Microsoft Teams App Update Should Stop 911 Calls Failing on Android Phones

UPDATE 12/13: As reported by Mishaal Rahman on Medium as part of his deep dive into the problem, Microsoft has now released version 1416/1.0.0.2021194504 of the Teams app, which doesn't require uninstalling and then reinstalling the app to fix the problem. Simply update to this version of the Teams app on your device and you'll be able to make 911 calls without experiencing the Android OS problem Google is expected to fix in January.

As Rahman makes clear in his deep dive:

"I don't think most users will need to fear this bug, because it requires a very specific set of circumstances to trigger. And even when those circumstances are met, it's basically bad luck if it gets triggered."

Even so, Teams users should update to the latest version at their earliest convenience.

UPDATE 12/10: Microsoft has reached out to explain that the problem is caused by an Android operating system issue, with a Microsoft spokesperson stating:

"We are aware of Google's plans to roll-out an Android platform update in January. We are working on an update to our own application to avoid triggering the underlying Android operating system issue. We are collaborating closely with Google to resolve this unintended interaction."

With the update not arriving until January, the steps Google outlined in the original article below remain the best method of ensuring your Android phone with Microsoft Teams installed is capable of making 911 calls.

Original Story 12/9:
Google and Microsoft are working to solve a serious bug on Android smartphones after a Pixel 3 owner was prevented from calling 911.

Last week, Reddit user KitchenPicture5849 shared details of how he needed to call an ambulance for his grandmother after she appeared to be having a stroke. Using a Pixel 3 running Android 11 on Verizon, she dialed 911 but:

"My phone got stuck immediately after one ring and I was unable to do anything other than click through apps with an emergency phone call running in the background. This is all while the phone informed me that it had sent my location to emergency services. Sadly I couldn't tell the person on the other end what apartment I was in, or what the actual emergency was as I was unable to speak to a human."

A landline came to the rescue and ensured paramedics were able to get to the grandmother, but the problem with the Pixel 3 persisted and was repeatable, according KitchenPicture5849.

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Google was made aware of the incident and responded on Reddit yesterday stating that an investigation had been carried out and the issue can be reproduced. It only occurs on a small number of devices that have the Microsoft Teams app installed with the user logged out. Google believes "the issue was being caused by unintended interaction between the Microsoft Teams app and the underlying Android operating system."

Currently both Microsoft and Google are "heavily prioritizing the issue, and we expect a Microsoft Teams app update to be rolled out soon." Until an update is released, though, Google is recommending anyone using an Android device running Android 10 or later with Microsoft Teams installed take some precautionary actions.

If you fall into this category, then it's imperative you check to see if your device is logged in to Microsoft Teams. If it is, you're fine and should remain logged in to ensure 911 calls work. If you aren't, Google requests you uninstall and then reinstall the Teams app. By doing so, "this will address the problem in the interim," but the issue won't be fully resolved until Microsoft releases a Teams app update including the fix.

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