How to Create a 'Hey Google, I'm Getting Pulled Over' Shortcut for Android

Automate Google Assistant to record police interactions

By
Adam S. Doud
Adam Doud
Adam S. Doud
Writer
Adam has been writing about mobile technology since 2011. He is the former host of the Android Authority podcast, and his work has appeared in numerous publications.
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Updated on February 3, 2023

What to Know

  • In Google Home: Tap Routines > Manage routines > Add a Routine > Add commands; type I'm getting pulled over > OK.
  • Tap Add Action > Browse popular actions > Put phone on silent. Adjust media volume to 0, check Send a text, enter a number/message.
  • Tap Add > Add action > Enter command > Turn on Do not disturb. Set screen brightness to 0. Add a new action: type Take a video selfie.

This article explains how to create an "I'm getting pulled over" shortcut on an Android device to create a record of the event.

How to Create the Google Shortcut

You are free to change any of the steps listed below or add your own steps so this shortcut keeps a record of everything you want. Start here:

  1. Open the Home app.

  2. Tap Routines.

  3. Tap Manage routines.

    Screenshots of how to get to and manage routines on Google Assistant.

  4. Tap Add a Routine.

  5. Tap Add commands.

  6. Type I'm getting pulled over.

    This is the command you will say to trigger the routine.

  7. Tap OK.

    How to add a 'Hey Google' routine on Android.

  8. Tap Add action.

  9. Tap Browse popular actions.

  10. Place a check mark in Put phone on silent.

    Adding actions to 'Hey Google' routines on Android.

  11. Place a check mark in Adjust media Volume and tap the Cog to the right.

  12. Set Media volume slider to 0 and tap OK.

  13. Place a check mark in Send a text and tap the Cog.

  14. Enter the phone number and message you want to text. We suggest I'm being pulled over and recording a video of the encounter. Please check my Google Photos for the recording. Tap OK

    Adding an action to a Google Assistant routine on Android.

  15. Tap Add at the top.

    It's important to tap Add in the browse popular commands box, and then tap Add Action to add more commands. If you don't add the popular commands before switching to Enter a command the previous commands will not be saved.

  16. Tap Add action.

  17. Tap Enter command.

  18. Type Turn on Do not disturb.

  19. Tap Add.

    Adding more action steps to a routine on Google Assistant for Android.

  20. Tap Add Action.

  21. Type Set Screen brightness to 0.

  22. Tap Add.

    Adding a brightness action to a 'Hey Google' routine on Android.

  23. Tap Add action.

  24. Type Take a selfie video.

    As mentioned earlier, if you intend to hold your phone, or would rather use the rear-facing camera, change this instruction to Take a video instead of Take a selfie video.

  25. Tap Add.

    For these past three actions, it's important to type the commands exactly as they appear. Typos and variations of the phrases may cause unpredictable results.

  26. Tap Save.

    Finalizing the 'I'm getting pulled over' shortcut on Android.

Once you are done, you will simply need to say "Hey Google, I'm getting pulled over" to begin the routine.

If you want to test the routine, be sure you mute any Google Home speakers you may be around. Google Home speakers take precedence over phones when executing Google Assistant commands, and they can't do all of the steps in the routine, so they may get confused.

Reddit user FeistyAppearance wrote instructions for this routine and YouTuber Juan Carlos Bagnell put together a video tutorial on what it does and how it works. In this case, you can add or change any of the steps we suggest. If you follow the steps we prescribe, your phone will:

What Will an 'I'm Getting Pulled Over' Shortcut Do?

  • Send a text to a contact
  • Put your phone on silent
  • Turn down any media that might be playing (podcasts/music/etc.)
  • Set your screen brightness to zero
  • Turn on Do Not Disturb
  • Start a selfie video

The video that this routine starts is a "selfie video" meaning it is a video captured using the front-facing camera. This assumes that your phone is in a cradle mounted on your dashboard. If you intend to hold your phone, or have it positioned differently, you may want to capture a video with the rear-mounted cameras.

Is This Shortcut Legal?

Before creating this routine it's a good idea to know your legal standing regarding recording police encounters. Different states have different rules.

The ACLU and EFF (Electronics Frontier Foundation) both have great articles about it, so it's a good idea to visit those sites, in addition to doing your own research. This is especially true if you live outside of the US.

Generally, recording interactions with police in the course of their public duties is considered a First Amendment right under the Constitution of the United States.

iPhones can use a Siri shortcut that allows you to do this automatically.

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