Alex Ruben
How To Disable SOS Mode on Your iPhone
Disabling the SOS feature on your iPhone can be kinda weird, but sometimes it’s necessary if it keeps triggering accidentally. This isn’t tricky, but the way Apple sets it up, it can feel like it’s hiding somewhere in plain sight. Basically, if you find yourself triggering SOS when you didn’t mean to, it’s time to turn that off.
Step 1: Access the Settings App
First things first, unlock your iPhone and find the Settings app, which is that gray gear icon. Tap on it. The menu will open, and yeah, it looks pretty standard, but it’s where all the magic happens. You’d be surprised how often folks don’t even realize the emergency features are just a toggle away.
Step 2: Search for SOS Settings
Once inside Settings, instead of navigating through endless menus, just use the search bar at the top. Type in “SOS” or “Emergency” — yes, just “SOS” is enough. That should bring up the Emergency SOS option quickly. On some iOS versions, it’s buried under Settings > Emergency SOS. If that doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry — the search usually helps.
Step 3: Adjust SOS Settings
Tap on Emergency SOS. Here’s where Apple usually makes you work a bit. You’ll see options like Auto Call, Call with Hold and Release, and maybe Countdown Sound. The main thing you want to disable is Call with Hold and Release. On some setups, it might be called Auto Call. Turning this off means your iPhone won’t automatically dial emergency services when you press the side button a certain number of times.
Step 4: Turn Off ‘Call with Hold and Release’ / Auto Call
Just toggle off Call with Hold and Release. Honestly, that’s the most common setting folks want to disable. When it’s on, pressing and holding the side button plus volume buttons can trigger SOS — which is handy in emergencies, but kinda annoying if it’s happening by mistake. On some iPhones, this might be listed as Auto Call — the idea is the same. Because of course, Apple has to make it harder than necessary to avoid accidental calls.
Pro tip: You might also see options like Emergency SOS via Phone or Auto Call. Disable those too if you want no accidental emergency dialers happening at all.
Step 5: Review Additional Settings
Scroll through the other options — maybe you’ll find Countdown Sound or Auto Call. Disable those if they bother you. Keep in mind, turning off the emergency features could mean you won’t be able to quickly call for help with a shortcut, so weigh that based on your situation. Some folks leave it enabled just in case, but if it’s triggering accidentally, this is a good fix.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
While it’s usually straightforward, a couple of weird things happen sometimes. For example, on some iPhones, the settings don’t seem to stick after a restart — weird, but a simple reboot after turning off the toggle can help. Also, keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS because bug fixes and tweaks might impact this behavior. To do that, go to Settings > General > Software Update and see if there’s an update waiting.
One more thing — if the SOS keeps triggering even after turning everything off, double-check whether any accessibility settings or shortcuts might be fooling your phone into calling SOS. Sometimes, triple-clicking the side button or using a shortcut can trigger it, so look at Settings > Accessibility too.
Conclusion
Basically, you just need to find the Emergency SOS section in Settings and toggle off the auto call option. Done and dusted. Just remember that disabling this tightens control over accidental calls but might slow down help if you really need it in an emergency. Don’t leave it disabled forever, but if it keeps activating by mistake, this is the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens if I disable the SOS feature?
Disabling it means your iPhone won’t automatically call emergency services when you press the side and volume buttons together. So, yeah, you lose that hands-free quick call feature, but it also prevents false alarms if you tend to trigger it by accident.
2. Can I enable SOS again after turning it off?
Sure, just go back into the Settings > Emergency SOS and toggle the options on again. Easy peasy, especially if you change your mind or get a new iPhone.
3. Are there any alternatives to SOS for emergencies?
Definitely. You can set up Emergency Contacts in the Health app, or keep your phone on the lock screen for quick access. Some folks even use third-party safety apps for extra peace of mind.
Summary
- Use search in Settings to find Emergency SOS
- Turn off Call with Hold and Release or equivalent
- Check other emergency options and disable what’s unnecessary
- Restart if needed — weird glitches happen sometimes
- Keep iOS updated to avoid bugs that mess with settings
Fingers crossed this helps. It definitely saved others from accidental calls, and maybe it’ll save a few nerves too.