How to turn off Emergency SOS on your Galaxy phone

Galaxy devices with One UI 5.0 or higher have an Emergency SOS function that lets users make an emergency call by quickly pressing the side button 5 times. You may be able to turn this off, depending on which software update your smartphone has. Find out more in the two sections below.

Animated graphic of a person making SOS call with a Galaxy device.

After the June 2023 software update, it is not possible to turn off Emergency SOS automatic dialling. However, you can enter a null number to dial, effectively disabling the Emergency SOS call.

Please note: If you enter a null number, you will not be able to use the Emergency SOS shortcut to make a real emergency call.

1 Open Settings
Settings app icon
2 Tap Safety and emergency
"Safety and emergency" selected in Settings menu
3 Tap Emergency SOS
"Emergency SOS" selected
4 Tap Emergency number to call
"Emergency number to call" selected
5 Tap Custom number
“Custom number” selected
6 Enter a null number then tap Done
Custom number pop-up menu with “Done” selected

It is also possible to customise the time of the countdown before an emergency call is made:

7 Tap Countdown
“Countdown” selected
8 Select the time you would like the countdown to last
Countdown times selected

If your smartphone has not received the June 2023 software update, you will be able to deactivate Emergency SOS automatic dialling. To do so, follow the steps below.

1 Open Settings
Settings app icon
2 Tap Safety and emergency
"Safety and emergency" selected in Settings menu
3 Tap Emergency SOS
"Emergency SOS" selected
4 Tap the switch button to turn Emergency SOS on or off
Switch to turn off Emergency SOS selected

Thank you for your feedback!