Notebookcheck Logo

Modern Android smartphones cannot make emergency calls under particular circumstances

Google describes the Microsoft Teams bug as an 'unintended interaction' with Android. (Image source: Adrien)
Google describes the Microsoft Teams bug as an 'unintended interaction' with Android. (Image source: Adrien)
Google has confirmed that Android 10, 11 and 12 suffer from a bug preventing smartphones from calling emergency services. The bug only occurs in specific circumstances, but it involves an app that has been installed over 100 million times.
Android Smartphone Software Fail

Google has confirmed that a bug across several versions of Android can prevent people from making emergency calls. The confirmation arrives after someone experienced their Pixel 3 preventing them from calling 911. According to a Reddit post, the Pixel 3 was running Android 11, for reference.

However, Google has clarified that the bug exists in Android 10, 11 and 12. The company adds that it will provide an Android platform update on January 4, 2022. The bug only arises when someone has installed the Microsoft Teams app but has not logged into their account. To date, Microsoft Teams has been installed over 100 million times through the Google Play Store. The app supports Android 5.0 and up.

If this occurs, then your device may fail to place a call to emergency services. Microsoft is also working with Google to deliver an updated Teams app that addresses the bug. It is unclear when Microsoft will deliver this, though. In the meantime, Google has offered four steps to ensure that this situation does not happen if you try to call emergency services.

  • If you are unsure what Android version you are on, confirm you are running Android 10 or above by following the steps here. If you are not running Android 10 or above, you are not impacted by this issue.
  • If you have the Microsoft Teams app downloaded, check to see if you are signed in. If you have been signed in, you are not impacted by this issue, and we suggest you remain signed in until you’ve received the Microsoft Teams app update.
  • If you have the Microsoft Teams app downloaded, but are not signed in, uninstall and reinstall the app. While this will address the problem in the interim, a Microsoft Teams app update is still required to fully resolve the issue.
  • We advise users to keep an eye out for an update to the Microsoft Teams app, and ensure it is applied as soon as available. We will update this post once the new version of Microsoft Teams is available to 100% of users.

Purchase the Apple AirPods Pro on Amazon

Source(s)

Reddit via @MishaalRahman, Adrien - Image credit

static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 12 > Modern Android smartphones cannot make emergency calls under particular circumstances
Alex Alderson, 2021-12- 9 (Update: 2021-12- 9)