Android users in India have gotten a major life-saving feature upgrade. In a move aimed at drastically reducing emergency response times, Google has activated its Emergency Location Service (ELS) for Android users across India. This life-saving feature allows local emergency services to pinpoint a caller’s location with high precision during a crisis, even in areas where traditional GPS might struggle.
When a user dials an emergency number (such as 112), ELS automatically activates to send the device’s most accurate location directly to emergency responders. Unlike standard location sharing, ELS is designed to work indoors and in dense urban environments by using a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and on-device sensors.
How Android ELS works in India
Traditionally, emergency service operators rely on cell tower triangulation, which can have a margin of error of several kilometers. Google’s ELS reduces this to just a few meters. Crucially, the service is not an app. It is a built-in feature of the Android operating system that remains inactive until an emergency call is initiated.
To ensure privacy, Google specifies that the location data is calculated on the device and sent directly to the emergency endpoint without passing through Google’s servers.
How to enable ELS on your Android device
Most modern Android phones (running Android 4.4 or higher) have this feature enabled by default, but users are encouraged to verify their settings manually:
– Open Settings: Navigate to the “Settings” menu on your Android smartphone.
– Access Safety & Emergency: Scroll down and tap on “Safety & Emergency” (on some devices, this may be under “Location” > “Advanced”).
– Toggle ELS: Locate “Emergency Location Service” and ensure the toggle is switched to “On.”
– Check Medical Information: In the same menu, it is recommended to fill out your “Medical Information” and “Emergency Contacts,” which can be accessed by first responders even if the phone is locked.
How ELS benefits Indian users
– 112 integration: The service is fully compatible with India’s all-in-one emergency helpline, 112.
– Low power consumption: ELS only activates during the call, ensuring it doesn’t drain the battery during normal use.
– No data required: The location can be sent via Data SMS or over an internet connection, increasing the chances of the information reaching the control room in low-signal areas.
Cybersecurity experts suggest that while ELS is a powerful tool, users should still be prepared to describe their location verbally if possible. They also warn that while ELS is reliable, it requires Google Play Services to be updated to the latest version to function correctly.
Note that the ELS feature is available on devices running Android 6.0 and newer versions. The feature is currently activated in the state of Uttar Pradesh and will be expanded to more regions in the coming days.
