When you travel outside of cities, your iPhone might show “SOS” on the screen. This means you can only make emergency calls and don’t have regular cell service. Even when you return to an area with good service, the SOS status might stay on your screen. You might try holding your phone up high, but still not get internet access. What’s going on? Let’s talk about Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature and how to fix your iPhone when it’s stuck in SOS mode.
Emergency SOS via Satellite is a feature on iPhone 14 and newer models. It lets you contact emergency services and share your location, even without cell service. If you see “SOS” on your iPhone, it means you can use Emergency SOS via Satellite for help. Remember, regular Emergency SOS calls the local emergency number and needs service to work. It’s not the same as Emergency SOS via Satellite.
When your iPhone is in SOS mode, it might struggle to reconnect to the network, even in a service area. Other people might have service while you don’t, or vice versa. How do you fix this issue?
If your iPhone shows “SOS” or “SOS only,” you can try these steps:
– Confirm you’re in a service area by checking with others.
– Toggle your cellular data off and on in Settings.
– Restart your iPhone. Press the volume and side buttons, then slide to power off. Wait, then press and hold the side button to turn it back on.
– Look for a carrier update in Settings > General > About.
– Turn your cellular line off and on in Settings.
– Update your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update.
– Reset network settings in Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
If you still have network issues, contact your carrier. For international travel, make sure data roaming is on in Settings > Cellular. If problems persist, reach out to your carrier for help. Remember, Emergency SOS via Satellite is there for you when you’re in need, even without regular service.
