Why Does My iPhone Say 'SOS Only'? - And How to Fix It

PDF download Download Article
What to do when you have no bars and can only connect to emergency services
PDF download Download Article

What does it mean when your iPhone shows "SOS" or "SOS only" in the status bar? It won't get or make calls, so what can you do? Fortunately, the "SOS", "SOS only", "No service", and "Searching" statuses on your phone are easy to explain and fix. This wikiHow article teaches you why your iPhone says "SOS" or "SOS only" and how to fix it.

Things You Should Know

  • If you're seeing "SOS"/"SOS only" in your status bar, you don't have cell signal and can only make emergency calls.
  • Try simple fixes first, like moving to another area to see if your service comes back before attempting more complex steps.
  • If the simple fixes don't work, take out and reinsert your SIM card, if you have a physical one or reset your network settings.
Section 1 of 2:

What "SOS" & "SOS only" Means

PDF download Download Article
  1. SOS Mode is designed to allow you to make emergency calls even when you’re outside of your carrier’s range. If you see it, you might be out of range of your current network. [1]
    • You can also see "SOS" or "SOS only" for other reasons, like:
      • SIM card errors
      • Cellular & network carrier problems
      • iOS bugs
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

Ways to Fix "SOS" & "SOS only" on iPhone

PDF download Download Article
  1. Since SOS Mode is a feature intended to make your phone still able to call emergency services when you're out of your network's range, it may mean you are in a spot with bad reception or outside your coverage area. You can check your network's coverage area online and if you're in a covered area, you should contact them to figure out why you're not getting data (maybe their tower is down temporarily).
    • Even if you're within your network's range, some places get better reception than others. For instance, fixing the error may be as simple as going upstairs if you're in the lower levels of a building where the reception is poor.
  2. Sometimes, your cell data toggle just needs to be refreshed. To turn this off and back on , go to Settings > Cellular and tap the switch. Leave the toggle off for about 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
    • If you're abroad, make sure roaming is enabled. Note that having this enabled will accrue extra charges, but will allow you to use your data when you're not in range of your network. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming .
  3. Go to Settings > General > About to see if there's an update available. You can select an update if one is available.
  4. The steps for this vary depending on your iPhone model.
    • For iPhone X or later, press and hold either volume button and the side button until you see a slider. Drag the slider to turn off your phone. Wait for your phone to turn all the way off, then press and hold the same buttons again until you see the Apple logo.
    • For iPhone 6-8 & 2nd Gen SE, press and hold the side button until the slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone. Wait for your phone to turn all the way off, then press and hold the same buttons again until you see the Apple logo.
    • For iPhone 5 & 1st Gen SE, press and hold the top button until the slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone. Wait for your phone to turn all the way off, then press and hold the same buttons again until you see the Apple logo.
  5. If you have a physical SIM card, it might be unseated or need a refresh. Turn off your iPhone , then use a pin or other small tool to pop out the SIM card holder, take it out, and put it back . Finally, put the tray back into your iPhone, turn it on, and see if the "SOS" status is still there! [2]
    • This solves the "SOS" issue for a lot of people.
  6. This is another popular fix. Doing a network reset will erase any saved networks in your phone, so you'll need the network info to reconnect to any. To reset your network settings , go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings .
    • Note that this will also reset any VPN settings that you've created.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Other types of phones, such as Android devices, may display similar errors (such as "Emergency Calls Only") for the same reasons. Even if you don't have an iPhone, the fixes are similar--try moving to another area, reinserting your SIM card, or resetting your network settings.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Video

      You Might Also Like

      SOS Mode on iPhone: What It Means + 11 Quick Ways to Fix It
      iPhone Stuck on Emergency SOS? 9 Troubleshooting Tips
      What Is "SOS Only" Mode & How Do I Get Rid of It?
      Why Your Phone Says No Service: 11 Issues and Solutions
      Why Does Your Phone Say Emergency Calls Only? 9+ Ways to Fix It
      16 Simple Things You Can Try if Your iPhone Says “Call Failed”
      Why Is My Cellular Data Not Working? Fixes for Android and iPhone
      11 Possible Fixes to Solve the "Mobile Network Not Available" Error on Android
      How to
      Fix an iPhone That Won't Make Calls but Can Text
      "No SIM" Errors on Android & iPhone: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
      What to Do if You See an "Invalid SIM" Error on iPhone or iPad
      Why Your Call Cannot Be Completed as Dialed and How to Fix It
      Why Is My iPhone Going Straight to Voicemail?
      How to
      Fix the “Phone Not Registered on Network” Error on Android
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 15,753 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement