In today’s age, a smartphone is much more than just a device used for calling. Smartphones have evolved to become indispensable in our inventory, wherever we may be. They have become tools of communication and connection with the world. As such, they have a variety of features to offer. An additional area which can be explored with smartphones is ensuring user safety – nowadays everyone is carrying a smartphone on their person, so if the phone can detect if the user is in trouble, there can be a quick recovery. That is exactly what Apple does with its Emergency SOS Feature in their iPhones. Apple has always had an interest in user safety and security, and this feature proves to show that.

The Emergency SOS Feature automatically detects if the iPhone user is facing an emergency issue with its advanced Crash Detection technology. It has most definitely saved lives by quickly establishing connections between users and defined contacts and emergency personnel during urgent situations. This feature, however, can occasionally be wrongly activated, which can be annoying and sometimes even distressing. This is one of the occasional Apple glitches which plague its software. Understanding how to turn off Emergency SOS on your iPhone in such circumstances can prove to be really helpful. So, we’ll walk you through disabling Emergency SOS on your iPhone in this article, while also making sure you understand the “SOS only” setting and how to work around it as well.

Why Does Emergency SOS Go Off By Itself?

An iPhone’s Emergency SOS is intended to be a vital safety feature that may be activated either manually by the user or automatically in specific emergency circumstances. However, there are times when Emergency SOS could seem to activate on its own. This may occur for a number of reasons, due to the sensors on your iPhone mistakenly outputting your movements as a threat of some kind. This may happen as a result of careless button pressing, faulty software, motion and impact sensing technologies, or other factors. When the iPhone is in a pocket or bag and buttons are accidentally pressed, accidental activations frequently occur. When a user is unable to make the call themselves, the automatic Emergency SOS trigger function of more recent iPhones with sophisticated sensors is a useful feature. However, occasionally, during activities like strenuous exercise or bumpy trips, these sensors could produce false warnings. Actions on the Apple Watch that could activate Emergency SOS on the iPhone should be avoided by users, especially those who have connected via Apple Watch.

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Turning off Emergency SOS On iPhone

• Step 1: Go to iPhone Settings
• Step 2: In the settings options, scroll until you find the “Emergency SOS” option.
• Step 3: In it, find these two options, called: “Call with Hold and Release” and “Call with 5 Button Presses.”
• Step 4: Toggle off the switches next to these options to disable them.

With these simple steps, you can turn off the Emergency SOS option from accidentally getting enabled and causing annoyance to you. Also, know that you can still access the Emergency SOS from your power button. This can be done by holding down the power button and one of the two volume buttons. This will make the emergency slider appear, and you can pull down on it to access the Emergency SOS mode and initiate the emergency call.

Should You Turn Off Emergency SOS?

You can anytime turn off  SOS feature on your iPhone. However, the feature is meant to keep you safe and ensure that in the event that something happens to you the phone can provide quick aid. It is a tool which has saved lives and can be extremely useful in bad situations. Yes, the software is known to be buggy and get activated without the intent for it, but ultimately it can aid in emergencies. When the feature is not working as intended you can disable it, but we suggest that you enable it later on so that you stay safe in the event of any emergency. While we hope that the feature never has to come in use for our viewers, it is something which can greatly aid in a bad situation and provide aid quickly and reliably when the user cannot.

How To Resolve “SOS Only” Mode?

If you ever see “SOS” or “SOS only” in the status bar of your iPhone, it means that ordinary cellular service is not accessible. However, you might still be able to place emergency calls, such as emergency calls or satellite alerts if you have an iPhone 14 or later. You can also use nearby Wi-Fi if it is operational as long as you have the required login details. This can be really bothersome as you lose your cellular connectivity. Usually, this can be fixed by going to an area which has better coverage. But if the problem persists there are various methods to fix it. We list them below.

• Turning Cellular Data Off and On again: Going to Settings, Cellular and then briefly turning off “Cellular Data” will allow you to check for cellular service. Then switch it back on. Often, performing this little operation will restore your cellular connection.
• Enabling Data Roaming: If you are traveling abroad, make sure that Data Roaming is activated (unless you are worried about paying roaming fees). Navigate to Settings, then Cellular. Under that, go to Cellular Data Options, and finally turn on Data Roaming.
• Check for Carrier Updates: By heading to Settings, General and then About, keep an eye out for any carrier changes. Then, update your settings by looking for any newly available updates next to your cellular carrier.
• Check your SIM Card: This method works if you’re using a physical sim instead of eSIM. Discard your physical SIM and check if there’s any unwanted damage. If not then re-insert your SIM card
• Restart your iPhone: As a last resort, try restarting your iPhone. Sometimes this can do the trick in clearing a variety of issues, including the “SOS only” mode problem.

By following these steps, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the “SOS only” mode, ensuring that you regain regular cellular service and avoid unnecessary disruptions to your iPhone’s functionality.

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Conclusion

Although Apple’s Emergency SOS feature is a helpful tool in emergency situations, it occasionally results in unauthorized emergency calls. It is crucial to know how to disable this feature when required if you want to use your iPhone without interruption. Additionally, understanding how to use the “SOS only” option makes sure that you may continue to use your phone normally even in difficult circumstances. You can now easily deal with Emergency SOS on your iPhone by following the instructions in this article and taking into account the advice given, keeping it prepared to help you in real situations while avoiding unintentional activations. Although turning off this function can be useful, it should be done carefully and after considering how it can affect your safety and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) Is it okay to keep my Emergency SOS feature turned off?

Ans: The ultimate choice is yours, but we do not recommend doing that. The emergency SOS is ultimately made for your own safety and well-being in the case of any emergency.

Q) When should I turn off Emergency SOS?

Ans: If you are doing a vigorous activity such as intense workouts or an amusement park ride, the Emergency SOS feature may trigger. Consider turning it off for that time.