Google may be working on a new feature that would let Android smartphone users send emergency distress messages using only their voice, without ever touching the screen. The feature is still unconfirmed and no official announcement has been made.

Android's existing Emergency SOS already allows users in danger to share their location with friends, family or trusted contacts, record video of their surroundings, and send messages or signals to emergency service providers. However, if the phone is not within reach or the user is unable to press its buttons, asking for help becomes difficult in a crisis. The new feature appears designed to solve exactly that problem.

According to a report by technology website Android Authority, indications of the feature's likely functionality were found in the code of Google's Personal Safety app. Google has not officially commented on the matter. An animation found in the app's code suggests that saying "Help" three times in a row could start the emergency assistance process. Exactly how the voice will be detected, and under which circumstances the feature will work, is not yet certain.

Some messages found in the code suggest that users will be able to give verbal consent before emergency assistance begins. In that case, saying "Yes" would move the process forward, while saying "Cancel" would stop it. The system appears designed to reduce the risk of accidentally sending an emergency signal.

The animation also hints at activities such as locating the user, recording video of the emergency situation, and calling emergency services. However, how these functions would work once the feature is finally launched is not yet known in detail.

Currently, pressing an Android phone's power button five times rapidly activates Emergency SOS. Depending on the phone model and settings, the user may then need to confirm that they genuinely need help; in some cases the process starts automatically after a specified wait. If the new feature is launched, pressing the phone's buttons may no longer be necessary to begin these actions.