Google Adds RCS Feature for Texting 911

Google today announced that it is partnering with emergency technology company RapidSOS to allow U.S. Android users to text 911 in emergencies using its Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol.

google emergency services rcs
When it is not possible to call 911, Android users will be able to send a text instead to get emergency help. The texting feature will provide precise location information to emergency responders, and it will let users send high-resolution photos and videos.

Texting 911 will be available to U.S. Android device owners who use Google Messages, but because it is a feature baked into ‌RCS‌, it could also expand to other devices like the iPhone. Later this year, Apple plans to adopt ‌RCS‌ to replace SMS/MMS.

The option to text 911 via ‌RCS‌ will roll out to emergency call centers across the United States starting this winter. In some places, it is already possible to text 911 over SMS, but not all emergency call centers support the technology. Google is aiming to bring texting to all call centers, and to improve the ability to send photos and videos with ‌RCS‌. Google says ‌RCS‌ for emergency 911 texts will bring the following benefits:

  • Confirmation that an emergency request has been delivered and viewed.
  • The ability to see if an emergency responder is replying to a message.
  • Options for sending high-resolution photos and videos to more accurately relay what's going on in an emergency situation.
  • Precise location sharing, language settings, and opt-in medical information sharing.

Google says that it is working with "partners across the industry" to expand access to emergency services through ‌RCS‌, and that it wants to make ‌RCS‌ the "standard for emergency services texting everywhere."

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

'New' iPhone SE Product Listing Appears on French Website

Wednesday February 12, 2025 6:49 am PST by
As the wait continues for Apple's long-rumored, fourth-generation iPhone SE, French electronics retailer Boulanger has prematurely published a product listing for a "new" model of the iPhone SE. The placeholder page says the device is "coming soon," but it offers no further information, and the price shown is obviously not real. The listing was spotted by a reader of the French technology...
2007 iPhone

Apple Discontinuing This 18-Year-Old iPhone Feature

Saturday February 8, 2025 3:51 pm PST by
The end of an 18-year era is on the horizon for the iPhone. Apple reportedly plans to announce a new iPhone SE as soon as next week, and the device is expected to feature a full-screen design with Face ID, instead of a Touch ID home button. That means Apple will no longer sell any new iPhone models with a home button, for the first time since the original iPhone launched. The home button...
oppo find n5 fingers

World's Thinnest Foldable Phone Launches Next Week

Monday February 10, 2025 3:05 am PST by
Oppo has confirmed a February 20 global launch for its Find N5, which the company claims is the world's thinnest device in the foldable phone category. The phone is expected to be re-branded as the OnePlus Open 2 in the US. The Chinese vendor has been teasing the device in the last few weeks, touting its waterproofing and nearly invisible display crease, and highlighting its thinness by compa...
m2 macbook air blue

M4 MacBook Air Release Continues to Appear Imminent

Monday February 10, 2025 10:56 am PST by
There continue to be signs of a new MacBook Air with an M4 chip, indicating that we could see the machine launch in the not too distant future. A private account on X today shared the identifiers that the MacBook Air will use, and those identifiers correspond to the M4 chip. According to the source, both the 13-inch MacBook Air and the 15-inch MacBook Air will be equipped with Apple's...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.3.1

Monday February 10, 2025 10:04 am PST by
Apple today released watchOS 11.3.1, a minor update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.3.1 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.3.1 can be downloaded by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to...
sequoia

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.3.1

Monday February 10, 2025 10:11 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that came out last September. macOS 15.3.1 comes a few weeks after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. Apple has also released macOS 13.7.4 and macOS 14.7.4 for those who are...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.3.1 With Bug Fixes

Monday February 10, 2025 10:09 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, minor updates for the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.3.1 comes two weeks after Apple released iOS 18.3. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.5 for those still running...
Powerbeats Pro 2 Orange

Powerbeats Pro 2 Given to Customer Early, Expected to Debut Tomorrow

Monday February 10, 2025 7:42 am PST by
Apple's long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2 are finally expected to be announced this Tuesday. Ahead of time, one lucky Walmart customer was able to get their hands on the earbuds early, according to a since-deleted Reddit post over the weekend. A leaked image of the Powerbeats Pro 2 in Electric Orange "My local Walmart had them in the cage," the Reddit user explained. "I asked if I can buy them...

Top Rated Comments

relaxedpanda Avatar
9 months ago

that sounds useful, but gotta ask, when is it not possible to call 911? need cell/internet service in either case...
Be thankful that you've never had to think about or do this

These early comments are already so annoying. People complaining about Google offering more ways for people in life threatening or needing urgent help from their first responders. Get a grip everyone, this is a good thing for the world to have. We are so lucky to have technology and resources to have something like this
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProbablyDylan Avatar
9 months ago

rcs îs stupid though. such a terrible protocol
What about it is? at a minimum, it's no worse than SMS.


when is it not possible to call 911?
Hypothetically, if I'm hiding in a closet from armed home intruders, the last thing I want to do is speak.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill Avatar
9 months ago

that sounds useful, but gotta ask, when is it not possible to call 911? need cell/internet service in either case...
Hearing-impaired callers.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boss.king Avatar
9 months ago

that sounds useful, but gotta ask, when is it not possible to call 911? need cell/internet service in either case...
When you’re deaf?
Or have a speech impediment?
Or it’s really loud where you are?
Or you can’t make noise for your own safety?
Or you’re just more comfortable texting than talking on the phone?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
miamialley Avatar
9 months ago

that sounds useful, but gotta ask, when is it not possible to call 911? need cell/internet service in either case...
Like you don’t want someone to hear you make a phone call. Text need less signal to get through and can keep trying. I would prefer to text 911 as it’s more accurate and instant. I’ve never understood why it’s not utilized more and more broadly available.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
9 months ago

that sounds useful, but gotta ask, when is it not possible to call 911?
When the person who needs help is mute
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)