Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Customers proceed to report numerous points with calling 911 emergency providers on a number of Google Pixel smartphones.
- These incidents have continued to happen after a presumably associated bug was highlighted and glued in January 2022.
Again in late 2021, stories had emerged of a bizarre bug on Google Pixel units that may render them unable to hook up with 911 emergency providers. The problem was traced to Microsoft Groups, and each Google and Microsoft issued fixes in early 2022. However it appears that evidently 911 calling continues to be considerably randomly damaged on Google Pixel units, and a few customers are discovering this out the onerous approach.
Redditor /u/TonyStamp595SO discovered themselves in an unlucky scenario the place they wanted to hook up with emergency providers instantly. They tried dialing 911 from their Pixel 7, however the cellphone failed to attach. The cellphone would maintain dropping the decision inside a second of urgent the decision button, which occurred for 3 makes an attempt. The Redditor tried dialing from their Pixel 6 Professional subsequent, and it linked instantly, and the emergency was dealt with.
This incident by itself is harrowing. However because it seems, Redditor /u/10-1-100 compiled over 20 such stories final yr. The actual kicker is that these stories exclude stories older than 2022, as that would come with a publicly acknowledged bug that was subsequently “fastened.” The compilation was final up to date in January 2023, so there could also be different stories that haven’t but been highlighted between then and now.
There are many variables throughout the stories, starting from completely different carriers to Wi-Fi calling. What’s frequent in these stories is that the gadget is a Google Pixel smartphone.
To make clear, this bug doesn’t happen on all Pixel units. Many customers report anticipated habits when contacting emergency providers. Nonetheless, for these unlucky stories highlighted above, the cellphone didn’t reliably hook up with emergency providers when it was actually wanted.
We’ve contacted Google for an announcement and to be taught extra concerning the difficulty. We’ll replace this text once we hear again from them.
Within the meantime, you may attempt to schedule a “take a look at” name to verify that emergency calling is working in your Pixel smartphone. Keep in mind that you could be or could not face points even after a profitable take a look at.
Easy methods to schedule a “take a look at” name to make sure that 911 emergency calling is working in your cellphone
In response to 911.gov (the official web site for the Nationwide 911 Program within the US), you may schedule a take a look at name to test whether or not your Pixel smartphone can efficiently place a 911 name. Nonetheless, a take a look at name is completely different from straight calling the emergency service!
Do NOT straight name 911 for non-emergency “take a look at” calls. Please schedule a name by contacting the non-emergency cellphone quantity first.
As an alternative of straight calling 911, you’ll want to schedule a take a look at name along with your native 911 name middle by contacting its non-emergency cellphone quantity.
- The web site advises visiting the Nationwide Affiliation of State 911 Directors web site.
- Choose the state the place you reside. This can present you the main points of your 911 administrator.
- Contact the administrator to seek out out the non-emergency variety of your native 911 name middle to schedule a take a look at name.
- Name the non-emergency quantity to schedule a day and time for a take a look at name.
- Make the take a look at name throughout this scheduled slot solely.
If or can find the non-emergency cellphone variety of your native PSAP (Public Security Answering Level), you may inquire with them to schedule a take a look at name while not having to route via the 911 administrator.
