How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone: 3 Easy Steps!

What You Need to Know

• Many people want to know how to turn off SOS on iPhone
• You can disable SOS through the settings on your iPhone under Emergency SOS
• If you see “SOS” or “SOS ONLY” in the status bar you are not connected to a cellular network but can still make emergency calls
• Apple introduced satellite communication with the iPhone 14

Introduction

Beginning in 2017 with the release of the iPhone 8, Apple introduced SOS functionality enabling owners to contact emergency services when they are not connected to a cellular network.

This functionality has proven to be extremely valuable to people who are caught in an emergency situation. However, there are circumstances when you may want to turn off this service, especially if you have a habit of accidentally calling emergency services! But fear not, we have the quick and easy steps to disable emergency SOS on your iPhone.

What is SOS on iPhone

Historically, the acronym SOS has had two meanings – “Save Our Ship” and “Save Our Souls”. But more recently it has been associated with numerous situations requiring you to contact emergency services.

As we mentioned above, Apple introduced this method of contacting emergency services with the release of the iPhone 8 in 2017. This allowed iPhone owners to contact emergency services even if they were not connected to a cellular network.

It’s important to differentiate between “SOS” and “No Service” showing in the iPhone status bar. SOS means that while you are not connected to a cellular network you can make an emergency call. “No Service” means that you can’t make an emergency call!

Apple rectified the “No Service” issue in 2022, when they upgraded SOS with the release of the iPhone 14. With this release, they added satellite communication, allowing iPhone 14 users to contact emergency services from anywhere! This enhanced capability is not available on prior models of the iPhone.

Why Turn Off SOS on Your iPhone

So the question that remains – if this service is so valuable, why would anyone ever want to disable emergency SOS on their iPhone? Surely, the pros must outweigh the cons in this situation? The reality is that it is quite easy to activate emergency SOS on your iPhone, and that means that it is more prone to accidental dials that you might think.

At a certain point, it can become nuisance. You might find that your phone holder in your car might accidentally hold down the side and volume buttons. This will initiate a call to emergency services. In other cases someone might hold the side and volume button too long when trying to take a screenshot (which can activate an emergency call). Those are just two examples why someone would want to disable SOS.

3 Easy Steps Showing How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone

The steps to disable SOS on your iPhone are very simple and straight forward:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Scroll down and open Emergency SOS
3. Disable “Call with Hold and Release” and “Call with 5 Button Presses“

One last caveat for iPhone 14 and above users – you can disable “Call After Severe Crash” as well on this screen. This feature does not apply to any iPhone models prior to the iPhone 14.

Once these steps are completed the only ways to contact emergency services is to either call 911 (in the United States) or press and hold the volume and side buttons. You can then use the slider to activate emergency SOS.

Common Misconceptions When Disabling SOS

While reviewing Apple’s discussion boards and other articles regarding how to disable emergency SOS on your iPhone, I came across several pieces of misinformation and misconceptions.

The first piece of misinformation regards how to turn off SOS on iPhone. For instance, you cannot use Siri to disable this functionality! One article said that you can activate Siri and ask it to disable emergency SOS, and this is completely wrong. If you do this, Siri will actually attempt to call emergency services!

The second piece of information I came across that is completely false is that you can disable SOS from inside command center. This also is not true, there are no options to disable SOS inside command center.

The final misconception is that you can completely disable SOS on your iPhone. This is not completely true. While you can disable “Call with Hold and Release” and “Call with 5 Button Presses” – this only disable those methods of contacting emergency services. The SOS call Slider on your power screen will still be there and cannot be disabled.

What if Your iPhone is Stuck in SOS Mode?

One special scenario we want to discuss is what do you do when your iPhone is stuck in SOS mode? This happens when the status bar on your iPhone says “SOS” or “SOS ONLY“.

Luckily, there are several steps you can take to solve this problem before engaging your carrier or Apple Support.

Airplane Mode

The first thing to try when your iPhone is in SOS mode is to try enabling and disabling Airplane mode. Doing this will force your phone to reconnect with the local carriers. To do this:

• Open Settings on your iPhone
• Toggle Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds and then turn it off

If your phone does not connect to a local cellular network move on to the next step.

Check your data roaming settings

If you are traveling outside your carriers network you need to have data roaming turned on. This will allow you to connect to other carriers. In the United States this is usually not a big deal because people have unlimited data and cellular plans so there is no additional charges. However, be careful if you are traveling to another country!!! You will most likely be subject to additional usage fees when connecting to a carrier outside the United States.

To check your Data Roaming settings:

• Open Settings
• Tap Cellular
• Enable Cellular Data
• Tap Cellular Data Options
• Enable Data Roaming

With Data Roaming is enabled you should be able to connect to a local carrier even if they are not your primary carrier. As we mentioned, if you travel abroad, be aware that you may be charged to connect to a cellular network in that country. It’s best to contact your primary carrier prior to traveling to understand your options and purchase an international plan if required.

Restart your iPhone

If you continue to have problems, you should restart your phone to see if it connects properly after the reboot. Instructions showing how to restart your iPhone can be found on Apple’s support site.

Eject and reinsert your Sim Card

Next we want to make sure there is no physical damage to your SIM card and that it is seated properly in your phone. First, turn off your phone. Then use a SIM tool or a paperclip to eject the Sim Card from your iPhone.

Examine the SIM Card for any damage and then reinsert it into your iPhone. Make sure the card is completely inserted before powering your iPhone up.

Check if there are any carrier updates

In some cases there might be a carrier update you need to be installed. These updates provide network settings to improve cellular performance and connectivity. Usually you will automatically be prompted to complete the installation. However, if it is not a mandatory update you may need to complete the installation manually.

To update your carrier settings:

• Open Settings
• Tap General
• Tap About

Follow the instructions to complete the installation.

Reset network settings to factory default settings

If you have exhausted all the options to this point, it’s time to reset your network settings. Resetting your network settings will remove all network, wifi, and VPN configurations. Before, resetting make sure you have the name and password to your Wifi network!

To reset your Network Settings:

• Open Settings
• Tap General
• Select Transfer or Reset iPhone
• Tap Reset
• Select Reset Network Settings

After completing these steps you will need to reconnect to your Wifi network.

Update your iPhone to the latest version of IOS

It is always best practice to make sure you are running the latest version of IOS on your iPhone. These updates assist with solving any compatibility issues between your phone and other devices.

To check to make sure you are up to date:

• Open Settings
• Tap General
• Select Software Update

On this screen you will see any updates that are available. You can tap Install Now or Download and Install. Follow the instructions to complete the installation. For more detailed instructions on updating the software on your iPhone visit Apple’s Support site.

Talk to your carrier or Apple

At this point, if your problem persists, you should contact your carrier. They can review your account and see if there are any issues that would impact your services. It’s important to verify that your account is current and in good standing. You’ll also want to make sure there are no network outages in your area that are impacting your iPhone connectivity and performance.

Keep in mind, Apple cannot make any changes to your account or carrier settings. However, if you continue to have issues after the carrier verifies everything on their side you should contact Apple support. They will be able to verify if you have an undiagnosed hardware issue with your iPhone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SOS feature on iPhones, introduced with the iPhone 8 and enhanced in later models, is a vital tool for emergency communication. However, there are situations where you might want to disable it to prevent accidental calls.

We hope this article has answered your questions related to disabling SOS on your iPhone and clarified some common misconceptions. Remember, while disabling certain SOS functions is possible, it’s important to understand the iPhone’s capabilities, especially in an emergency.

Always keep your iPhone updated and consult with your carrier or Apple support for any persistent issues. This knowledge empowers you to manage your iPhone’s SOS settings effectively, ensuring that you have control over when and how you reach out for emergency assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Emergency SOS using satellite communications?

When Apple released the iPhone 14 they introduced satellite communications on the iPhone. This meant that the iPhone 14 (and later models) could connect from anywhere during an emergency! This solved the “No Service” issue that plagued earlier versions of the iPhone.

What is the difference between “SOS” vs “No Service” on my iPhone?

“SOS” and “SOS ONLY” indicate that your iPhone is not connected to a cellular network but you are still able to dial emergency services if needed. “No Service” indicates that you are not connected to ANY network and CANNOT call emergency services.