How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Image Credit: Istock

The iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature is a crucial safety tool, but some users may find it necessary how to turn off sos on iphone. This feature, designed to provide quick access to emergency services, can sometimes be activated accidentally, causing unnecessary concern. Understanding how to manage this function is essential for iPhone users, including those with the latest iPhone 15 models, to ensure they have control over their device’s emergency capabilities.

This guide will walk readers through the process of disabling the Emergency SOS feature on their iPhone. It will explain what SOS means on iPhone, why a phone might be in SOS mode, and provide step-by-step instructions to turn off SOS on various iPhone models, including the iPhone 14. By following this guide, users will gain a better understanding of their device’s emergency features and learn how to customize them to their preferences, all while maintaining the ability to access help when truly needed.

Table of Contents

Understanding iPhone’s Emergency SOS Feature

What is Emergency SOS?

Emergency SOS is a crucial safety feature on iPhones designed to provide quick access to emergency services. This feature allows users to connect with emergency responders even in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. On iPhone 14 or later models, Emergency SOS via satellite enables users to text emergency services when they are outside of normal coverage areas.

When is it activated?

Emergency SOS can be activated in several ways:

By simultaneously pressing and holding the side button and either volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
By quickly pressing the side button five times (if enabled in settings).
Automatically, if the iPhone detects a severe car crash or a hard fall and the user is unresponsive.

When activated, the iPhone attempts to call local emergency services. If the call doesn’t connect due to lack of cellular coverage, the device will try to use Emergency SOS via satellite.

Also Read: How to pick a lock with a bobby pin

Benefits and potential drawbacks

Benefits:

Provides a lifeline in emergency situations, especially in remote areas.
Automatically shares critical information with emergency responders, including Medical ID, location, and battery level.
Allows users to notify emergency contacts about their situation.

Potential drawbacks:

Requires a clear view of the sky and horizon to connect to a satellite.
Only supports Latin characters in messages.
May not be suitable as the sole communication tool for deep off-grid adventures.

Emergency SOS via satellite is available in select countries and requires specific iPhone models with the latest iOS versions. While it’s a powerful tool for safety, Apple recommends it as one part of a comprehensive safety plan for outdoor activities.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Emergency SOS

Accessing Emergency SOS settings

To manage the Emergency SOS feature on an iPhone, users need to access the device’s settings. They should open the Settings app and scroll down to find the “Emergency SOS” option. Tapping on this will reveal various Emergency SOS settings that can be customized.

Turning off Call with Hold and Release

One of the ways to initiate an emergency call is by holding and releasing the side and volume buttons. To disable this feature:

Go to Settings > Emergency SOS
Find the “Call with Hold and Release” option
Toggle the switch to turn it off

This action will prevent accidental emergency calls triggered by holding these buttons.

Disabling Call with 5 Button Presses

Another method to activate Emergency SOS is by rapidly pressing the side button five times. To turn this off:

In the Emergency SOS settings
Locate “Call with 5 Presses”
Switch the toggle to the off position

This will stop the countdown to emergency services when the side button is pressed five times in quick succession.

Deactivating Call After Severe Crash (for iPhone 14 and later)

For iPhone 14 and later models, there’s an additional feature that automatically detects severe car crashes. To disable this:

In the Emergency SOS settings
Find “Call After Severe Crash”
Tap the switch to toggle it off

Users should review the prompt that appears and select “Turn Off” to confirm their choice.

Also Read: How to pick a lock with a bobby pin

It’s important to note that even with these features disabled, users can still access emergency services by using the Emergency SOS slider or manually dialing emergency numbers. The Emergency SOS feature cannot be completely turned off for safety reasons, but these steps allow users to minimize accidental activations.

Conclusion

The Emergency SOS feature on iPhone has a significant impact on user safety, offering a lifeline in critical situations. This guide has laid out the steps to customize or disable various aspects of Emergency SOS, giving users more control over their device’s emergency functions. By tweaking these settings, iPhone owners can reduce accidental activations while still maintaining access to help when it’s truly needed.

Understanding and managing the Emergency SOS feature is crucial to make the most of an iPhone’s safety capabilities. While it’s a powerful tool, it’s important to remember that it’s just one part of a broader safety plan. Users should weigh the pros and cons of disabling certain Emergency SOS functions, always keeping in mind the potential need for quick access to emergency services in unforeseen circumstances.

FAQs

1. How do I exit SOS mode on my iPhone?
To exit SOS mode on your iPhone, follow these steps:

Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo, then release the side button.

2. What should I do to cancel an SOS once it has started on my iPhone?
To cancel an SOS on your iPhone, do the following:

For iPhone 8 or later: Release both the side and volume buttons before the countdown finishes.
For iPhone 7 or earlier: Press the Stop button and then tap Stop Calling.
If the call has already been placed but you do not need emergency services, stay on the line and inform the operator that the call was a mistake.

3. How can I disable the Emergency SOS feature on my iPhone?
To turn off the Emergency SOS feature, proceed with these steps: