You might be accustomed to seeing symbols like 5G, LTE, or Wi-Fi in your iPhone’s status bar. However, with recent iOS updates, you may occasionally spot “SOS” instead. Don’t worry, your iPhone isn’t broadcasting an emergency signal without your knowledge. The “SOS” indicator simply means your iPhone can make emergency calls, even if it’s not connected to your usual network.
Why Does My iPhone Display SOS?
Introduced in iOS 16, the SOS indicator was inspired by Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature on the iPhone 14. This feature highlights the iPhone’s long-standing ability to place emergency calls regardless of network subscription status. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), wireless providers must handle 911 calls even if the caller isn’t a subscriber. This means you can call 911 on an iPhone without a SIM card or when you’re out of your carrier’s coverage area.
For instance, if you’re an AT&T user in a remote area without AT&T service but within range of a T-Mobile or Verizon tower, you can still make emergency calls. The SOS indicator appears when your iPhone detects a cellular signal usable for emergency calls but isn’t connected to your carrier’s network. This is different from “No Service,” which means no cellular towers are within reach at all.
The SOS with Satellite Icon
Confusion arose when the SOS indicator appeared on older iPhones following the introduction of the iPhone 14. While any iPhone running iOS 16 or later will display the SOS indicator, the iPhone 14 and newer models add a satellite icon to the SOS indicator when no cellular networks are available. This indicates the potential for making emergency calls via satellite, provided you’re outside with a clear view of the sky and in a supported country. Supported countries currently include the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and several European countries.
Learn about using Emergency SOS on your iPhone.
Steps to Exit SOS Mode
Usually, the SOS indicator will disappear once you’re back within your carrier’s network range, reverting to 5G, 4G, or LTE symbols. If it doesn’t, you may need to take additional steps:
- Toggle Airplane Mode:
- Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner or up from the bottom for iPhones with a Home button).
- Tap the Airplane icon to enable it, wait a few seconds, then disable it. This refreshes your cellular connection.
- Restart Your iPhone:
- Hold down the side button and volume up button, slide to power off, then restart by pressing the side button again.
- Check SIM Card:
- If the SOS indicator persists, there might be an issue with your SIM card. Follow instructions to fix “No SIM Card Installed” errors.
- Contact Your Carrier:
- Ensure there are no account or service issues with your carrier. The SOS indicator can appear if your service is deactivated.
Troubleshooting No Service or Searching
If your device shows “No Service” or “Searching,” it isn’t connected to any network. Here are additional steps to troubleshoot:
- Reconnect to Your Network:
- Go to Settings, enable Airplane Mode for at least 15 seconds, then disable it.
- Restart Your Device:
- Follow the steps to restart your iPhone or iPad.
- Carrier Issues:
- Verify account status, ensure coverage, check for outages, and confirm the device isn’t blocked from receiving services.
- Update Your Device:
- Ensure your iPhone or iPad is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Check for carrier settings updates in Settings > General > About.
- Dual SIM iPhones:
- For Dual SIM models, ensure the correct line is active in Settings > Cellular.
- Traveling Internationally:
- Enable Data Roaming in Settings > Cellular Data Options.
- Older Devices:
- For devices using 3G networks, contact your carrier for options if “No Service” persists.
When to Seek Further Help
If after all these steps, your carrier confirms no issues with your account or network, and hardware issues are suspected, contact Apple Support for further assistance.