Home
News
You are here

June "Super Update" will prevent Galaxy S23, S22 users from disabling Emergency SOS

By Alan Friedman

Published: Jun 23, 2023, 12:23 PM

2comments

Samsung Android

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.

June "Super Update" will prevent Galaxy S23, S22 users from disabling Emergency SOS

The June "Super Update" that soon will be disseminated to all Galaxy S23 models optimizes the cameras, exterminates bugs, and might even improve the battery life of the flagship series. Those are improvements any phone owner would like. But it also does something else that you might not like. According to SamMobile, with the update, the Emergency SOS Android feature is enabled permanently with no option to turn it off.

Emergency SOS is a feature that allows users to contact emergency services (or 911 in the U.S.) by pressing the power button five times quickly. This matches the Android version of Emergency SOS which, as we told you earlier this morning, has swamped emergency services in the U.K. due to the large number of accidental activations. U.K. police have asked Android users to disable the feature which will be impossible to do on Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S22 units after the update is installed.

With the June update, Emergency SOS will remain enabled permanently on the Galaxy S22, S23 series, and some recent foldable models

Galaxy devices used to require that the power button be pressed only three times to contact emergency services. But that resulted in too many accidental activations and is the reason why Samsung decided to match the five presses required on other Android phones. But Sammy might have felt that with the chances of an accidental activation reduced, it could get away with keeping Emergency SOS enabled at all times.

Samsung is removing the ability to disable Emergency SOS from more than just the Galaxy S23 series; in certain markets the same changes are coming to the Galaxy S22 line and some of Samsung's most recent foldable phones. In the U.S., the emergency services number called is 911 while in the U.K. it is 999. In India, the number called is 112.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra now!

The Verizon 256GB Galaxy S23 Ultra comes at $800 off with bonus credit!

The extra S23 Ultra bonus from the link here on top of Samsung’s store credit brings the Galaxy S23 Ultra starting price on Verizon to just $399.99 with a trade. And a 5G plan! Also, you can benefit from a free Galaxy Watch5, free Galaxy Tab S7 FE — or both with your purchase.

$399 ⁹⁹

$1199 ⁹⁹

Expired

T-Mobile prices the Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $199.99

Get the T-Mobile S23 Ultra via Samsung benefit from three awesome deals. When signing for the Magenta MAX plan and trading an eligible device, T-Mobile will knock $1000 off the S23 Ultra price! You can also get up to $500 off with trade-in, up to $800 off with a new line on Magenta MAX rate plan.

$199 ⁹⁹

$1199 ⁹⁹

Expired

An AT&T S23 Ultra deal knocks it down to $200 with extra bonus!

Those on AT&T can grab the flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra from Samsung with a plan and a trade for just $200. 256GB storage. Also, AT&T is giving you the option to activate your phone online with your purchase so you don't waste time to go into a physical AT&T store for activation.

$199 ⁹⁹

$1199 ⁹⁹

Expired

The 512GB US Cellular Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $700!

Get up to $680 off the US Cellular model of the Galaxy S23 Ultra directly from Samsung with trade. The 256GB version of the phone can be yours from $449.99, while the 526GB version can be yours from $629.99. You can also get the exclusive to Samsung store 1TB storage option.

$699 ⁹⁹

$1379 ⁹⁹

Expired

Those of you Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S22 series users (and owners of the last couple generations of Galaxy Fold and Flip models) who have disabled Emergency SOS, understand that the feature will automatically be enabled for good once you install the June "Super Update."

View Full Bio

Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.