James Harper
How To Fix SOS Only Issue on iPhone
If your iPhone is stuck showing “SOS Only,” it’s pretty clear that your device can’t connect to your cellular network. Like, it’s not even trying to get full signal, just surrendering to SOS mode. Not sure why it works sometimes, but maybe a few of these tricks can help. Sometimes it’s a quick fix, other times you gotta dig a little deeper, but whatever, here’s what’s worked before.
Step 1: Check Your Cellular Connection and SIM
First, gotta make sure your carrier actually sees your phone. If you’re somewhere with crap coverage or your SIM is just… weird, this can happen. So,:
- Find a spot with better reception — sometimes it’s just a matter of walking a few feet.
- Pop out the SIM card (use a paperclip or SIM eject tool), then reinsert it. Make sure it’s seated correctly. Sometimes the SIM gets knocked loose or dirty, and that’s enough to throw everything off.
Pro tip: Check your carrier’s network status if you can, to see if there are outages in your area. On some setups it failed the first time, then after reinserting the SIM it worked after a reboot.
Step 2: Toggle Airplane Mode — Again
Yeah, it sounds trivial, but turning Airplane Mode on and off can sometimes fix that stuck connection. Just:
- Swipe down (or up) to open the Control Center.
- Tap the Airplane icon. Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to disable.
This refreshes the network connection. On one setup it worked right away, on another, had to do it twice for good luck. Kind of weird, but it’s worth trying.
Step 3: Restart the iPhone (Force Reboot)
This shouldn’t be overlooked. Restarting can clear glitches. Here’s how:
- Press and hold the Side button + Volume Up or Volume Down until the slider pops up.
- Slide to power off.
- Once it’s off, hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears again.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a reboot to fix the network handshake. Works on most newer models, especially if the carrier update didn’t take effect immediately.
Step 4: Update iOS
Yeah, firmware updates often bring fixes for network problems. Check this:
- Head over to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If there’s an update, download it. May take some time, but it often helps with connectivity bugs.
On some devices, not updating caused these SOS issues to stick around until the latest version was installed. Can’t hurt to check.
Step 5: Reset Network Settings
This one is a bit more aggressive. It resets Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN, and cellular settings — but sometimes, that’s what’s needed. To do it:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if asked, and confirm.
It’s like wiping the slate clean, but be aware: you’ll lose saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN configs. Still, it’s helped plenty of folks who were stuck in SOS limbo for no good reason.
Extra: Contact Your Carrier & Consider a SIM Swap
If none of the above did the trick, maybe your carrier’s account has issues, or your SIM is dead. Reach out to them and ask if there’s any problem on their end. Also, trying a new or different SIM (if you have one) can tell if it’s a hardware issue or just the card.
Sometimes, carriers do weird stuff in the backend, and new SIMs or letting them refresh your account can fix the problem.
Additional Commonsense Checks
Make sure your account isn’t suspended or has unpaid bills – that can kill network access without warning. Also, double-check the carrier settings update:
- In Settings, go to General > About: if there’s any update available, a prompt will pop up. Update if needed.
And of course, because of course, iPhones aren’t perfect, and sometimes a hardware fault or a bad antenna can be to blame. If it still lingers after all these steps, definitely consider visiting an Apple Store or authorized repair shop. Could be a hardware problem that software tricks can’t fix.
Summary
- Check and reseat your SIM card
- Make sure airplane mode is off
- Force restart your phone
- Update iOS and carrier settings
- Reset network settings if all else fails
- Contact your carrier if still no luck
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Sometimes these issues are just stubborn, but the above steps are tried and true pretty often. Fingers crossed this helps.