iPhone Stuck on Emergency SOS? Here’s How to Fix It!
Experiencing your iPhone stuck on Emergency SOS mode can be incredibly frustrating and concerning. It means your phone is essentially locked down, only able to make emergency calls, and preventing you from accessing your contacts, apps, and other essential features. This situation can arise due to a variety of reasons, ranging from software glitches to hardware problems. Fortunately, in many cases, you can resolve this issue yourself with a few troubleshooting steps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to diagnose and fix your iPhone when it’s stuck on Emergency SOS.
Understanding Emergency SOS Mode
Before diving into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand what Emergency SOS mode is and why your iPhone might be stuck in it.
Emergency SOS is a safety feature available on iPhones that allows users to quickly call emergency services and notify emergency contacts in a crisis. When activated, it disables Touch ID/Face ID and only allows access to emergency calling functionalities. It’s designed to be a swift way to get help when you need it most.
Reasons Why Your iPhone Might Be Stuck on Emergency SOS:
* Accidental Activation: You might have accidentally triggered the Emergency SOS feature by pressing the side button and volume button simultaneously or rapidly pressing the side button five times (depending on your iPhone model and settings).
* Software Glitches: Sometimes, bugs or glitches in the iOS software can cause the iPhone to get stuck in Emergency SOS mode.
* Failed iOS Update/Restore: An interrupted or incomplete iOS update or restore process can leave your iPhone in an unstable state, potentially leading to the Emergency SOS issue.
* Hardware Issues: In rare cases, a hardware problem, particularly related to the power button or volume buttons, might cause the phone to repeatedly trigger Emergency SOS.
* Jailbreaking (if applicable): Modifying the operating system through jailbreaking can introduce instability and lead to unexpected behaviors, including getting stuck in Emergency SOS.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix iPhone Stuck on Emergency SOS
Now, let’s explore a range of solutions to get your iPhone out of Emergency SOS mode and back to its normal functionality. Start with the simplest steps and progress to more complex ones if necessary.
1. Try a Force Restart
A force restart is often the first and most effective solution for minor software glitches. It doesn’t erase any data on your iPhone but forces it to reboot, potentially clearing the issue that’s causing the Emergency SOS lock.
* For iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and later:
1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button (power button) until the Apple logo appears. Don’t release when the power off slider appears; keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
* For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
1. Press and hold both the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
2. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
* For iPhone 6s and earlier, and iPhone SE (1st generation):
1. Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button (power button) simultaneously.
2. Keep holding until the Apple logo appears.
After the force restart, check if your iPhone returns to its normal state.
2. Check Your SIM Card
Sometimes, a faulty or improperly seated SIM card can cause connectivity issues, potentially triggering unexpected behavior like Emergency SOS. Ejecting and reinserting your SIM card can often resolve this.
1. Locate the SIM card tray: It’s usually located on the side of your iPhone. You’ll need a SIM eject tool or a straightened paperclip.
2. Eject the SIM tray: Insert the SIM eject tool or paperclip into the small hole next to the tray and gently push until the tray pops out.
3. Inspect the SIM card: Check for any damage or dirt on the SIM card.
4. Reinsert the SIM card: Carefully place the SIM card back into the tray, ensuring it’s properly aligned. Push the tray back into the iPhone until it clicks into place.
5. Restart your iPhone: After reinserting the SIM card, restart your iPhone to see if the issue is resolved.
3. Disable Emergency SOS via Side Button
While you’re trying to escape Emergency SOS, inadvertently pressing the buttons might reactivate it. Check your Emergency SOS settings to prevent accidental triggers.
1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Find Emergency SOS: Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS”.
3. Disable “Call with Side Button”: Toggle the switch next to “Call with Side Button” to the off position (grey). This prevents Emergency SOS from being activated by quickly pressing the side button five times.
Note: Disabling “Call with Side Button” will not affect the Emergency SOS functionality if you use the Emergency SOS slider (pressing and holding the side button and a volume button).
4. Check and Disable ‘Call After Serious Crash’ (iPhone 14 and later)
On iPhone 14 models and later, the Crash Detection feature can sometimes trigger Emergency SOS if it mistakenly detects a car crash. If you are experiencing issues with false positives or suspect Crash Detection is related, consider temporarily disabling it to see if it resolves the Emergency SOS problem.
1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Find Emergency SOS: Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS”.
3. Disable ‘Call After Serious Crash’: Toggle the switch next to “Call After Serious Crash” to the off position (grey).
Important: Only disable Crash Detection if you are confident it is causing the issue. Remember that this feature is designed to help you in a real emergency. If you frequently engage in activities that might trigger false positives (e.g., riding motorcycles, participating in off-road driving), consider adjusting your settings or being aware of the potential for accidental activations.
5. Update to the Latest iOS Version
Outdated software can often contain bugs that lead to unexpected issues like being stuck in Emergency SOS mode. Updating to the latest version of iOS can patch these bugs and improve the stability of your iPhone.
1. Connect to Wi-Fi: Ensure your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
3. Tap General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
4. Tap Software Update: Tap on “Software Update”. Your iPhone will check for available updates.
5. Download and Install: If an update is available, tap “Download and Install”. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
Note: Make sure your iPhone has sufficient battery life (at least 50%) before starting the update. It’s also a good idea to back up your iPhone before updating, in case anything goes wrong.
6. Reset Network Settings
Sometimes, network-related issues can cause your iPhone to behave erratically. Resetting your network settings can resolve these problems.
1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone: Scroll down and tap on “Transfer or Reset iPhone”.
4. Tap Reset: Tap on “Reset”.
5. Tap Reset Network Settings: Tap on “Reset Network Settings”. You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode.
Important: Resetting network settings will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings. You’ll need to re-enter this information after the reset.
7. Reset All Settings (Caution Advised)
If resetting network settings doesn’t work, you can try resetting all settings. This will revert all your iPhone’s settings to their default values, but it won’t erase your data (photos, videos, apps, etc.).
1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General: Scroll down and tap on “General”.
3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone: Scroll down and tap on “Transfer or Reset iPhone”.
4. Tap Reset: Tap on “Reset”.
5. Tap Reset All Settings: Tap on “Reset All Settings”. You’ll be prompted to enter your passcode.
Caution: Resetting all settings can be time-consuming, as you’ll need to reconfigure many of your preferences. Only use this as a last resort before considering a full restore.
8. Restore Your iPhone in Recovery Mode
If none of the above steps work, you might need to restore your iPhone in Recovery Mode. This process completely erases your iPhone and reinstalls the latest version of iOS. You’ll need a computer with iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later) to perform this.
Important: Restoring your iPhone will erase all your data. Make sure you have a recent backup before proceeding. If you don’t have a backup, you’ll lose all your data.
1. Connect Your iPhone to Your Computer: Use a Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode: The steps for entering Recovery Mode vary depending on your iPhone model:
* iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and later:
1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
3. Press and hold the Side button (power button). Don’t release when the power off slider appears; keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a cable pointing to a computer).
* iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
1. Press and hold both the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
2. Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a cable pointing to a computer).
* iPhone 6s and earlier, and iPhone SE (1st generation):
1. Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button (power button) simultaneously.
2. Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen appears (a cable pointing to a computer).
3. Restore Your iPhone:
* In iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS): A window will appear, giving you the option to “Update” or “Restore”.
* Try “Update” first: This will attempt to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. If it works, you’re lucky!
* If “Update” fails: You’ll need to click “Restore”. Be aware that this will erase all your data.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore process.
After the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and you’ll need to set it up as new or restore it from a backup.
9. DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode Restore (Advanced)
DFU mode is the deepest type of restore you can perform on an iPhone. It bypasses the iOS operating system and allows you to directly reinstall the firmware. This is a more advanced troubleshooting step and should only be attempted if Recovery Mode doesn’t work.
Important: DFU mode restore will erase all your data. Make sure you have a backup before proceeding. This process is more complex than Recovery Mode and carries a higher risk of bricking your iPhone if not performed correctly. Only proceed if you are comfortable with advanced troubleshooting steps.
The steps for entering DFU mode are very specific and vary slightly depending on your iPhone model:
* iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and later:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
3. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
4. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
5. Press and hold the Side button (power button) for 10 seconds.
6. While still holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
7. Release the Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
8. If the screen remains black, you’ve successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo, you need to start over.
* iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
3. Press and hold both the Side button (power button) and the Volume Down button for 10 seconds.
4. Release the Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
5. If the screen remains black, you’ve successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo, you need to start over.
* iPhone 6s and earlier, and iPhone SE (1st generation):
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
3. Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button (power button) for 10 seconds.
4. Release the Side button but continue holding the Home button for another 5 seconds.
5. If the screen remains black, you’ve successfully entered DFU mode. If you see the Apple logo, you need to start over.
If your iPhone is in DFU mode, iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS) will detect it and prompt you to restore it. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore process.
10. Contact Apple Support or Visit an Authorized Service Provider
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and your iPhone is still stuck on Emergency SOS, it’s likely that there’s a hardware problem. In this case, it’s best to contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider for assistance. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and repair hardware issues that might be causing the problem.
When to Contact Apple Support:
* If your iPhone is still under warranty.
* If you suspect a hardware problem.
* If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and nothing has worked.
Preventing Future Emergency SOS Issues
Once you’ve resolved the Emergency SOS issue, here are some tips to prevent it from happening again:
* Be mindful of button presses: Avoid accidentally pressing the side button and volume buttons simultaneously or rapidly pressing the side button five times.
* Keep your software up to date: Regularly update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS to ensure you have the latest bug fixes and security updates.
* Protect your iPhone from physical damage: Use a protective case to prevent damage to the power button and volume buttons.
* Review Emergency SOS settings: Periodically check your Emergency SOS settings to ensure they are configured to your preferences.
By following these steps and taking preventive measures, you can minimize the chances of your iPhone getting stuck on Emergency SOS mode and ensure that you can always access your phone when you need it most.
Disclaimer: These troubleshooting steps are provided for informational purposes only. The success of these steps may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your iPhone and the cause of the issue. We are not responsible for any damage or data loss that may occur as a result of following these instructions. If you are not comfortable performing these steps yourself, we recommend contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider.