Do Samsung Phones Have Crash Detection? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Hey friends, I’m Jessica, and as a mom of two who’s always on the road between Austin’s school drop-offs, grocery runs, and weekend hikes, car safety tech really matters to me. When Apple introduced Crash Detection with the iPhone 14, it gave me peace of mind knowing that if something ever went wrong, help could reach me — even if I couldn’t make the call myself. But lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from friends and readers who use Samsung Galaxy phones: Do Samsung phones have crash detection too?

The short answer is: Yes, some Samsung phones do have crash detection — but with a few differences compared to Apple’s system. Let’s dive into how it works, which models support it, how to enable it, and what to expect in real-world use.

What Is Crash Detection?

Crash Detection is a safety feature that uses a phone’s built-in sensors — such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, microphones, and even barometers — to detect if you’ve been in a severe car accident. When such an event is detected, your phone can automatically call emergency services, share your location, and notify your emergency contacts.

Apple’s Crash Detection became widely known thanks to its seamless automation and accurate response system. Samsung, however, offers a slightly different take through its “Car Crash Detection” feature in the Samsung Personal Safety app, and through Galaxy Watch 5 and later models.

Samsung’s Approach to Crash Detection

Samsung has been steadily adding personal safety features to its Galaxy ecosystem, especially with One UI 6 and newer models. While Apple integrates Crash Detection directly into iOS, Samsung uses a separate app called “Safety and Emergency” (previously known as “Samsung Personal Safety”), which houses features like Emergency SOS, medical information sharing, and car crash detection.

Here’s how Samsung’s crash detection generally works:

1. Sensor Monitoring – The phone or watch constantly monitors movement and acceleration.
2. Impact Recognition – A sudden deceleration or strong impact triggers the system.
3. Response Timer – If you don’t respond within a short period, the device automatically starts an emergency call.
4. Location Sharing – Your current GPS location and any preset emergency contacts receive alerts about the crash.

It’s designed to help users during serious car accidents when they might not be able to make a call themselves.

Which Samsung Devices Have Crash Detection?

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, Watch 5 Pro, and newer models introduced the Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection feature.

For smartphones, Galaxy S23, S24, Z Fold 5, and Z Flip 5 models running the latest One UI 6 or higher also include enhanced safety tools.

These devices use the “Safety and Emergency” section under settings, allowing users to manage features such as:

• Emergency SOS
• Emergency sharing
• Location permissions
• Medical info
• Crash and fall detection (if available on your model)

If you own a compatible Galaxy device, it’s definitely worth enabling this feature.

How to Enable Crash Detection on a Samsung Phone

Here’s how you can turn it on:

1. Open Settings on your Samsung phone.
2. Scroll down and tap Safety and Emergency.
3. Select Car Crash Detection (if supported).
4. Enable it and allow necessary permissions for location, sensors, and emergency calls.
5. Add your emergency contacts and fill out medical information — this can be crucial in emergencies.

For Galaxy Watches:

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
2. Go to Watch Settings > Safety and Emergency.
3. Turn on Detect Falls and Car Crashes.
4. Add emergency contacts.

Once enabled, your watch or phone can automatically detect severe impacts and notify help.

How Reliable Is Samsung’s Crash Detection?

As with Apple’s system, Samsung’s crash detection isn’t foolproof. It’s designed to detect serious accidents involving sudden deceleration or heavy impact. However, false positives can occur — for example, when dropping your phone or slamming it on a desk.

Samsung has fine-tuned its algorithm to reduce unnecessary alerts, but user testing still shows variability depending on:

• Vehicle type and crash intensity
• Device placement (pocket, dashboard, or car mount)
• Connection to the network

For best performance, keep your phone securely mounted in the vehicle, and make sure location services and permissions remain active.

Comparison: Samsung Crash Detection vs Apple Crash Detection

Here’s how the two stack up:

Both systems are lifesaving when used correctly, but Apple currently leads in automation and international reach, while Samsung offers broader customization and Android integration.

Real-Life Use: My Experience

As someone who drives frequently between cities for work and weekend family trips, I find these features genuinely comforting. While my primary device is an iPhone, I tested a Galaxy S24 Ultra for a few weeks out of curiosity.

During my test, Samsung’s Safety app worked smoothly, and I appreciated the detailed control it gave me — especially being able to manually trigger SOS messages and share my live location. Thankfully, I didn’t experience a crash to fully test the system, but its simulated demo feature was reassuring.

One thing I did notice: the integration between the Galaxy phone and watch made the system even more effective. If your phone isn’t in reach, your watch can still send alerts — a real advantage for drivers.

Why Crash Detection Matters

Even though most of us hope never to need it, crash detection is an invaluable safety net. Accidents happen in seconds, and sometimes you may not be in a condition to reach your phone. Having a device that can automatically alert help could literally save lives.

If you or your loved ones drive frequently, especially on long commutes or rural routes, I strongly recommend ensuring this feature is turned on.

Final Thoughts

So, do Samsung phones have crash detection?
Yes, many of their latest flagship phones and smartwatches now include it. While Apple’s version is a bit more polished and globally available, Samsung’s feature is improving rapidly — and it integrates well across devices in the Galaxy ecosystem.

If you’re a Samsung user, go ahead and check your phone’s Safety and Emergency settings today. Make sure your contacts are updated, your permissions are enabled, and your device is ready to help if needed.

As someone who values both technology and family safety, I see crash detection as one of the most meaningful innovations in modern smartphones — whether you’re team Apple or team Samsung.