My iPhone is stuck in SOS mode after accidentally activating it. I can’t call or text normally. Can someone explain how to turn off SOS mode so I can use my phone again?
Okay, so your iPhone is stuck in SOS Mode, huh? Basically, SOS mode kicks in when your phone thinks you’re trying to call emergency services, or you’ve lost connection to your normal network. Here’s what you gotta do:
-
Check your network: Sometimes SOS mode happens because your phone can’t find your carrier’s signal, and it’s depending on emergency networks only. Go to Settings > Cellular and check if your carrier is still selected.
-
Restart the phone: Classic IT move. Just turn it off and on again. Hold the power button and slide to power off. Once it’s off, power it back on. Might fix itself.
-
Turn off Emergency SOS shortcuts: If you triggered it accidentally via button combos, disable those. Head to Settings > Emergency SOS. There’s a setting for ‘Call with Side Button’ or ‘Auto Call’. Turn those off.
-
Reset network settings: If none of the above works, go nuclear (not really). Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Keep in mind this wipes saved Wi-Fi passwords, so take note or just hope you remember them.
-
Contact your carrier: If resetting network settings doesn’t do it, maybe it’s a carrier issue. Call them up (from another phone) and see if they can help reconnect your number to the network.
-
Update iOS: Outdated software can sometimes glitch stuff out. Check if your iOS software is updated.
SOS is just dramatic for no reason sometimes, so don’t freak out. Fix it, and move on.
Yeah okay, SOS mode is annoying, but let’s take a step back before diving into the abyss. @sonhadordobosque covered the basics, sure, but honestly, some of that seems a little extreme, like resetting network settings right away. Not saying they’re wrong—I mean, if you’re desperate, go ahead—but there’s stuff you could try first before wiping your Wi-Fi passwords into oblivion.
Here’s what I’d suggest (without making your life more difficult):
-
Force close apps: Sometimes the phone freaks out because an app bugs out in the background. Swipe up, throw those apps away. Then check again—maybe it’s a rogue app causing the drama.
-
Toggle Airplane Mode: Surprise move, right? Swipe down to Control Center, hit the airplane icon. Turn it off after a few seconds. This forces a network refresh without all the hassle of resets. Less nuclear, more finesse.
-
SIM Card Check: Honestly, SOS mode can be the kind of thing even a loose SIM card causes. Pop that SIM out, reseat it, then see if your phone remembers how to be normal. If you’ve got an eSIM, ignore this obviously—but still, worth considering for the old-school users.
-
Wi-Fi Calling: If your carrier allows Wi-Fi calling, that might sneak you out of SOS mode. Go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling, toggle it on. Maybe it’ll sidestep the issue temporarily so you can still function.
Also, low-key, updating iOS is solid advice (shocking how often that fixes nonsense), but do you have enough free storage? If your phone’s a cluttered mess like most humans’, clean out some junk first. Those 300 identical screenshots of memes from 2019? Yeah, you don’t need them.
Lastly, SOS Mode flipping on sometimes means your carrier’s service is just borked where you are. Happens. It’s like the universe’s way of telling you to go touch grass. Give it an hour or two—it might just resolve itself without all the panic. Or… don’t listen to me and jump straight to resetting the network like @sonhadordobosque suggested. Up to you.
Alright, let’s cut through the noise and hit SOS mode with some finesse. While @viajantedoceu and @sonhadordobosque have covered solid ground, they seem to dive a bit deep pretty fast. Reset this, launch that; sure, fine, but before you nuke your network settings or disable shortcuts you might actually find useful someday, let me sprinkle in some surgical moves.
1. Manual Carrier Selection
SOS mode sometimes kicks in when your phone’s just being picky about networks. Go to Settings > Cellular > Network Selection and disable automatic selection. Pick your carrier manually. This forces your device to wake up and smell the actual network it’s ignoring.
Pros:
- No need to reset anything drastic.
- Can work instantly if it’s a carrier confusion issue.
Cons:
- If you’re traveling or in a low-service area, it might still glitch out.
2. Check for Software Conflict
Ever installed a weird app or some VPN/connectivity tool right before SOS hijacked your phone? Yeah, that could be the culprit. Uninstall any shady or overly ‘helpful’ apps temporarily and see if that stabilizes things.
Pros:
- Zero impact on your core phone settings.
- Fixes any sneaky app conflicts.
Cons:
- If you actually use those apps, you might need to monitor which one’s causing the issue.
3. Carrier Settings Update
This sneaky little setting update lurks in Settings > General > About. If there’s a carrier settings update available (it usually pops up when you visit this menu), hit update. These updates sometimes get skipped but hold the key to fixing glitches.
Pros:
- Non-invasive and keeps your phone settings/bevy of Wi-Fi passwords intact.
- Updates straight from your carrier.
Cons:
- Requires an active network connection, so if you’re offline, SOS mode might not allow you to update.
4. Low-Tech Check: Battery & Signal Areas
Look, SOS mode can rage when your battery’s tanking or network towers are just having a bad day. Charge your phone to at least 50% and, if you’ve moved into a tunnel, basement, or a cell tower’s blind spot, step outside for a stronger signal. Sometimes an obvious fix is the best one.
Pros:
- Simple and doesn’t require fiddling with settings.
- Solves intermittent carrier signal issues.
Cons:
- If there’s a more significant underlying issue, this won’t cut it.
Quick Thought on the Other Strategies
Both @viajantedoceu and @sonhadordobosque suggest resetting network settings early—great for last-ditch efforts, but why punish yourself with re-entering Wi-Fi passwords prematurely? Save that move for deep troubleshooting. And turning off ‘Emergency SOS’ shortcuts seems fine unless you depend on them during actual emergencies.
Ending on this: patience is underrated. If none of this works, there’s still hope. These SOS blips occasionally resolve on their own if it’s your carrier having a bad hair day! Give it time before spiraling into tech-doomsday-mode.