The emergency call option on our smartphones’ lock screen is a feature that we often overlook – until we need it. This potential life-saver is always just a few taps away, allowing us to call emergency services without unlocking our devices. However, for some, its placement can lead to accidental usage, resulting in unnecessary distress and confusion for both the user and the emergency response teams. With a few tweaks and setting adjustments, you can obliterate these unintended blunders by removing the emergency call from your lock screen.
Why Remove Emergency Call from Lock Screen?
You might wonder why anyone would want to remove such a critical feature from their smartphone. The emergency call option is meant for swift access in dire straits. However, it can become a problem when this straightforward feature ends up becoming a trigger for accidental “pocket dial” to 911.
According to a study by Google, an estimated 30% of the 3 billion calls made to 911 in 2018 were accidental. These false alarms could lead to wastage of resources and might potentially delay assistance to genuine cases of emergency.
Removing Emergency Call Feature: An In-Depth Look
Not every smartphone lets you remove the emergency call option. Many device makers purposely design this feature to stay on the lock screen for security reasons. Nonetheless, for those dealing with frequent pocket dials, a few device models offer the flexibility to remove or relocate it.
With devices like Certain Android models, you can dive into the setting adjustments to disable the feature. However, these changes might require you to delve a little deeper into the tech aspects. It’s important to note that while you might be successful in keeping accidental calls at bay, you could also hinder your access to emergency services during a crisis.
Consider Other Methods
If removing the emergency call button isn’t an option, consider other effective methods to prevent unintended dials. You can start by strengthening lock screen security. Adding a longer passcode, using a pattern lock, or enabling biometric locks can considerably reduce accidental pocket dials.
What’s more, a recent survey by Statista shows that about 37% of smartphone users in the U.S. already use biometric features such as fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock their phones. These numbers reflect the mass adoption of advanced lock screen security methods to prevent accidental use of the device.
In Conclusion
In the era of constant technological advancement, there seems to be an app or a setting tweak to solve almost every problem. The pocket dial predicament is no exception. Whether you choose to remove the emergency call button from the lock screen, incorporate stronger security features, or keep your phone in a protective case, it’s essential to be aware of how your device functions to optimize it for your benefit.
Our smartphones are our lifelines, but they can quickly become a source of inadvertent alarm if not handled with care and understanding. It’s in our best interest to take the liberty to comprehend the nuances of these technologies that shape our lives and leverage them to better suit our individual needs.