Google Pixel Personal Safety app: Lifesaver gets this new feature

Google Pixel Personal Safety app: This feature can automatically record video if you activate the built-in Emergency SOS.

Google Pixel Personal Safety app: Google offers the Personal Safety app feature exclusively through its Pixel Android phones. (Google)

Google Pixel smartphones have been around for quite some time and they are technologically quite capable. However, let us face it, they do not compete with the likes of Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo and other top smartphone manufacturers in terms of numbers sold. Google came to the smartphone manufacturing business late and it is not its primary focus area. However, it has marked its space well and who knows what the future will bring - after all, it has all the money in the world to spend and if it focuses on its smartphone business, it will likely crack it. This in no way takes anything away from the Google Pixel phones. They are very capable indeed, and today, we take a close look at one of the new standout features - Google Pixel Personal Safety app.

Google offers the Personal Safety app feature exclusively through its Pixel Android phones. Over the years, it has added features like a safety check-in that automatically notifies your emergency contacts if you don't respond as scheduled and the ability to automatically dial 911 if it detects you have been in a car accident. You will of course, be reminded here of the Apple Watch and the numerous times it has saved injured people's lives because of its ability to do just that.

Now, a new feature can automatically record video if you activate the built-in Emergency SOS. The update informs users that it can record continuously for up to 45 minutes once it's activated, assuming your phone has enough storage, says The Verge.

If there's an internet connection, the video will get automatically backed up to your Google Account, where it will be stored for seven days. If you tell the app to share automatically, it will send a link for that video file to any emergency contacts you've selected.

How to get the Google Pixel Personal Safety app:

1. Find the feature in the Personal Safety app's settings.

2. Activate the Emergency SOS - press the phone's power button five times.

3. While it's active, the phone is still available for you to use with a minimized viewfinder and notification icon to indicate that a recording is happening.

Notably, the SOS can do other things depending on your settings, including calling 911, choosing to play (or not play) an alarm sound when activated, or share information with your emergency contacts.

For other phones, Google tested a version of Emergency SOS in early betas for Android 12, but right now, this app and feature set is only for the Pixel line.