iPhone SOS Mode: Why It Appears and How to Resolve It

Have you ever seen “SOS” displayed on your iPhone and wondered what it means? This guide will explain why this happens and provide steps to resolve it.

Why Might SOS Show Up on My iPhone?

Particularly in extreme weather, some iPhone owners have found their phones showing “SOS” or “SOS only” on the status bar. This happens when your iPhone breaks off contact to its cellular network. SOS mode guarantees you can still call emergency services, therefore preventing total disconnection from the world.

Understanding the SOS Feature and How to Resolve It

When your iPhone shows “SOS” or “SOS only,” it’s notifying you that it can’t connect to a cellular network. Instead of displaying “No Service” or “Searching,” it indicates the phone can still make emergency calls. In this mode, your iPhone can dial local emergency numbers and share your location with emergency responders.

How to Exit SOS Mode

Often, external factors beyond your control cause your phone to enter SOS mode. However, you can try the following troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

1. Check Cellular Coverage: Ensure you are in an area with cellular network coverage.
2. Toggle Cellular Data:
   • Go to Settings.
   • Turn off Cellular Data or Mobile Data, then turn it back on.
3. Enable Data Roaming (if abroad):
   • Go to Settings.
   • Select Cellular or Mobile Data.
   • Tap Cellular Data Options.
   • Enable Data Roaming.
4. Restart Your Device: Simply reboot your iPhone.
5. Check Carrier Settings Update:
   • Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network.
   • Go to Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you will be prompted to install it.
6. Toggle Airplane Mode:
   • Go to Settings.
   • Turn on Airplane Mode, wait a few seconds, then turn it off.
7. Reinsert Your SIM Card: If using a physical SIM card, remove and reinsert it. If using an eSIM, ensure it is correctly set up.
8. Reset Network Settings:
   • Go to Settings > General > Reset.
   • Select Reset Network Settings. Note that this will erase your saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings.

If these steps don’t work, ensure your iPhone has the latest iOS version installed:

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.

Can’t Get Off SOS? Contact Your Carrier

If none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, it’s time to reach out to your cellular carrier. They can check for local outages, verify your account status, and ensure your device isn’t restricted from accessing the cellular network.

How SOS Functions on iPhones

For iPhone 8 and later models, making an SOS call is straightforward. Simply press and hold one of the volume buttons along with the side button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Drag the slider to call emergency services. If you continue to hold down the buttons without dragging the slider, a countdown will begin, and an alert will sound. If the countdown completes, the phone will automatically call emergency services.

For iPhone 7 and earlier models, quickly press the side or top button five times to bring up the Emergency SOS slider. Drag the slider to make the emergency call.

Adding Emergency Contacts

Your iPhone allows you to add emergency contacts that will be notified when you make an SOS call. Here’s how to add them:

1. Open the Health app and tap your profile picture.
2. Select Medical ID.
3. Tap Edit.
4. Scroll to the Emergency Contacts section and tap the add button.
5. Choose a contact and specify their relationship to you.
6. Tap Done to save your settings.

Removing Emergency Contacts

If you need to remove an emergency contact, follow these steps:

1. Open the Health app and tap your profile picture.
2. Select Medical ID.
3. Tap Edit.
4. Scroll to the Emergency Contacts section.
5. Tap the minus button next to the contact you want to remove.
6. Tap Done to save your changes.

Activating Wi-Fi Calling

You can enable Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone to make emergency calls when cellular service is unavailable. Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Phone.
3. Select Wi-Fi Calling.
4. Follow the prompts to enable Wi-Fi calling.

Apple advises that you may need to enter or verify your address for emergency services when using Wi-Fi calling. Once enabled, “Wi-Fi” will display in the status bar when Wi-Fi calling is active, ensuring your iPhone can make emergency calls using available Wi-Fi networks if cellular service is not available.