Well, are you wondering to know what does SOS mean on iPhone? Then scroll through the article and get all the details.
Mobile phones have come a long way in this fast-paced digital era. They are more than just devices for communication and entertainment.
Instead, these powerful tools can assist in critical situations, including emergencies. But what if your phone itself lands in trouble?
We are talking about that nasty “SOS only on your iPhone” message that cuts your connection from the world while causing trouble when placing calls. And wait – it’s not a setting you’ve mistakenly enabled.
Although you can quickly fix the SOS-only iPhone issue, it’s still good to know exactly what does SOS mean on iPhone.
So, are you ready to explore? Follow along to get all the answers.
Table of Contents
What Does SOS Mean on iPhone?
When getting SOS only on iPhone messages, you’ll either see a message of
- No Service or Searching Error in the Status Bar
- An “SOS only” at the top-right corner in iOS 16 and the top-left corner in iOS 15 or earlier.
While SOS only simply indicates that the iPhone isn’t connected to a cellular network, you still can make emergency calls. This feature is mainly available in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Remember that iPhone 14 introduced satellite SOS capability first, so you must avoid spelunking or deep sea diving with your iPhone 14 to prevent this message.
On an iPhone 13 or earlier, if you pass out of even SOS service, you will only see it shift to a “No Service” message.
However, whether connected to cellular coverage or not, you can still call emergency numbers, like 911 (US), 112 (Europe), or similar services.
If you are unable to install update 15.7 and are looking for solutions, so check the latest guide is for you.
Why is Your iPhone Showing SOS Only?
Now that you know what SOS means on your iPhone, it’s time to shift to why your iPhone shows this message or what exactly triggered it.
There are many reasons for that. A few of them are mentioned here.
- Firstly, it could mean your iPhone isn’t receiving the proper cellular network due to poor network coverage.
- Secondly, the error also appears that your SIM doesn’t have roaming privileges or the network has been changed to a different one in iPhone settings.
- You may be facing SOS only on your iPhone due to the wrong SIM insertion, and even worse, the SIM card has stopped working altogether due to non-payment of bills, physical damage, or something else.
Can I Fix SOS Only on iPhones?
The resounding answer is YES. There are multiple ways to get rid of the error, including:
- Restart your iPhone
- Re-insert SIM
- Turn off cellular data
- Check network
- Enable data roaming and LTE
- Select the right network
- Reset network settings
- Update your iPhone settings
- Update iOS
Frequently Answered Questions
Q. How to Disable SOS?
Ans. To disable SOS, swipe down to open the Control Center. Press and hold the Emergency SOS button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Slide the Emergency SOS slider to the left to turn it off.
Q. How to Activate the SOS Feature on iPhone?
Ans. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
Final Call
So, is your iPhone crying out for help?
Fret not SOS only iPhone is a temporary glitch that often appears due to poor network coverage. Hence, don’t stress over it; use the above tricks to remove it permanently.
We hope you have now understood what does SOS mean on iPhone.
If the message still appears despite following all the tips mentioned above, reach out to your network provider and let them handle the rest.
