Set up emergency contact (Android)

ICE stands for ‘in case of emergency’. On an Android device, turn one or more contacts into an ICE contact. Such a contact can be reached in an emergency, even if the device is locked. So helpers can always reach them.

In this tip, we describe how to set up an ICE contact on a Samsung phone and on other Android devices.

• Tap the app Contacts.
• Scroll down a bit and tap in the contacts list groups. If this is not listed, first tap the three dots at the top right.
• Tap on ICE – emergency contacts.
• Tap on edit.
• Tap on Add Member.
• Select one or more contacts.
• Tap on Ready.
• Tap on Save.

The ‘ICE – Emergency Contacts’ group now contains contacts that can be reached via the lock screen.

• Tap the app Contacts.
• Tap the three bars in the top left.
• Tap on Emergency contacts.
• Tap the three dots at the top right.
• Tap on Edit group.
• Tap on Add Member.
• Select one or more contacts.
• Tap on Ready.
• Tap on Save.

These contacts can now be reached via the lock screen.

• Tap on Institutions.
• Tap on Users and accounts.
• Scroll down and tap Emergency information.
• Tap on Contacts.
• Tap on Add contact.
• Select a contact.
• To add another contact, repeat the previous two steps.

To retrieve a contact when the phone is locked:

• Activate the phone screen. If the screen is still black, press the Home button or the power button on the device.
• Swipe the screen to reveal the unlock method.
• If you are now directly on the Home screen of the phone, you have not set a security method. See the next paragraph for this. In all other cases: tap emergency call.
• The contact person or persons are now above the numbers. Tap a contact and they will be called.

Some people have not secured their phone with a password, fingerprint or other method. They can reach their ICE contacts through the Contacts app.

• Activate the phone screen. If the screen is still black, press the Home button or the power button on the device.
• Swipe the screen to unlock the phone.
• Tap the app Contacts.
• On Android 7.0 or 8.0, scroll down a bit and tap in the list of contacts groups. If this is not listed, first tap the three dots at the top right. Tap on ICE – emergency contacts. With Android 9.0, tap the three bars in the top left and then Emergency contacts.
• Tap the person you want to call.

Note from the editor: it is also advisable to secure the phone. Read more about this in the tip ‘ Protect Samsung Galaxy S‘.