The phrase signifies a state the place an Android system is restricted to creating calls to emergency companies solely. This limitation sometimes arises when the system can not connect with a mobile community resulting from varied causes, reminiscent of a lacking or inactive SIM card, a community outage, or a software program malfunction. For instance, a telephone displaying this message will solely permit dialing numbers like 911 (within the US), 112 (in Europe), or different region-specific emergency numbers.
This performance is crucial for security, guaranteeing that people can contact emergency companies even when commonplace community connectivity is unavailable. Its implementation has advanced alongside cell know-how, changing into a normal characteristic on trendy smartphones to handle conditions the place customers are in misery however lack common community entry. This functionality offers a significant security internet, particularly in areas with inconsistent community protection or when a person’s account is suspended.