
What Does SOS Mean on iPhone? Recognizing the Emergency Function
When you glance at your iPhone and notice “SOS” or “SOS Only” displayed in the status bar, it can be a cause for concern. What this indicator means, why it appears, and how to deal with it are discussed in depth in this article.
Understanding the iPhone’s SOS Indicator Your iPhone’s
“SOS” or “SOS Only” message means that it isn’t connected to your usual cellular network. However, it can still make calls in an emergency. You will be able to reach emergency services even if you do not have standard network access thanks to this feature.
Why is the SOS message showing up?

Several scenarios can trigger the SOS indicator:
- Network Issues: Your carrier’s network might be down or experiencing issues.
- Problems with SIM Cards: Connectivity can be disrupted if a SIM card is inserted incorrectly or in the wrong way.
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How to Resolve the SOS Indicator
To address the SOS message:
- Make sure your cellular settings are correctly configured by checking the network settings.
- Restart Your iPhone: A simple restart can sometimes restore connectivity.
- Inspect the SIM Card: Remove and reinsert the SIM card to ensure it’s seated properly.
- Update Carrier Settings: Navigate to Settings > General > About to check for carrier updates.
- Contact Your Carrier: If issues persist, reaching out to your service provider can help identify and resolve the problem.
Satellite SOS for an emergency

Emergency SOS via satellite was introduced by Apple for iPhone 14 and later models.
Users can use this feature to get in touch with the emergency services even when they aren’t in cellular or Wi-Fi range.
Your iPhone can send messages to emergency responders containing information about your location and situation by connecting to a satellite.
Improvements to SOS and iOS updates
Apple improves the Emergency SOS feature with each new iOS version, including the following: Better Location Tracking: Emergency services receive more accurate locations.
Satellite support is available for remote-area emergencies on newer iPhone models. Integration of Crash Detection: If a serious car accident is detected on an iPhone 14 or later, your device can automatically initiate an emergency call.
Setting Up Contacts for an Emergency
To be safer, it is a good idea to compile a list of your emergency contacts.
Install the Health app.
Click on your profile picture.
Select Edit > Medical ID.
Add trustworthy people by going to Emergency Contacts and scrolling down.
When you use the Emergency SOS feature, these people will get a notification.
Keeping SOS from accidentally activating
To prevent accidental emergency calls:
Navigate to Emergency SOS > Settings. Lifewire
If you think that “Call with Hold” and “Call with 5 Presses” are likely to be accidentally activated, turn them off.
FAQs
On my iPhone, what does “SOS Only” mean? It indicates that your iPhone isn’t connected to your carrier’s network but can still make emergency calls.
When “SOS” is displayed, can I make regular calls? No, you can only make emergency calls until normal network connectivity is restored. Does “SOS” mean my iPhone is broken?
Necessarily not. It frequently involves network issues rather than hardware issues. How do I know if Emergency SOS via satellite is available in my region?
Apple’s official website provides a list of supported countries and regions for this feature.
Will my emergency contacts receive automatic notification?
Yes, if you’ve set them up in the Health app, they’ll receive a message when you use Emergency SOS.
Is there a cost associated with using satellite Emergency SOS?
After activating an iPhone model that is compatible, Apple provides this feature for free for a period of two years.
Conclusion
The “SOS” indicator on your iPhone serves as a crucial feature, ensuring you can reach emergency services even when standard connectivity is unavailable. Your safety and peace of mind can be enhanced by understanding its function and how to address it.