Table of Contents
This article will show you how to Fix “SOS Only” issue on iPhone. Thanks to a few significant hardware and software upgrades that elevated what has emerged as the new Apple standard, the iPhone 16 debuted to rave reviews from critics. The always-on display for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is intriguing, despite its flaws. Many also laud the upgraded camera system, though it has evolved into something of a venerable custom over time. We frequently use our phones to fix problems (call or Google) whenever they arise. But what if something goes wrong with your phone? What if SOS or SOS only appears on your iPhone and you are unable to fix it? So allow us to assist you with these straightforward fixes.
You can see an SOS or SOS only in the top-right corner of iOS 16 and the top-left corner of iOS 16 and earlier if your iPhone is unable to properly connect to a cellular network. This means that you are unable to use cellular data, send or receive messages, or make or receive phone calls. However, you can call 911 or the relevant authorities and use the emergency SOS service. You are not in the coverage area, which is the most straightforward explanation. Australia, Canada, and the United States are the only countries that can use the feature. We mentioned below are the ways how to Fix “SOS Only” issue on iPhone.
Causes of “SOS Only” issue on iPhone
- No Service in the Area: If you are in an area with poor or no cellular network coverage, your iPhone may display “SOS Only.” Make sure you are in an area with adequate network coverage.
- SIM Card Issues: A faulty or improperly inserted SIM card can lead to the “SOS Only” problem. Ensure that your SIM card is correctly inserted and not damaged.
- Network Provider Issues: Sometimes, the issue may be with your network provider. There could be network outages or problems with their services. Contact your network provider to check for any ongoing network issues.
- Carrier Settings Update: Occasionally, the iPhone may require a carrier settings update to function correctly. To check for updates, go to “Settings” > “General” > “About.” If an update is available, you’ll be prompted to install it.
- Airplane Mode: If your iPhone is in Airplane Mode, it will disable cellular services and show “SOS Only.” Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off.
- IMEI or Activation Issues: Problems with the iPhone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or activation status can result in “SOS Only.” Contact your carrier or Apple support if you suspect issues with device activation.
How to Fix “SOS Only” issue on iPhone
Restart iPhone
- Restarting your iPhone will take care of all the issues if the “SOS icon” is a temporary glitch.
- Our go-to technique for resolving any transient bug on any device, this will refresh all the bugs on your device.
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time until the Switch-Off menu appears to restart your iPhone.
- To turn off your iPhone, move the slider now to the right.
- After that, wait a minute and then long-press the Power button to turn on your iPhone once more.
Turn On Data Roaming
- Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
- Select “Mobile Data”, click on “Mobile Data Options” and turn on the Data Roaming Mode setting.
- Toggle on to enable data roaming.
- You have now enabled data roaming on your iPhone.
Turn Off And On Mobile Data
- Activate “Settings” and press “Mobile Data”.
- Switch Mobile Data off.
- Wait a minute and then turn Mobile Data on again.
- This will turn off each “SOS only” on the iPhone.
Switch to LTE or 4G
- Launch “Settings” on your iPhone.
- Click on “Mobile Data” and within that select “Mobile Data Options”.
- Select the “Voice and Data” option.
- Now switch from 5G Auto to 4G to switch connection speeds.
- Doing this will turn off the 5G connection and select only the 4G connection.
Disable and Enable Automatic Network Selection
- Go to “Settings” and click on “Mobile Data
- Select “Network Selection”.
- Turn off the “Automatic” toggle for a while.
- After a few seconds, turn the toggle back on.
Reset Your Network Settings
- Open “Settings” and click on “General”.
- Scroll to the bottom and click “Transfer or reset iPhone”.
- Click on “Reset” and select “Reset Network Settings”.
- It will prompt a password window, enter your password and confirm it.
- Select “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm your selection.
Update Carrier Settings
- Start “Settings” and go to “General”.
- Click on “About”.
- If there are updates available, a dialog box will appear on the screen. Select the update and install it.
Conclusion
So here we conclude our article on how to Fix “SOS Only” issue on iPhone. However, not all the changes were positive. For instance, on the Pro models, we did away with the unsightly notch in favor of a pill-shaped hole for the front-facing camera system that is not entirely popular. However, it did serve as an inspiration for Apple to create the brand-new Dynamic Island feature, which adds some useful functionality to a number of apps and will only get better over time. However, there is one modification that hasn’t received much attention: occasionally, the status bar of your iPhone may display the label “SOS Only.” It almost sounds frightening, but once you realize what it’s for, your worries should subside.
Questions and Answers
First things first, check to see that you still have an active plan with the network carrier you use. It’s possible that your current plan has run out of time, which is why you’re getting the message that your SIM card is invalid. There are plenty of reasons why this could be the case. You need only access the website of your carrier in order to make the desired recharge.
If the message “SOS” appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen of your iPhone, it indicates that you can make calls over a cellular network. You also have the option to add contacts for urgent matters. The iPhone sends a text message to your emergency contacts after an emergency call has ended, unless you choose to cancel the alert and stop it from being sent.
Ensure that your iPhone is running the most recent version of software and has the capability to support an eSIM. Make sure the device can be unlocked before using it with a carrier other than T-Mobile if you bought it from somewhere else. Check that you are linked to a Wi-Fi network and that the internet is functioning properly. Take out the SIM card from the device if you aren’t going to be using the physical SIM card.
If you are outside of your carrier’s coverage area, the warning will appear on your iPhone when you are only able to make calls to emergency numbers, such as 911. To resolve the issue, you can try to get back into the coverage area of your carrier, toggle airplane mode on and off, or restart your iPhone to try to reestablish a connection.