How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone 13 or 14?

SOS, also known as Save Our Souls, is a feature designed to make it easier for people in danger to quickly call for help. This amazing feature is available on smartphones and even on smartwatches to ensure the user’s safety.

This tutorial will resolve these major issues with iPhone SOS:

1. How you can turn off Emergency SOS on iPhone 13, 14, or any other model
2. Several ways to get rid of the “SOS Only” message on your iPhone
3. Why your iPhone is stuck on Emergency SOS mode and how to fix it

While this iPhone feature can be a lifesaver in dangerous situations, it can also cause inconvenience if activated unintentionally. To prevent this from happening, you need to turn off SOS on your iPhone device.

Once the SOS is disabled, you no longer have to worry about accidentally dialing the emergency services or being stuck in SOS mode.

2 Ways to Turn off Emergency SOS on iPhone

Emergency SOS functionality on iPhone devices saved many lives by providing quick access to emergency services. However, you can turn off SOS mode in two ways:

1. Use iPhone Settings

The easiest way to turn off SOS mode is to use iPhone Settings. To do this, open Settings on your iPhone 13 or 14. From here, swipe down and select the Emergency SOS option to open the SOS settings. Simply, toggle off Call with Side Button option (or Call with Hold) and Call with 5 Button Presses.

After these simple steps, pressing the power button would no longer activate emergency SOS mode. If you have an Apple Watch, it can also trigger an emergency call, make sure to consider it as well.

Moreover, you can also disable the Call After Severe Crash (For iPhone 14 or later) option to completely disable SOS mode. However, it’s not recommended since these options can be useful if you ever need quick assistance in emergency circumstances.

2. Ask Siri To Disable SOS

Siri is a powerful virtual assistant that can do many things, including turning off SOS mode on your iPhone device. To do this, summon Siri using the “Hey Siri” command and ask “Disable Emergency SOS mode“. After that, Siri will turn off the SOS mode and reply with a confirmation message.

This is another useful and easy way to take off SOS on your iPhone device as well as on your Apple Watch. For confirmation, you can navigate to Settings > Emergency SOS and check if the toggle has been disabled.

What Happens When I Turn off SOS on My iPhone?

If the SOS feature is turned off, your iPhone will no longer trigger the automatic emergency call when you press and hold the side button. However, you can still make emergency calls either by manually dialing the number or using the Emergency SOS slider.

Apple designed these shortcuts to enable users to quickly contact emergency services.

Keep in mind that turning off SOS Emergency features can impact your ability to quickly access help during a life-threatening situation, so it is recommended that you leave it enabled unless you have a specific reason to turn it off.

However, you always have the option of an emergency slider on the power-off screen for quick help.

When to Disable iPhone Emergency SOS Feature?

Although it’s not advised to turn off the SOS mode as it can be a lifesaver in many cases, however, there are certain situations when disabling the feature might be helpful.

You may disable this feature because of any these reasons:

1. Kids have your phone: If you have kids around, they may accidentally activate the SOS mode while playing with your iPhone so, it’s better to turn off the feature to disable automatic calls to emergency services.
2. Disabling unwanted alert sounds: The Emergency SOS mode can make a loud noise that cannot be turned off quickly unless you disable it. However, you can enable the Call Quietly option to make emergency calls silently.
3. Unintentional activation: If you often press the power or wake button and volume buttons for too long, it can trigger the SOS mode so, it is advisable to disable it to avoid accidental triggering.

If you’re using iPhone 14 or the latest model, make sure the Call After Severe Crash option is enabled as it’ll automatically contact emergency services if an accident occurs. This feature has saved the lives of many people.

What Does “SOS Only” Mean on iPhone?

The “SOS Only” phrase appears on an iPhone device when it loses connection to the cellular network. This can happen if you’re in an area with poor network coverage. In this scenario, you are only able to make emergency calls.

If you try to make a call, the network status bar on your iPhone shows “SOS Only.” In such a situation, you won’t be able to make any regular calls and only the emergency services are available.

However, there are many ways to restore the cellular network connection even if you’re in an area with poor signal.

The reliable solution is to open the Control Center and enable airplane mode. Also, ensure your iPhone has updated iOS software.

9 Ways to Fix “SOS Only” Issue on iPhone

Although this issue comes because of poor cellular service, there are several ways to get rid of the SOS Only mode issue.

1. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

To restore a cellular connection, try toggling Airplane Mode on and off. Many users found this method to be highly effective in quickly resolving the “SOS Only” issue. To do so, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and enable Airplane mode. After a few seconds, turn it off again.

You are done. Alternatively, you can tap on the gear icon to open Settings > Airplane Mode to enable airplane mode.

Once you do that, the iOS device will automatically try to reconnect with the cellular network and this should turn off the “SOS Only” issue.

2. Restart Your iPhone Device

Restarting an iPhone is a quick solution to get rid of the “SOS Only” problem since it will automatically reconnect to the cellular network. To restart your iPhone, press and hold the top button until you see the power-off slider. Drag the slider to turn off. Wait a few seconds and turn it on again.

Moreover, it’ll solve any iOS device issues you may have.

3. Try Turning Off/On Cellular Data

Sometimes, the “SOS Only” issue can be resolved quickly by simply turning off and on cellular data. It’ll try to force restore your connection to the network. To do so, head to Settings > Cellular and toggle the switch next to Cellular Data. Wait for a few seconds and turn it on again.

This should refresh your connection to the network. Also, you can do the same from the control center as well.

4. Enable Data Roaming

If your iPhone is stuck in the “SOS Only” mode, you can try enabling Data Roaming. This will allow your smartphone to search for and connect to a different network. To do so, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and turn on the switch next to Data Roaming.

Now, your device should be able to connect with a different network and disable the SOS Only on your iPhone.

5. Check Carrier Settings Update

Your iPhone may display the “SOS Only” message due to outdated carrier settings. Updating these settings will help you resolve this issue easily. To update the carrier settings, go to Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you’ll see “Carrier Settings Update” and then, tap Update.

After a few minutes, your carrier settings will be updated and your cellular connection will be restored as well. Afterward, you won’t see the “SOS Only” message on your iPhone anymore.

6. Reset iPhone Network Settings

Temporary network settings glitches can cause the “SOS Only” issue. However, resetting the network settings on iPhone can easily turn this off. Simply, open Settings app > General > Reset then, tap Reset Network Settings. Enter your iPhone passcode and confirm Reset Network Settings.

Wait for a few moments and it’ll reset the network settings. It’ll hopefully disable the SOS Only on your iPhone and fix the network signal problem.

7. Change Your Physical Location

The SOS Only appears on your iPhone display when you’re in a place with poor network coverage. It may be due to a weak or no cellular network. To escape this situation, the best option is to change your physical location. Just move around a bit in your current location.

If you can travel somewhere else, that would be great. Once you find an area with strong cellular coverage, the SOS Only message will disappear from your iPhone.

8. Check Your SIM Card

A faulty or damaged SIM card can also cause the SOS Only issue on your iPhone. It’s possible that you’re using a malfunctioning SIM card in your phone and it’s unable to receive any cellular signal from the network provider. In this case, check if your Physical SIM card is properly inserted into the tray.

9. Contact Apple Support For Help

If you have tried all of the above methods and still cannot turn off SOS on your iPhone device, then contact Apple Support for help. You can reach them through their official website or use the Apple Support app on your iPhone.

The experienced team will guide you to solve this issue or start the repair process if needed.

Why is my iPhone Stuck in Emergency SOS Mode?

Some users reported that their iPhone screen is stuck in Emergency SOS Mode displaying the message “Your emergency contacts have been notified” on the screen.

In this common issue, you will be unable to use your phone as well. So, how you can get out of this situation?

Here are some possible reasons that can cause your iPhone stuck on Emergency SOS mode.

1. Accidentally Entered Emergency SOS Mode. If you have pressed the wrong button combination on your iPhone, you may enter Emergency SOS mode by mistake.
2. Jailbreaking the device. If you have jailbreak your iPhone, the Emergency SOS feature may malfunction and get stuck in this mode.
3. Software Bug. In some cases, a software bug in the iOS can also cause the Emergency SOS issue so, you’ll need to install the latest iOS version to fix this issue.

To solve the Emergency SOS freeze common issue:

1. Force Restart Your iPhone. Quickly press and release the volume up button and the volume down button and then, press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears. It’ll force restart the device and get you out of SOS mode.
2. Turn Off the Device. If the reboot method doesn’t work, you may try rebooting your iPhone. Press and hold both the side button and volume down buttons until you see the slider to turn off your device. Once switched off, you’ll no longer be stuck into the Emergency SOS mode screen.
3. Restore iPhone With iTunes. Simply install iTunes on your computer and reset your iPhone. It’ll erase all of your data so, make sure to take a backup first. First, enter into recovery mode, click on the Restore button, and wait for completion. Your iPhone will start working normally after the reset operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

SOS provides amazing emergency features that can be a lifesaver in real emergency situations. It will send your location, contact information, and medical ID to your Emergency Contacts without requiring you to make or answer a call, although some users are shy to share this information due to privacy concerns.

However, this valuable tool should be used with caution and for the right purpose. To avoid any accidental triggering of SOS, it is important to turn off a few SOS settings on your iPhone and Apple Watch according to your choice.

Following the steps mentioned above, you can easily disable SOS shortcuts on your smartphone to make it less annoying.