Jesse Hollington / Digital Trends
You ’re plausibly used to seeing a 5 thousand , LTE , or Wi - Fi symbolic representation in your iPhone ’s position prevention , but recent iOS versions have added another option to the list that may sometimes be a bit perplexing . Sometimes , you may see “ SOS ” up there rather .
Do n’t be appal if this appear . There ’s potential nothing wrong with your iPhone , and it ’s not disseminate an emergency SOS sign without your cognition . It merely indicates that your iPhone can be used to place an emergency call .
Jesse Hollington / Digital Trends
Why does my phone say SOS?
Apple added the “ SOS ” indicator to the status bar in iOS 16 . The move was likely exhort by its work on Emergency SOS via satellite for that year ’s iPhone 14 lineup . While the indicator is Modern , it ’s actually spotlight something the iPhone — and most other sound — have been able-bodied to do for year .
For representative , hypothesize you ’re an AT&T client out in the woods , far away from an AT&T pillar . That technically means you have no military service for received outcry and information services . However , you’re able to still make a 911 call if a T - Mobile or Verizon pillar is in range .
When your iPhone shows SOS in the condition legal profession , it has a cellular signal for make emergency call , but you ’re not connected to your postman ’s internet .
That ’s been the case for eld , but in iOS 16 , Apple settle to provide a optical indicant to help rear awareness of this . Instead of showing “ No Service ” and leaving iPhone owners think they ’re entirely out of touch , the iPhone will show “ SOS ” to indicate that there’sacellular web available — it ’s just notyourcellular connection .
That ’s an crucial difference from “ No Service , ” which intend your iPhone is entirely out of reach of any cellular towboat and ca n’t detect a cellular signal at all . SOS means your iPhone can find cellular military service , but it ’s not the armed service you ’re paying for .
What about SOS with a satellite icon?
Since the SOS indicant seem around the same time as the planet - capableiPhone 14models , many folks were obscure when they saw it on old iPhones . However , the “ SOS ” index will appear on any iPhone run Io 16 or after , which led to some confusion among folks who were wondering if their iPhone 13 had suddenly gained planet communication attainment .
While the iPhone 14 and later models will still show a plain “ SOS ” index number when a cellular web is useable from a unlike carrier , they ’ll also show “ SOS ” when no cellular networks are available , accompanied by a planet ikon to indicate that it may still be potential to place an emergency call over a orbiter connection .
Put simply , the SOS - with - planet index number appears on an iPhone 14 or by and by in any scenario where an early simulation would indicate “ No Service . ” This mean that no cellular service of process is uncommitted from any mail carrier , but a satellite connexion is still an pick .
However , an SOS with a planet icon beside it does n’t guarantee a satellite link is potential . The indicator will show up whenever there ’s no cellular inspection and repair , even if you ’re surreptitious in a subway burrow . To useEmergency SOS via planet , you must be outside with a fairly clear opinion of the sky . You also need to be in one of the countries where it ’s available . As of this written material , those are Australia , Austria , Belgium , Canada , France , Germany , Ireland , Italy , Luxembourg , Netherlands , New Zealand , Portugal , Spain , Switzerland , the U.K. , and the U.S.
How to get your phone out of SOS mode
In most suit , the SOS Indicator on your iPhone should go away and be replaced by a right 5 universal gravitational constant , 4 grand , or LTE symbolization as presently as you ’re back in range of your carrier ’s connection .
Still , sometimes your iPhone can get stick in that mode . In that showcase , you may need to take excess step to restore regular cellular service .
The first and gentle way of life is to try toggle Airplane Mode on and back off again . Open Control Center by abstract down from the top - veracious corner of your screen ( or up from the bottom if you have an iPhone with a Home Button on the front ) , and select the * Airplane * button . Wait for it to turn orangish , then waitress about 3 - 5 seconds and tap it again . This reinitializes your cellular link , checking for nearby pillar , and should get rid of the SOS indicator in most cases .
If that does n’t work , tryrestarting your iPhone . A simple power - off restart should suffice : hold down the side button and volume up button , slue to power off , and then push the side release again to commence it back up .
If all that fails , and you ’re sealed that you ’re in a localisation with a strong signaling from your carrier , contact them to assure that everything is fine with your account . The SOS index number will seem if your cellular religious service has been deactivate since you no longer go on your carrier ’s web as far as your iPhone is concerned .
