Google Pixel Smartphones Still Have Problems Calling 911.
Google’s Pixel phones have been experiencing intermittent problems connecting to emergency services for the past few years, and the issue has flared up again. Over the past 24 hours, several Reddit users have complained about being unable to call emergency services, while Canadian carrier Bell has warned that the Pixel 6 and later models are also experiencing problems connecting to emergency services on its network.
According to user Fabulous_Disaster730, who shared yesterday about her difficulties contacting emergency services during the gas leak, her Pixel 9 Pro repeatedly prompted her to turn on Wi-Fi calling or turn off airplane mode before she could call 911, despite having a full 5G and Wi-Fi signal. Afterward, the phone froze and rebooted. After several attempts, she decided to ask a friend to call for her.
Numerous replies mentioned that we encountered similar issues yesterday across different networks and different Pixel models. However, Bell was the only carrier to issue an official notice.
Beyond the obvious danger, the problem with this error is its volatility. Despite the apparent surge in activity yesterday, the problem has been known since 2021. However, it doesn’t affect all users, and it’s impossible to predict exactly when and how it will manifest. While calls have recently been simply not going through, one user reported two months ago that their call was going through, but all they heard on the other end was screeching and crackling. These recent reports are just the latest in a growing problem.
It’s also unclear what’s causing the issue. In 2021, it was attributed to Microsoft Teams , but even after a fix , users are still experiencing problems. To Google’s credit, Bell stated that it contacted the company shortly after learning of yesterday’s spike in calls and subsequently announced a fix. However, other carriers haven’t issued similar notices, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more users start complaining in the future.
It’s worth noting that Bell mentioned that this time the issue affected users of the Pixel 6 and later models, and that the Pixel 6 was also released in 2021, when this bug was first reported. Whatever the nature of the issue, I wouldn’t be surprised if it also affected the Pixel 6, but hasn’t been resolved yet.
However, given the severity of the issue, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. I’ve reached out to Google for comment and will update this post as soon as I hear back. In the meantime, it’s best to be prepared for the worst. If you have a Pixel phone, here’s what you can do to call 911 in an emergency:
First, try calling 911.
If you have time and the danger isn’t immediate, it’s worth trying to call 911 from your Pixel despite the issues. While the number of users reporting issues has increased recently, it’s still not a universal problem. Your call may still be delivered without issue.
You can also text 911.
If you can’t call 911, remember that in some jurisdictions ( check this regularly updated list to see if this service is supported in your area), you can also contact 911 via text message . This is a slower way to request help, but it’s still better than nothing. To send a text message to 911, open your texting app, select 911 as the recipient, and write a brief message about your problem, your location, and any necessary details, such as a street intersection, landmarks, a specific place to hide, or whether you can speak.
Use a backup phone
While I wouldn’t expect anyone who isn’t a lifelong tech enthusiast to have multiple phones on hand, the most reliable way to guarantee a 911 call if you have a Pixel is to have a spare non-Pixel phone on hand. This could be a landline or another mobile phone. It’s important that it’s an older phone, even if it’s not on a data plan. If your phone can connect to a network, it’s legally required to be able to call 911, so if you have an old phone that you upgraded from and haven’t returned, it might be wise to keep it charged in case you need it in an emergency.