What SOS on an iPhone means, and how it impacts usage

An iPhone showing "SOS" isn't a cry for help, but it does mean you're having connection issues. This is what the three letters really mean.

SOS is well known as a Morse Code distress signal, quickly and efficiently communicating that there is a major and potentially life-threatening problem. While SOS doesn't actually mean "Save Our Souls" and is really just an agreed-upon communications sequence, the meaning is immediately understandable to almost anyone.

Your iPhone or cellular-equipped iPad can also display SOS in the status bar. However, the meaning is less about the phone being in trouble and more about what it cannot do.

What does SOS mean on an iPhone?

If you see either the term SOS or the phrase "SOS only" in the status bar, it means you're not able to make a call through your network provider. For example, if you're in a blackspot for your chosen phone network, or there happens to be some form of network issue.

What it actually refers to is the capability to use Emergency SOS on an iPhone. In short, you can't do normal calls, text, or use data, but your iPhone will be able to contact the emergency services using a different carrier entirely.

For example, if your iPhone is on T-Mobile but you have no signal at all, it could still allow you to make a call through AT&T or Verizon if signal for those networks is available.

This is a feature that is available for iPhone owners in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

This is also one layer down from Emergency SOS via Satellite in terms of connectivity. That feature is only available if there is no phone signal available from any provider.

"SOS" and "SOS only" differ from the "No Service" or "Searching" status bar notices because you specifically can get cellular signal, just not for your mobile provider. "No Service" and "Searching" mean there are no cellular networks available at that moment, and that the iPhone is still looking for one.

How to place an emergency call on an iPhone displaying SOS

If you need the police, an ambulance, or another emergency service while SOS or SOS Only are displayed, you can try to call for assistance by calling the usual emergency services number for your country. In the United States, that would be 911.

It is also possible to quickly call by pressing the side buttons in various ways.

One way is to hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear on-screen, then use the Emergency Call slider. You can also continue the pinch, and the iPhone will eventually place the call for you.

Alternately, five quick presses of the side button can also bring up the sliders for an emergency call.

How to try reconnecting to your phone network on an iPhone

If someone nearby's mobile devices are working with your phone network but your iPhone has yet to reconnect, you could try and force the iPhone to get back online.

First, you could try restarting your iPhone. Simply turn it off and back on again.

Secondly, you can enable Airplane Mode for a short period, such as 15 to 30 seconds, then turn it back off again. This can be done through Control Center or in Settings using the Airplane Mode toggle.

If these fail, and other people can still use your network provider, this is the time to try and call their support team.