck for calls in general. I know of 3 people with Pixel 3As that intermittently can’t receive calls. Often it takes 2-3 calls to these people in order to get 1 to go through. Setting the phones to prefer 4G has so far fixed the problem most reliably but the whole calling stack on pixel phones needs some work IMO.

I have a pixel 6 pro and this has been my experience since they day I got it. I even had it replaced and still have to reset the cellular modem several times per week because I get the no service `!`.

Starting to believe it is a T-Mobile service issue in my area. Previously had a pixel 2 on Verizon and never had a problem. Planning to leave T-Mobile in the near future.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#34
post #31
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I can't turn it off and it was always from a locked screen, I think it's a legal requirement But my question was: what is the it that your phone has? I don't have such a button on my lock screen. There's a camera and a flashlight shortcut (too few shortcuts for my liking but better than bare android with zero shortcuts)

There is a large button underneath the number pad where you enter your PIN and it says Emergency Call. It works even when the SIM is still locked.

Ah, right yes that makes sense. I don't want to bother with entering a password on a device I use dozens of times a day so never set one, that explains why I don't see such a button: people can just get to the dialer if they need to call a number while I'm incapacitated

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#35
post #11

It's really absurd how such a problem still exists. Couldn't a separate method be used for emergency calling? For example drop to 3g, don't use the dialer app but a separate "emergency" app.

Having dedicated code path for 911 is literally the problem. It makes it legally almost impossible to test in many countries (since in many countries you're not allowed to dial 911 if you don't have an emergency)

Test in a Faraday cage with an isolated base station.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#36
post #15

They are so lucky. My Samsung Phone already called 911 several times, while I had it in my pocket. And every time I have to explain why. I guess I'll get a Pixel next time.

It seems absolutely insane to me not to immediately get a new phone the first time that happens.

Well I have to now, because the screen also stopped working 90% of the time, except when I put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. Just 2 months that the phone is conveniently out of warranty. I guess it's the last Samsung Phone I'll ever buy.

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems absolutely insane to me not to immediately get a new phone the first time that happens.

It is "absolutely insane" that people don't spend $500-$1K on a new phone the "first time that happens?"

[dead]

Re: Some Pixel owners still can't dial 911 during an emergency

#39
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Being able to call 911 is an essential part of a phone. To the point that Apple (and I'm assuming Google) both allow calling emergency services while the phone is locked.

In lots of countries it's also possible to call emergency numbers without a sim card.
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