Samsung is putting its own spin on earthquake alerts for Galaxy devices, going beyond Google’s built-in Android safety features. The new system, spotted in development for One UI, gives users more control over how and when they receive seismic warnings—a useful upgrade for those in quake-prone areas.
Unlike Google’s standard alerts, Samsung’s version lets users adjust sensitivity based on the time of day. For example, you could set a lower threshold (like 2.0 on the Richter scale) for daytime alerts while bumping it up to 3.0 at night, when sudden tremors could be more dangerous. Even if a quake falls below the set threshold, the phone will still notify you—just without interrupting your current activity.
When a significant earthquake is detected, the alert takes over the screen with a red warning and a loud sound. Samsung also adds extra safety tools, like locating emergency shelters, accessing medical info, and quickly calling emergency contacts. There’s even a “warning history” log in the works, so users can review past alerts.
But why is Samsung building its own system when Google already offers earthquake alerts? One likely reason is regional availability. Google’s alerts don’t work everywhere—they’re blocked in places like China, where Samsung has a strong presence. Some users in active seismic zones have also reported issues accessing Google’s alerts due to regional restrictions.
With this move, Samsung ensures more Galaxy owners get reliable quake warnings, tailored to their needs—whether they’re awake, asleep, or in a region where Google’s features aren’t available. The feature is still in development, but it could be a lifesaver for those who need it most.
