Is your iPhone stuck in SOS mode? Here’s how to fix it

It’s an all-too-familiar scene: you’re exploring a new area, you pull out your phone, and you see the dreaded SOS symbol in the upper right corner. This feels like a death knell in our phone-addicted landscape. But that doesn’t mean your phone is completely useless. If you see the SOS or SOS only symbol, you may be able to contact emergency services via other available cellular networks. For iPhone 14s and later models, users can also make emergency calls and send text messages via Apple’s satellite network.

SOS capabilities are an essential safety feature, especially for those traveling off-grid. As it stands, Apple says users can contact satellites in 18 countries around the world, namely Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Through these cellular and satellite connections, iPhone users can also communicate their location to loved ones, share their medical ID card with emergency personnel, request roadside assistance, and notify loved ones of emergency situations. On the other hand, users who see a No service Or Research The symbol at the top of their phone’s status bar is not connected to any network and cannot make calls or send text messages.

If you’re considering moving away from the network, it might be a good idea to check out Apple’s guide on using its Emergency SOS satellites to your advantage. In this document, you will learn not only how to connect to the company’s satellite network, but also all the preventative measures they can take to maximize their satellite experience. Those who want to test their phone’s SOS connection can do so by following Apple’s guide on using its Connection Assistant.

But what if your phone is in SOS mode and you’re not hiking through wild, untamed wilderness? Fortunately, regaining your phone’s cellular access may be easier than you think.

Apple’s support page offers several solutions to your SOS problems. The first is to try connecting to your available cellular network. To do this, Apple suggests you try switching to airplane mode for at least 15 seconds before returning to your regular cellular settings. If such a fix doesn’t solve your problem, Apple offers the tried-and-true classic of turning your phone off and on again. The guys from The IT crowd would be proud.

If these rudimentary solutions don’t resolve your carrier problem, your iPhone or iPad may need an update. To do this, visit your device settings, press the button General and find the section titled Software update to install the latest version of iOS on your device. Of course, this is also where Automatic updates to potentially avoid any software update issues in the future.

Now let’s check your SIM cards, because problems might also arise if you use an iPhone with multiple SIM cards. To confirm that your cell lines are working properly, go to your phone Settings application and press Cellularwhere you should find a list of your available SIM and eSIM cards. From there, choose the cell line you want to use and click Activate this line if it is displayed as off. If you are using a physical SIM card, try removing and reinserting it.

If you’re still in SOS mode, it’s time to check your carrier settings. On the one hand, users can manually find and install available carrier settings updates by visiting the General tab in their settings. If your carrier settings are all updated, the problem may be with your carrier itself. Unfortunately, consumers must contact their carrier directly to resolve any such issues – which is obviously difficult if you can only make emergency calls. However, if you are able to find a Wi-Fi connection, Apple suggests confirming that you are within your network’s service area, checking to see if your device can’t receive cellular service through your carrier, and verifying that your account “is active and in good standing.”

If your phone continues to have problems, it may be worth running a diagnostic check. If you’re using iOS 18 or later, you can do this directly through the company’s Apple Support app. Available in the App Store, the app allows users to troubleshoot issues and run diagnostic checks directly on their phone.

Certain extenuating circumstances may cause your iPhone to go into SOS mode. As an avid globetrotter, I have often encountered this problem when traveling abroad. The most likely problem in this case is that your phone’s data roaming settings are not enabled. Data roaming allows your device to operate outside of your network coverage area using another carrier’s network. Typically, this is done through pre-established partnerships between your carrier and local mobile providers.

To resolve this issue and enable data roaming, visit your Settings the app Cellular tongue. From there, enable the desired cellular data network and click Cellular Data Optionswhere you can find and activate Data roaming option. However, do so with caution, as using Data Roaming may incur additional charges. As a general rule, it’s always best to confirm your plan’s international options before traveling.

If you are using an international eSIM, see the instructions above on managing dual SIM cards. To ensure your travel eSIM works properly, it is best to deactivate your other operator or activate data switching, which will allow you to use data from both plans to ensure the best possible coverage. However, again, it is important to note that the use Data switching abroad may expose you to additional charges. However, if you don’t mind the hit to your wallet, turn on the Allow cellular data change feature in the Cellular Data Settings tab to enjoy extended cellular coverage.