Did Emergency SOS Mode trigger on your iPhone, and you cannot get rid of this screen? It doesn’t matter whatever the cause is. Here we will understand your situation and provide clear and understandable instructions so that you can get out of the trouble yourself, or alternatively, you can look up the professional service for further instructions. The potential solution from this is that your phone will come back to normal and will be geared up for unforeseen circumstances.
🚨 What Is Emergency SOS Mode on iPhone?
Emergency SOS mode is a life-saving feature that helps you to get connected with emergency services and inform your emergency contacts quickly. It comes into effect when a user presses the side and a volume button at the same time or simply clicks the side button five times in rapid succession (depending on settings).
At the moment of activation, the iPhone:
- Call will be made to the emergency services automatically (or you will be asked by the system to do it)
- Your current position will be sent to the contacts
- The access to the majority of the apps will be blocked, and the majority of settings will be unavailable
⚠️ Important: If your iPhone is stuck in SOS mode, it may either be frozen on the emergency call screen or display “SOS”/“SOS Only” in the status bar.
🔍 Why Is My iPhone Stuck in Emergency SOS Mode?
Several issues can cause your iPhone to remain stuck in this mode, including
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Accidental Activation | Triggered unknowingly in your pocket or while holding the phone |
| Software Bugs | Post-update glitches or app conflicts |
| Network Issues | Poor coverage or SIM-related problems |
| SIM Card Faults | Misaligned, damaged, or missing SIM |
| Hardware Damage | Button malfunctions or internal component failures |
| Jailbreaking | Unsupported system modifications causing instability |
🛠️ Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
Instead of completing the step-by-step guide in its entirety, have a look at the checklist below:
- Restart or Force Restart your iPhone
- Charge your device fully
- Check network coverage or toggle Cellular Data
- Remove and reinsert your SIM card
- Update iOS and Carrier Settings
- Reset Network Settings
- Reset All Settings (optional)
- Use Third-Party iOS Repair Tools (optional)
- Restore via iTunes/Finder (last resort)
- Try Recovery Mode or DFU Mode (deep firmware restore)
🧭 Step-by-Step Fixes for iPhone Stuck in SOS Mode
1. 🔁 Restart or Force Restart Your iPhone
Why: It flushes the phone’s memory of any minor software issues on it.
For Face ID iPhones (X to 15/16):
- Quickly press and release Volume Up
- Quickly press and release Volume Down
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
For Home Button iPhones:
- Press and hold the Top/Side button
- Slide to power off
- Turn it back on after 10 seconds
2. 🔋 Fully Charge Your iPhone
Why: Low power can affect the normal functionality of the device.
- Step 1: Connect to a certified charger (if possible, use MagSafe or the original cable)
- Step 2: Leave it to charge for at least 30 minutes
- Step 3: After that, restart the device
3. 📶 Check Network Coverage and Toggle Cellular Data
Why: Weak signal can cause the phone to go into SOS mode.
- Go outside or find better coverage
- Click Settings then choose Cellular and next Cellular Data -> Turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it on
- Turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it on
4. 📲 Reinsert or Replace the SIM Card
Why: A sandboxed or damaged SIM can disable access to the network.
- Use a SIM ejector or a paperclip to pull the SIM tray out
- Take the SIM card out and gently wipe the dirt off it with a damp cloth
- Insert it correctly
- If you get a “No SIM” or “Invalid SIM” message, you may want to try a new one
5. 🔄 Update iOS and Carrier Settings
Why: The updates are needed because the running outdated software can cause many compatibility issues.
- iOS Update: Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Carrier Settings: Go to Settings > General > About
- Wait a few seconds; if an update is available, a prompt will appear
6. 🔧 Reset Network Settings
Why: This not only clears Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular configurations that may be problematic but also saves users from these interfering settings.
⚠️ This erases saved Wi-Fi passwords.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
- Enter your passcode and confirm
7. 🛠 Reset All Settings (Optional)
Why: Changes the settings to the factory ones whereby it does not remove the stored information.
- Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings
8. 🧰 Use a Specialized iOS Repair Tool (Optional)
Issues like Apple iPhone black screen, iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, iPhone stuck in recovery mode, and other issues can be resolved without data loss with tools such as ReiBoot, iMyFone Fixppo, or Magnon.
Steps:
- Download and install your preferred tool on a computer
- Connect your iPhone via USB
- Follow the on-screen instructions for Standard Mode Repair
✅ Many tools have the “no data loss” mode feature
9. 💻 Recover an iPhone via iTunes Or Finder (Advanced)
Why: Deletes all settings and repeats iOS installation
⚠️ This process eliminates all the data. To be on the safe side, create a backup first.
- Plug your iPhone into a Windows or macOS computer
- Launch either iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina+)
- Pick your iPhone
- Choose Restore iPhone and do as instructed
10. 🧱 Get your iPhone out of Recovery Mode or DFU Mode
Recovery Mode:
Enter when an iPhone is detected by your computer, but it behaves strangely.
- Establish a connection with a computer
- For Face ID iPhones: Press Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold the Side button until the Recovery screen appears
- Press Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold the Side button until the Recovery screen appears
- In iTunes/Finder, select Update or Restore
DFU Mode:
It is a more profound recovery procedure for issues lying on the firmware level.
Refer to Apple’s official guide to find out the specific DFU steps based your iPhone model
🧩 Overview of The Troubleshooting Table
| Step | Difficulty | Data Loss Risk | Works for “SOS Only”? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restart iPhone | Easy | None | ✅ |
| Charge iPhone | Easy | None | ✅ |
| Toggle Cellular Data | Easy | None | ✅ |
| Reinsert SIM | Easy | None | ✅ |
| Update iOS | Easy | None | ✅ |
| Reset Network Settings | Medium | None | ✅ |
| Reset All Settings | Medium | None | ✅ |
| iTunes/Finder Restore | Advanced | High | ❌ |
| Recovery Mode | Advanced | High | ❌ |
| DFU Mode | Advanced | High | ❌ |
🧠 When to Seek Professional Help 🧠
If you have tried everything possible and yet your iPhone is not responding as it should, maybe it is time to talk to Apple Support or an authorized technician.
Signs You Need Help:
- Persistent SOS screen even things that normally work do not come as a surprise to you
- iPhone won’t turn on, overheats, or does not work in the way it ought to.
- There are signs of water or physical damage
- Device is not detected by iTunes or Finder
- SIM or Carrier issues remain unsolved
What to Do Before Your Visit:
- Back up your iPhone
- Note all error messages
- Carry ID, proof of purchase, and accessories
- Be ready to describe the issue and the steps you’ve tried
🛡️ Pro Tips to Prevent Future SOS Issues
- Regularly update: Make sure both the iOS and Carrier settings are regularly updated
- Put a cover over the phone. Protect the phone from being damaged by falls and physical accidents
- Keep off jailbreaking: The chances of system instability are higher if you increase the system’s vulnerability
- Tinker with SOS triggers: Get into Settings ➜ Emergency SOS to adjust or turn off the trigger means
- Handle the SIM card gently. Don’t soil or damage it unnecessarily
✅ Final Thoughts
Getting caught up in Emergency SOS mode is never a good situation, but it’s generally easy to address. By learning what causes it and using a step-by-step approach to resolve the issue, you can re-establish your authority over your device—and your peace of mind.
If you are still unable to solve the problem, don’t hesitate to talk to the professionals. Plus, remember that problems could be avoided through a reactive mode—like regular updates and proper handling of the device.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How do I exit Emergency SOS mode on iPhone?
A1. A simple restart always turns off SOS mode. If not, do the steps for troubleshooting as described earlier.
Q2. What does “SOS Only” mean on iPhone?
A2. When your iPhone is showing “SOS Only,” it means that it is not seen on any network but still has emergency call services.
Q3. Will a factory reset fix my iPhone stuck in SOS mode?
A3. The last step you can do is reset your phone to its factory setting. Ready for the possible loss of data.
Q4. Can Apple repair a hardware-related SOS issue?
A4. They are entirely capable of doing so. They can change antennas or SIM trays if necessary.
Q5. How do I prevent accidental Emergency SOS activation?
A5. By going to Settings > Emergency SOS and flipping off features such as “Call with 5 Presses,” you can avoid any unexpected Emergency SOS events.