How It Works And Where It’s Available

Last updated: 2025/12/10 at 2:30 PM

News Room Published 10 December 2025

Google is rolling out a new safety feature for Android users that could make a real difference during emergencies. Called Emergency Live Video, the tool allows verified responders to request a live video feed from your phone so they can see exactly what’s happening around you – in real time.

This is part of a larger push from Google to make Android more useful during critical situations, and it works on phones running Android 8 or newer with Google Play Services.

What Emergency Live Video actually does

Until now, most emergency tools have relied on your location or your ability to speak during a call. But in situations where you can’t explain what’s happening, visuals often matter more. With Emergency Live Video, a dispatcher can send a request during your 911 call or emergency text.

Here’s how it works:

You get a notification asking if you want to share live video
You tap once to start streaming
The responder sees your camera feed to assess the situation
You can stop sharing at any time

Importantly, you cannot start a live stream yourself – only a certified emergency responder can request it. Google also says all video feeds are encrypted end-to-end. This can help responders understand things like the severity of an accident, a medical situation, or even guide you through life-saving steps like CPR before help arrives.

Where is it available?

The feature is rolling out first in:

United States
Select regions in Germany
Select regions in Mexico

Google says it’s working with public safety teams worldwide, so more countries are expected to follow. Since the feature runs through Play Services, users won’t need a system update – it will appear automatically once it’s enabled in their region.