Samsung side key adds hidden Emergency SOS and Google Gemini AI shortcuts

Samsung’s side key—formerly known as the power button—has several concealed functions on its Android smartphones. Pressing the side key five times in quick succession activates the Emergency SOS feature, which sounds an alarm, dials emergency services, and shares the user’s real‑time location with a pre‑selected contact for up to 24 hours. Holding the key triggers Google’s Gemini AI assistant, allowing voice queries, message drafting and file searches without opening an app. The classic screenshot shortcut (side key + volume‑down) remains unchanged, and all behaviors can be re‑assigned in Settings → Advanced Features → Side key. Users can also add personal medical information such as blood type and allergies in the Safety and Emergency menu.