iPhone users may be familiar with the ‘SOS Only’ message that pops up on the status bar from time to time. In iOS 16 this message is displayed on the right side of the status bar but all previous iOS versions have displayed it on the left. So what does ‘SOS Only’ mean? What are your options once your iPhone displays that message? In this article, we explain what the ‘SOS Only’ message means and how you can turn it off.
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What does ‘SOS Only’ mean?
Whenever your iPhone is unable to receive network coverage, the ‘SOS Only’ text appears on the top-right corner of the screen. In iOS 15 or earlier, this text used to appear on the top-left corner of the screen. iPhone users outside of North America may receive a ‘No Service’ text whenever they are out of network coverage.
However, lack of cellular service may not be the only reason why the SOS text pops up on your phone. It may also appear if the SIM card isn’t inserted properly or is malfunctioning due to some reason. You may also receive this message when you’re on cellular roaming and haven’t subscribed to a data or calling package. To put it simply, anytime your iPhone does not receive network reception, it displays the ‘SOS Only’ text.
When you’re out of network coverage you can still make emergency calls. Apple also rolled out the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature with the iPhone 14 last year. This allows iPhone users to directly connect to a satellite in case of an emergency. The satellite then relays all the necessary information to an emergency service. You are read more about Emergency SOS via Satellite here.
How to turn off ‘SOS Only’?
The ‘SOS Only’ text only goes away when your iPhone is able to receive a cellular network. There are a few steps you can take to make it happen.
Restart your phone
If you are facing a network issue on your phone, a simple restart will most likely fix it. This will take care of any background glitches and resolve any bug-related issues. To restart your iPhone, simply press and hold either volume button and the side button and drag the slider once it appears on the screen.
Turn Off and turn on Mobile Data
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Mobile Data.
Step 2: Turn the toggle bar for Mobile Data off. Turn it back on after a few seconds.
You can also do this by disabling and enabling the ‘Mobile Data’ icon from the Control Centre.
Turn on Data Roaming
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Mobile Data.
Step 2: Select Mobile Data options.
Step 3: Turn the toggle bar on for ‘Data Roaming’.
Update Network Carrier Settings
The network carrier settings are updated periodically on your iPhone. If you missed an update, it may create issues with the network reception on your phone. Here’s how you can update them manually.
Step 1: Go to Settings and select General.
Step 2: Select ‘About’.
This is where you’ll see any impending updates. If there is a software update pending, update it as well.
Turn on Automatic Network Selection
You may have selected the wrong network by mistake. Turn on ‘Automatic network selection’ to avoid any future hangups. Here’s how.
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Mobile Data.
Step 2: Select ‘Network Selection’.
Step 3: Turn the toggle bar on for ‘Automatic’.
Switch to LTE/4G
Tried switching to 5G recently? Maybe your network provider hasn’t rolled out its 5G services in your area yet. In this case, switch back to 4G. Here’s how.
Step 1: Go to Settings and select Mobile Data.
Step 2: Select Mobile Data Options.
Step 3: Tap on ‘Voice and Data’.
Step 4: Select 4G.
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Conclusion
These methods will help you regain network coverage on your iPhone and turn off the ‘SOS Only’ text. If you’ve tried all these methods yet cannot get rid of the text, try reinserting the SIM again. Sometimes, the SIM card may get slightly displaced from its appropriate place when your iPhone absorbs an impact. Restart your iPhone after reinserting the SIM to check if it is receiving network coverage again. If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comments!
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