What is SoS on iPhone? How to Turn it Off on Apple Devices

Apple has always been ahead of every other smartphone company when it comes to offering convenient features like SoS to people. It is a service feature that is used to make emergency calls whenever you’re facing a network outage.

However, it can be a problem as well. A common problem with SoS on iPhone is that it can appear out of nowhere. It can cause a lot of trouble by stopping you from accessing a network connection. Fortunately, it’s a fixable problem.

In this article, I am going to discuss a few quick fixes you can try out to tackle this issue. Let’s start.

SoS on iPhone is a feature that allows people to make emergency calls in case they can’t connect to any cellular network.

It is also used for emergency calls when you can’t unlock your mobile phone. Users can access the SoS feature on older iPhones through pressing the lock button a few times. However, the iPhone 14 and newer use SoS to indicate network outages.

It’s common for people to go to remote places or highways where their phones cannot access a network. In such cases, the SoS icon pops at the place where network signal bars are usually displayed. It tells the user that he cannot use cellular data and will have to use a satellite connection to make emergency phone calls or text messages.

Although the SoS feature is useful, it can cause a common problem. Your phone might start showing this option even when you’re in urban areas or have proper network coverage.

It can be annoying since you won’t be able to make normal phone calls or connect to the Internet. There is no official or valid reason for why it happens. Even newer models like the iPhone 15 show this issue.

To fix this issue, you have to go through a bunch of different methods. The details are in the below part.

1. Wait and Make Sure You’re in Network Coverage

The first thing you need to do is wait for a while for things in the right place. Sometimes, the SoS option disappears on its own. Also, make sure you’re in proper network coverage. Try using another phone to see if it picks up the signals. If it doesn’t, move to a network coverage area to fix the issue.

2. Restart the Phone

You can solve many common issues with iPhones just by simply restarting the device. So, that’s what you need to do here as well.

• Press and hold the Power + Volume Up button.
• Slide towards the left to Power off.

• After a few seconds, turn on the phone again.
• It will fix the issue, hopefully.

3. Toggle on/off Cellular Option

Sometimes, toggling the cellular option on/off can fix the SoS issue immediately.

• Simply, slide the features from the screen session.
• Choose the Cellular data option and toggle.

• Possibly, the issue will be resolved.

4. Turn on Data Roaming

Turning on Data Roaming is a simple yet quick procedure for fixing such errors. It is recommended that you do this while visiting a foreign country. However, you have to pay a little extra with this mode on.

• Open settings.
• Go to cellular
• Now, click on “Cellular Data Options”.
• Here, turn on the roaming option.

5. Check for Carrier Setting Updates

Another way to fix the issue is to check for carrier settings updates. Usually, a user is notified whenever an update arrives, but it can also be checked manually.

• Go to settings
• Open General
• Here, click on “About”

• Use guidelines for updating.
• If there are no guidelines, then your settings are already up-to-date. In that situation, move on to the next method.

6. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings usually fix up every minor network glitch or error. So, it is wise to try this out.

• Open settings
• Go to General and then Transfer or Reset
• Here, click on Reset
• Now, select Reset Network Settings.

7. Contact with Network Carrier

If you’re still facing the issue, it’s time to contact your network carrier. Sometimes, the SoS on iPhone does not go away even after applying all the methods. So, it is recommended to get professional help from network carriers. They can guide you in a better way to fix the issue.

SoS on iPhone is a useful feature that lets you know whenever you’re out of network coverage. On newer phones, it lets people use satellite connections to make emergency calls. However, it can show up even when you have proper network coverage.

It’s a glitchy error that can be fixed by using some quick methods. The above-mentioned methods can help you fix it. If they don’t, you should seek professional help from your network career.

Is the SoS option available on older iPhones?

Yes. It is available on older iPhones as well.

Can I open this option manually?

Yes. This option can be opened manually by constantly clicking the power and volume up buttons.

Is SoS a serious network issue?

Probably not. It’s usually fixable using common methods.