Calling 911 with a non-stock phone app

[SallyC]

Over the weekend we encountered a rather severe multiple car accident on the highway. It had just occurred and as we're trying to not be a part of it I am also trying to dial 911.   The problem is nothing is happening - no call is going through, it just keeps returning me to my contact list.

I now know that the problem is I was using the phone dialer with GO Contacts and apparently only the stock Android phone dialer can dial 911.  This seems crazy to me - and even crazier that there's no notification when you try and make an emergency call that you must find and open the stock dialer.   I've also heard that if I had managed to use the stock dialer and complete the call, my data would be disabled for 5 minutes.  Again, I can hardly believe that but at this point I'm suspending disbelief.

Needless to say I ditched GO SMS.  It's not that I dial 911 very often - but that's part of the problem. I don't want to be in that postion again and be trying to figure out/ remember why it's not working.  It seems at the least these apps should have a warning on the Play page.

Does anyone know if there's a plan to open emergency calls up to non-stock dialers or why this restriction is in place?

[smashogre]

Not at all sure why the restriction is there but the stock dialers data disabling has been around awhile - there is a notification that you can pull down to well, disable the disabling lol. Scary and I'm glad you did not end up part of it!

[SallyC]

Smash Ogre wrote:

Not at all sure why the restriction is there but the stock dialers data disabling has been around awhile - there is a notification that you can pull down to well, disable the disabling lol. Scary and I'm glad you did not end up part of it!

I didn't see any notification at any time during or after this.  But admittedly I was very busy.  A popup on the dialer saying I needed to use the stock phone app would have been more helpful.  Or have the key sequence of 911 launch the stock app.

I don't understand why this restriction is even in place.   At a time when you are obviously in an emergency this seems like an unnecessary, potentially life threatening, problem.

[smashogre]

I don't know if it appears with a non-stock dialer...but does with the stock dialer alone.

[Duewester]

Hi Sally,

When you power on the phone, there should be the emergency call icon in the lower left. That allows the phone to be used for emergencies without even the need to log in.

Does that work for you? Then you could keep your other dialer.

[SallyC]

Duewester wrote:

Hi Sally,

When you power on the phone, there should be the emergency call icon in the lower left. That allows the phone to be used for emergencies without even the need to log in.

Does that work for you? Then you could keep your other dialer.

Are you speaking of the apps that are along the bottom of your screen, two on either side of your Apps icon (in ICS)?  That is the stock phone app that I replaced with Go Contacts and their Dialer.

I don't see any other icon and there was no need to log in.  I just unlocked my phone and hit my dialer and tried to call 911.

[Duewester]

I was referring to the login screen. The very first screen that shows when you power on the phone. In the bottom left is a red triangle with a white cross in it.

[Duewester]

I was just thinking and I realize that maybe you don't have your phone set up for security (not a good move in my opinion). The screen I'm talking about is the screen that comes up so you have to swipe your symbol to unlock the phone.

[smashogre]

I think he means the lock screen Sally...

[Duewester]

Yes, the lock screen.

I've used a gesture password since I first powered up my phone and I don't remember what a non-security opening screen looks like.

Sorry to be confusing.

[SallyC]

I had my phone powered on, and use a lock screen which I swipe to unlock.  I don't think there's anything unusual about the way I have it set up.  Whether or not there is some icon when you power up, or some other esoteric knowledge or work around might be interesting, but it's not really helpful if an average person like myself isn't aware of it.  My concern is that folks, like myself, who are using a non-stock dialer don't realize they can't call 911 with it.  Which is bad enough, but the fact that there's nothing - like even a pop up window - to tell you at the time why it's not working is even worse.

In this case we were on a crowded highway so I can only assume and hope that someone else's phone worked.   This seems unacceptable to me for something where you can be in a life threatening situation and seconds count.

[smashogre]

I agree 100%. There isn't anything on the Go SMS app page either?

[SallyC]

Smash Ogre wrote:

I agree 100%. There isn't anything on the Go SMS app page either?

I was using GO Contacts EX and there's nothing in the Description to warn you of this.  But it's not just that app, from what I understand, it's all non-stock phone dialers.

I don't know why this restriction is in place but it seems insane to me.

[smashogre]

Just answered my own question - nada zip zilch so far as I can see on either Go SMS or Go Contacts descriptors. This is really bad, what if you HAD been the one needing emergency services??!! This isn't an action one should have to think about it should just work, everytime from every dialer on the market.

[SallyC]

Smash Ogre wrote:

Just answered my own question - nada zip zilch so far as I can see on either Go SMS or Go Contacts descriptors. This is really bad, what if you HAD been the one needing emergency services??!! This isn't an action one should have to think about it should just work, everytime from every dialer on the market.

I totally agree! There are so many scenarios where you could be the only one available to call for help.  And to have no clue why the phone isn't completing the call is the last thing you should have to be thinking of.

I've heard different theories on why, from a technology point of view, 911 only works on the stock dialer, but yet to hear who's idea it was to restrict the code access so other dialers can't use this feature.  Seems like fodder for a lawsuit imho.  I hope this raises the level of awareness for other people, but also gets it changed so all dialers can have access to this important function. 

[smashogre]

I think if I were you I'd reach out to the folks that produce GO software and see what they have to say. I used their SMS app for a few days but it drove me batty lol

[SallyC]

Smash Ogre wrote:

I think if I were you I'd reach out to the folks that produce GO software and see what they have to say. I used their SMS app for a few days but it drove me batty lol

I have emailed them.  I'll post back if I hear anything.

[smashogre]

Cool. Doesn't it seem almost illegal to you? At the very least it's unethical...

[Duewester]

I don't use any aftermarket apps myself but I would expect that it would be the responsibility of the developer to put the proper warnings in place. In this case, the fact that 911 doesn't work from their app.

I used to use a WinMo 6.5 phone (Samsung Omnia II) and you get a real appreciation for how well these Razrs/ICS phones work if you ever get to use the other. You almost HAVE to use aftermarket apps to make them very friendly to use. My old phone is now relegated to sitting by the toilet for playing solitare.