Feb 21, 2025 • Filed to: Mobile Repair Solutions • Proven solutions
Losing network reception is the very last thing we want to experience. Why so? Simply because our mobile phones cannot do much without stable cellular connectivity. With signal bars all down, basic tasks like sending text messages or making phone calls suddenly become a chore. The same thing goes for internet surfing unless you have access to the Wi-Fi network nearby. That’s why we feel extremely frustrated whenever our iPhone says SOS only.
It will be such a relief when your iPhone says SOS during emergency situations. That means you can still reach the assistance hotline and call for help. However, it’s not the case if this network status suddenly appears on a normal day. It’s potentially an indication that something unusual is going on. Don’t worry. Handling this issue is a piece of cake.
In this article, we’ll discuss the top reasons why iPhone says SOS only. We will also provide some tutorials that can help you fix it quickly and easily. Continue reading below to learn more.
In general terms, the iPhone says SOS Only when there’s no stable network reception in your location. It basically indicates that any type of regular communication other than emergency calls will not push through on your device. However, there are other factors that also lead to such network errors. Some of them are listed below. Check it out.
Have you recently modified the network settings on your iPhone? If so, it’s probably the answer to your question: “Why does my iPhone say SOS Only?” Unusual alerts like SOS Only or No Service pop up suddenly when the default network settings get altered. It means that the recent changes have affected the signal reception of your iPhone.
If your SIM card is not inserted properly into the tray, network issues might arise and cause some problems. That’s probably the reason why your iPhone says SOS Only. The device cannot establish a stable cellular connection because it cannot read the information stored in the SIM card.
It’s possible that the network service is deliberately interrupted by your carrier due to routine maintenance or unexpected signal outages. If that’s the case, the best thing you can do is wait for its full restoration. Don’t worry. Such procedures usually don’t take much time to complete.
Software problems also cause network issues sometimes. That’s probably why your iPhone says SOS Only. The current condition of your iOS is not good enough to receive stable cellular service. Yes. This issue sounds like a bit of concern for the affected users. But don’t sweat it. System glitches can now be fixed easily with the aid of system repair software. All you need is an internet connection and a computer. The rest will be handled alone by the platform.
“My iPhone says SOS Only, how do I fix it?” The answer to this question is very simple. Depending on the cause and nature of the issue, there are many ways to fix this network irregularity. Listed below are some effective solutions you can try when your iPhone says SOS Only. Choose the best one that perfectly fits your current situation.
Most of the time, there’s actually nothing serious when your iPhone says SOS Only. It’s possible that it runs into a minor glitch while starting up. Therefore, you can easily fix it and restore stable network reception by restarting your iPhone. Here’s how to do it in easy steps.
“Why does my new iPhone say SOS Only?” Maybe you just need to restart the wireless connections on your device. Don’t worry. It’s just an easy exercise. All you need to do is turn the Airplane Mode and the Cellular Data on and off. Here’s how to do it quickly and easily.
Is Automatic Network Selection currently enabled on your device? If not, it’s probably why your iPhone says SOS Only. Your SIM card is probably connected to the wrong network at the moment. Don’t worry. Turn it on is as easy as pie. Here’s a short guide for you.
An outdated operating system is the primary cause of mobile problems. It commonly creates issues with certain features that require a higher iOS version. Therefore, don’t take it lightly. Turn on Automatic Updates on your device to ensure you don’t miss it whenever a new version becomes available. Here’s how to do it in easy steps.
As previously mentioned, a miscalibrated network settings can be the reason why your iPhone says SOS Only. The recent adjustments may have altered the network reception of your device and affected its performance. If that’s what happened, the best option you can try is to reset your network settings. Here’s how to do it quickly and easily.
Maybe your SIM card is not placed properly into the tray. That probably explains why your iPhone says SOS Only. Therefore, try to eject the SIM card from your device. Reinsert it again after a few minutes. This time, ensure that it’s placed in the right place to prevent hardware-related network issues from happening again.
Network providers regularly send out carrier settings updates to improve cellular service and fix any lingering issues. That’s why you should always take it into consideration and update your carrier settings whenever a new version becomes available. Here’s how to do it in easy steps.
System glitches are not new to us. They cause certain problems that affect the device's performance and significant features. That’s probably the answer to your question: “Why does my iPhone say SOS Only?” Don’t worry. Wondershare Dr.Fone is there to help you out. It has a powerful iOS repair feature that can fix software glitches. Here’s how to use it in easy steps.
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We have learned from the previous discussions that the iPhone’s SOS feature is indeed useful in times of emergency. That’s why it’s best to enable some of its shortcut keys on your device. Don’t worry. You can absolutely tailor the Emergency SOS settings according to your personal liking. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it.
It indicates a lot of things when your iPhone says SOS Only. It can be a normal network outage, which is the case most of the time. But it can also be a sign of a problem on your device. Refer to the tutorials above to fix it in simple and easy steps. Furthermore, download Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) to get the mobile assistance you need.
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