Samsung is reportedly working on an enhanced version of Android’s earthquake alert system, designed to improve user experience during emergency situations. This new feature is expected to be part of the upcoming One UI update. A tipster recently uncovered evidence of this development, which allows users to customize the “seismic intensity threshold” for alerts, providing greater control.
Similar to Google’s existing alerts, Samsung’s version offers users the flexibility to set different intensities for day and night, ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 on the Richter scale. The company recommends setting thresholds of 2.0 during the daytime and 3.0 at night to address the risks associated with sudden earthquakes that can occur while sleeping. Should an earthquake occur at an intensity below the user’s specified threshold, Samsung’s alerts will still generate a notification without disrupting ongoing activities.
However, when a significant seismic event is detected, users will receive a prominent full-screen notification accompanied by an audible warning. In addition to alerts, Samsung’s Earthquake Warnings feature includes enhanced functionalities such as the discovery of nearby emergency shelters and access to personal medical information. The system also records warning history, adding to its utility in critical situations.
Despite the advancements, the publication raises questions about Samsung’s motivation for creating its own version of this feature, especially given the availability of Google’s solution for Android devices across various markets. This could, however, address issues in regions where Google services are not widely accessible, such as China. The introduction of Samsung’s earthquake alerts is anticipated to coincide with the launch of One UI 8, although no specific release date has been confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, Google recently extended its earthquake alerts to Wear OS devices, though users in high-risk areas will receive priority access.