Pocket - accidental emergency dialer from lock screen

[Trees]

I searched this forum and didn't see anything related, but could have searched with the wrong terms - so apologies up front if this is a duplicate question.

Lately somehow the emergency dialer is getting invoked when in my pocket. Its happened frequently enough that I've temporarily switched to another device until I can figure out option(s) to prevent this from occuring.

Not carrying in pocket is an option, but beyond that have I missed an obvious setting somewhere that would prevent the (unintended) emergency dialer from getting keyboard input when in a pocket?

 

[TwitchyPuppy]

Really no clue. The proximity sensor is supposed to turn the screen off to prevent that sort of things to happen.

 

[anon(238680)]

The proximity sensor is supposed to turn the screen off to prevent that sort of things to happen.

On the S8 that is true but you have to toggle it on. There is also an emergency mode that can be activated (not the battery one), can't remember exactly what that does, but if the Pixel has something similar, worth a look.

 

[N4Newbie]

Really no clue. The proximity sensor is supposed to turn the screen off to prevent that sort of things to happen.

Good point.

Front or back pocket? When in your pocket, is the proximity detector (let's just say the earpiece, as the proximity detector is nearby) covered? If you are using a rear pocket with the phone sicking half out of it - as many of the younger ladies at my workplace do - then I could see this being a problem.

 

[Trees]

Thanks all. So far I've noticed the problem when wearing shorts. The pocket is wider and more loose than jeans, so perhaps the Pixel gets to "slosh around" more than if in a jean's pocket. When sloshing, maybe the screen senses touching as a finger input. I'm going to experiment more to see what else could be triggering the emergency dialer.

 

[Trees]

May have found a trigger. Phone was facing inward in shorts pocket such that it was getting contact from my thigh when walking. Turned phone outward so that screen was only touching pocket fabric. No more accidental emergency dialer input occurred while walking around.

 

[N4Newbie]

Maybe you need to line your pockets with heavier fabric.

I always keep the screen facing inward because I figure it is safer that way. The only cracked screen my wife or I ever suffered occurred when she had the screen facing outward and briefly leaned against a hard object.

 

[Trees]

That's a good thought. The shorts pocket fabric is thinner than those in jeans. That could be it.

I hear you on the hard objects concern.

 

[gerrya]

I have the "lift to wake" option selected and if the phone is tipped before putting in my pocket and lit I have later taken the phone out and noticed several things were selected while in my pocket. I now always make sure the screen is off before putting it in my pocket. It is worse in shorts because the pocket is loose and the phone bounces off the leg simulating taps.

 

[Philipmom]

Not sure if you have a glass screen protector on, but that might help make the screen a little less sensitive in the pocket. Also maybe a case with a more aggressive lip around the edges pushing things away, like an OtterBox?

 

[Javier P]

When using shorts the only thing that really works for me is putting the phone in a sunglasses pouch.

 

[Trees]

That's an interesting alternative use for a sunglass case. I may have some large enough to fit the Pixel. Could come in handy when carrying in backpack.