Why Does My Phone Say SOS Only?

If your phone has the message SOS only it is a signal that the device is restricted to connections, and it allows emergency calls. It means that even if your phone is connected to the network it does not do all functions normally it does such as making calls, texting messages, or using mobile data.

The SOS-only status restricts call functions to energy calls only and shows limited connectivity. Here we will discuss the main reason for this message and learn how to solve it. So let’s get started with Why Does My Phone Say SOS Only?

Table of Contents

What Does “SOS Only” Mean on iPhone?

The “SOS Only” or just “SOS” warning appears in the carrier field, at the top of the screen on your iPhone. This means that the only calls you can make on your iPhone are emergency calls to numbers like 911 (US), 112 (Europe), 999 (UK), or 000 (Australia).

Normal calls to standard numbers won’t work and you won’t be able to send text messages. Data services that connect to the internet also won’t work. Your phone is effectively limited to calling police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, mountain rescue, or similar emergency services you may have in whatever country you are in.

If you have an iPhone with Crash Detection or an Apple Watch with Fall Detection or other emergency services, these will still work as normal while you see the “SOS Only” warning.

Why Does My Phone Say “SOS Only”?

SOS only means that your iPhone normally is out of range but that is in range of rival networks. Such as if you subscribe AT 7T but are in areas that are covered that have coverage of Verizon, there is SOS only a warning on your phone.

it menas you can still call for help if you have any trouble but are out of normal cell phone range.

SOS only comes when you are traveling to other countries based on court are calling from

The SOS-only message also comes when the cell phone has outages.

“SOS Only”? Reasons Explained

The first reason is that you are not in the range of carrier networks. If you are in areas where single is weak or no network coverage on mobile phone, then your phone has SOS only since it can only connect to emergency services that need less data and so these emergency services come in some remote areas.
If you are in another country and your phone not roaming with a local carrier or roaming has not been activated by the service provider, the phone can have an SOS-only message to show that it can used only for emergency calls but not connected with the local network for normal use. In simple words network connection exists there but your phone is not conditioned to use that network
It can be a problem with your phone SIM card or a problem with network registration can result in an SOS message.
The other reason can be that you not have paid your mobile bill or there is a problem with your account, your account can stop your phone access to normal use.
The SOS-only message also comes when there are maintenance or temporary outages and stops the normal calls
It can be changed that there is a problem with phone connectivity resulting in a technical issue

How To Solve the “SOS Only” Issue On My Phone?

if you have SOS-only messages occasionally and then think that it is not due to network coverage issues. it is best to contact mobile carriers’ customer support to solve this issue. Mobile carriers can provide help and support to solve this issue.
To solve the issue wecan try turning the Airplane mode on and off again. When turning on Airplane mode, all connections are turned off. When you are on the phone again it will try to make a connection with the mobile network. They can solve some issues with connection especially if it is due to small technical issues.
If it does not work try to restart the phone. Restarting the phone will devise to reactivate all subsystems from zero enforcing complete rest try to connect with the network system.
If not work try to on cellular data off and on again. If you using an iPhone open the settings app move to the cellular section and switch the cellular data toggle off and on
if these stores do not help, you are sure there can be a network connection on location and do manually choose a cellular service carrier.

How To Select Your Network Carrier Manually?

The Message SOS only can be due to an inaccurate choice of mobile servie carrier or mobile network operator. If automatic selection does not work follow these points for manual wirelss carrier selection.

First, open the Setting app and move to cellular.
Click on the network selection option and switch off automatic features.
Choose the carrier option in the list.
if there is not on your list it can be chance that no connection at that location

How to Fix “SOS Only” on an iPhone

As SOS only is a failsafe feature the only solution is to move in range of the carrier network. If this message comes you need to consider the use of Iphone dual sim features and subscribing to another mobile phone

In some conditions iPhone can be struck with on SOS-only warning, resulting in appearing in places that normally get a signal. it this condition try to enable Airplane mode by swiping down from the top right corner and toggling the plane symbol on and off through the Control Center.

Read also:

Faqs

what does sos only mean on iphone?

If there is SOS only message on the status bar your phone is not connected with the network but an still make emergnceyc calls. This featues exists in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

How do I get my phone out of SOS only?

Check that you are in areas having cellular network coverage.
Off your cellular data then on it.
if your moving abroad ensure your phone has data roaming set up.
Restart your phone
Check carrier setting for an update.

How do I turn off SOS?

Open Settings.
Choose Safety & emergency on devices running Android 12 or new model and Advanced settings on Android 11 or older.mode
Click on SOS.
off Use Emergency SOS.

Why does my phone go into SOS mode randomly?

SOS mode means there is no cellular servie for the cellular network and cannot roam to the supported network. Such as if a friend has verizon and there is AT&T it is simple for the phone to show full service and your phone to show SOS if there is no AT&T service where you are.

What does SOS mean on iPhone?

If SOS comes in the iPhone status bar it means a cellular network exists for emergency calls. We can also add emergency contacts. After emergency calls end your Iphone single your emergency contacts with a message until you choose to cancel.

How to fix SOS mode on iPhone?

If there is SOS or SOS only exists follow this
Reconnect cellular network
Restart iPhone or iPad
Contact with carrier
Update iPhone
Check carrier setting update
Check that you have an iPhone with dual sim active it.
If you are traveling internationally use roaming contacts

How to clear SOS on iPhone?

Check you have cellular network coverage.
cellular data off and on. .
Restart the iPhone.
check carrier settings update.
do cellular lines off and on.
Update iPhone
Reset network settings.

What does SOS stand for?

When SOS comes on your iPhone status bar it means the cellular network is only available for emergency calls. You can add emergency contacts.

How do I turn off SOS on my iPhone 15?

Disable SOS open Settings > Emergency SOS and toggle everything off.
Ask Siri by saying “Hey Siri, turn off Emergency SOS.”
SOS is the best safety tool, but it can be easily activated by riding rollercoasters

What does SOS mean on iPhone next to WiFi?

If you get No service or search in the status bar on your iPhone or iPad your phone is not connected to a cellular network. If there is SOS or SOS only in the status bar means you have only emergency calls.