why is my phone in sos

The SOS mode on a phone generally means that the device is not connected to its usual cellular network and can only make emergency calls. This can happen if the phone is in an area without coverage from its carrier, during a network outage, or if cellular data is turned off or malfunctioning. The phone may still connect to other carriers for emergency calls, hence the SOS indication. For an iPhone, specifically, SOS mode means it can only call emergency services, sometimes using satellite if the model supports it (like iPhone 14 or newer). This can happen due to coverage gaps, network outages, SIM card issues, software glitches, or incorrect network settings. Solutions include moving to a location with better coverage, toggling cellular data off and on, restarting the phone, removing and reinserting the SIM card, resetting network settings, or updating carrier settings. On Android phones, similar reasons apply with additional possibilities like accidental activation of Emergency SOS features, software glitches, or unauthorized app installations. If the SOS mode persists after trying these fixes, contacting the carrier or visiting a repair service may be necessary. This mode ensures emergency calls can still be made even when normal service is unavailable.