On an iPhone, "SOS" or "SOS Only" appearing in the status bar means your device is not connected to your usual cellular network, but it can still make emergency calls. This happens when your iPhone loses connection to your carrier's network but can access another network solely for emergency services like 911 in the U.S. or 112 in the EU
. Key points about SOS on iPhone:
- Limited Service : You cannot make regular calls, send texts, or use data through your carrier, but emergency calls are still possible.
- Automatic Activation : The SOS indicator appears automatically when your iPhone detects no connection to your carrier but finds another network for emergencies.
- Emergency Calls via Other Networks : Your iPhone may use a different carrier’s network to place emergency calls if your provider’s signal is unavailable.
- Emergency SOS via Satellite : On newer iPhones (like iPhone 14 and later), if no cellular network is available, you can still connect to emergency services via satellite, a feature designed for remote or no-signal areas
If you see SOS on your iPhone, you can try to restore normal service by restarting your phone or toggling Airplane Mode on and off. If the problem persists, checking for carrier updates or resetting network settings may help
. In summary, SOS on iPhone is a safety feature ensuring you can always reach emergency services even when your regular cellular network is unavailable. It is not an alert that your phone is broken, but an indication of limited cellular connectivity
