Pixel's Car crash detection finally expands to five more countries

Car Crash Detection on a Google Pixel 6a
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Pixel's Car crash detection is now available in five additional countries, including India, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, and Switzerland.
  • However, the regional expansion applies only to the Google Pixel 4a and later models as well as the Pixel Fold.
  • The car safety feature was introduced to Pixel smartphones back in 2019 as a US-only functionality.

Google was way ahead of the curve with car crash detection on its Pixel phones before Apple followed suit in 2021, but the search giant has been dragging its feet on expanding the feature to other countries. Finally, after years of waiting, Pixel's car crash detection is reaching more territories.

Android sleuth Mishaal Rahman discovered that Google quietly updated its support page for Pixel car crash detection to include five new countries: Austria, Belgium, India, Portugal, and Switzerland (via 9to5Google). In total, there are now 20 countries where the car safety feature is available.

However, the feature is still limited to 11 languages, including Danish, Dutch, English, French, Canadian French, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish.

And while car crash detection supports Pixel models as old as the Pixel 3, only the Pixel 4a and newer models are getting it in the new countries. Google has also added the emergency feature to the Pixel Fold.

Pixel's car crash detection is a safety feature in the Personal Safety app that comes pre-installed on all Pixel phones. If you turn it on, your phone will be able to use sensors like the accelerometer and microphone in order to detect a car crash.

Your phone will vibrate and ring loudly in the event of a collision. You'll have 60 seconds to swipe "I'm OK" or "Call 911." If you don't respond, your Pixel will automatically call 911 and provide your location. If you swipe "I'm OK," your phone will prompt you to categorize the detection as "No crash," "Minor crash," or "Call 911."

You can also alert emergency responders without speaking, just by tapping "Medical", "Fire", or "Police". Plus, you can set up emergency contacts and share your status with them in case of an accident.

Jay Bonggolto
News Writer & Reviewer

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.

Read more
The heart rate tile on the Google Pixel Watch 3
Pixel Watch 3 gets FDA approval for Loss of Pulse Detection in US
Car Crash Detection on a Google Pixel 6a
Samsung's Galaxy S25 series could borrow this safety feature from Apple and Google
Google's 2025 March feature drop has arrived.
Google's new feature drop brings killer features including scam detection and loss of pulse
Three Google Pixel Watch 3s on display at the Made by Google 2024 event.
Google's extra step for Emergency SOS on the Pixel Watch is now available
The back of the Obsidian Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google Pixel prepares official Scam Detection roll out for Phone and Messages
The Google Pixel Watch with the official metal band in matte black
The Pixel Watch requires an extra Emergency SOS input to avoid accidentals
Latest in Phones
Galaxy A36 5G lifestyle ad
The Galaxy A36 5G was just announced, but you can ALREADY score $150 off at Samsung — here's how
The Light Phone III in lifestyle photos.
The Light Phone 3 is here with miniature features, massive $799 price tag
The Galaxy S24 Plus in hand with a light behind it
Samsung's sixth One UI 7 beta for the Galaxy S24 rolls out as launch nears
POCO F7 Ultra back view on blue background with yellow colors next to it
POCO F7 Ultra review: The best bargain of 2025
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display
New leak shows off Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in 'Titanium' variants
The back of the Obsidian Google Pixel 9 Pro
Some Pixel owners had a delayed start, thanks to alarm clock failures
Latest in News
The Light Phone III in lifestyle photos.
The Light Phone 3 is here with miniature features, massive $799 price tag
YouTube Premium homepage on Android
YouTube's notification test impacts channels you rarely interact with
Google Pixel 8a
Google tipped to bring text-based actions in AI Overviews for Circle to Search
Pixel Watch 3 run coaching suggestion in the Fitbit app on a Pixel 9
Fitbit's Health Metrics are getting a redesign on Android and iOS
The Galaxy S24 Plus in hand with a light behind it
Samsung's sixth One UI 7 beta for the Galaxy S24 rolls out as launch nears
The promotional image for Google Workspace feature drops.
The March Workspace feature drop upgrades Gemini's note-taking and translation tools