Easy ways to fix an iPhone stuck on SOS mode

⚡ Fast fix 

• Check your signal. If there’s no bars or it says “SOS only,” move to a stronger coverage area.
• Toggle Airplane Mode. Turn it on for 10 seconds, then off—this refreshes your connection.
• Restart your iPhone. A quick reboot can reset the cellular connection.
• Update carrier settings. Go to Settings > General > About and install any available update.

Emergency SOS on your iPhone® could save your life. But if your phone uses this feature to accidentally call emergency services or worse, gets stuck in SOS mode, well, that’s stressful. 

Don’t worry, Asurion Experts help millions of people fix their favorite devices every day. If your iPhone is frozen or you want to use Wi-Fi Calling, we can help. Here’s what to do if you’re wondering, “Why is my phone stuck in SOS mode?” 

What’s Emergency SOS Mode? 

Emergency SOS is your iPhone’s built-in 911 shortcut. When activated, it automatically dials emergency services and pings them your location.

Once the call wraps up, your iPhone blasts a text to your emergency contacts letting them know you’re in trouble, and it'll even send them live location updates if you’re on the move.

Why would your iPhone get stuck in Emergency SOS mode? 

Here are a few possible reasons your iPhone might get stuck on SOS.  

• You accidentally brought up the power off/Emergency SOS screen by pressing and holding either the Volume button and the Side button at the same time for two seconds. 
• Your iPhone has a software glitch. 
• Your network settings are incorrect.
• You have Wi-Fi issues. 
• You tried to bypass built-in security on your iPhone (known as jailbreaking), to install unauthorized apps. 

How to fix an iPhone stuck on Emergency SOS mode 

If your iPhone is stuck on Emergency SOS, you won’t be able to use your device until you fix it. Here’s what to do: 

Force restart your iPhone

Often, the easiest fix is to restart your device. This will likely get you out of SOS mode. A restart is different than just holding the Power button to turn it off and turning it on again.

To force restart an iPhone 8 or later (including iPhone SE 2nd generation):

1. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button. 
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the side button. 
3. When the Apple® logo appears, release the side button. 

If you have an earlier iPhone model, reach out to one of our experts for help. 

Make sure your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network

Still stuck in SOS mode? Try checking and if necessary, resetting your network settings. Here’s how: 

• Swipe down from the top-right corner and toggle Airplane Mode on, wait five seconds, then flip it off.
• Ensure Cellular Data is toggled on in that same menu; if it's already on, try toggling it off and back on to force a reconnection.
• Check your Wi-Fi status to ensure you aren't stuck trying to connect to a weak, "dead" hotspot that's blocking your cellular signal.

Reset your network connections

Still having issues? Try resetting your network settings. 

This step will erase Wi-Fi network passwords and cellular settings, so you make sure you have them in a safe and accessible place before you continue.

1. Open Settings and tap General.
2. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap Reset, then select Reset Network Settings.
4. Enter your passcode and confirm. 

Update your software

Software issues could lead to your phone getting stuck in SOS mode. Try updating it to solve the problem.

1. Open Settings > General > Software Update. 
2. If there’s an update available, tap Download and Install or Update Now.

Try Recovery Mode

As a last resort, use Recovery Mode to fix a device stuck on SOS mode. Connect your iPhone to a computer and open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows), then:

For iPhone 8 or later:

1. Press and quickly release Volume Up.
2. Press and quickly release Volume Down.
3. Hold the Side button until the cable-and-computer icon appears on your screen.
4. Choose Update on your computer to reinstall the software without wiping your data.

Restore your iPhone 

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and find it in Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows).
2. Click Restore when the pop-up asks if you want to Update or Restore.
3. Keep the cable plugged in even if the phone screen goes black—it's still working.
4. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes and the phone reboots, let the file finish downloading, then put the phone back into Recovery Mode to start the process.

Remove and reinsert your SIM card

You can remove and reinsert the SIM card on any iPhone model with a physical SIM tray, except for iPhone 14 and later models purchased in the U.S. that use an eSIM. Here's how:

1. Power down your iPhone completely.
2. Insert a SIM tool or paperclip into the small hole on the side tray.
3. Gently push until the tray pops out and remove the card.
4. Wipe the gold contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth and reseat it.
5. Slide the tray back in until it’s flush, then power on.
6. Check if the issue is resolved. If not, try restarting your phone or contact your carrier.

FAQ

What does "SOS only" mean on my iPhone?

When your iPhone says "SOS" or "SOS only," it means it’s not fully connected to your cellular network. You can still make emergency calls, but you won’t have regular service for texts, calls, or data.

Why is my iPhone stuck in SOS mode even after restarting?

If a restart didn’t work, it could be a SIM card issue, a problem with your carrier settings, or even a software glitch. Try removing and reinserting your SIM, updating carrier settings, or resetting your network settings.

Can a bad SIM card cause SOS mode?

Yes, it can. If your SIM card is damaged, dirty, or not seated properly, your phone might not connect to your carrier—leaving it stuck in SOS mode. Swapping in a working SIM can help you test this quickly.

Will updating my iPhone fix SOS mode?

It might. If the issue is caused by a software bug or outdated carrier settings, updating your iOS could resolve it. Just make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi so the update can download properly.

Do I need to contact my carrier if SOS mode won’t go away?

If you’ve tried all the usual fixes and nothing’s changed, it’s a good idea to reach out to your carrie