When you make a call with SOS, your iPhone will automatically call the local emergency number and share your location information with the emergency services1. In some countries and regions, you may need to choose the service you need.
If you press the button accidentally in a non-emergency situation, you can simply end the call by pressing and holding the button for several seconds to hang up. Otherwise, the emergency response specialist will ask you to confirm that emergency services are not required.
If you start the countdown by accident, you can cancel. On iPhone 8 or later, release the side button and volume button before the countdown ends. On iPhone 7 or earlier, press the Stop button, then tap Stop Calling. If the call has been made but you don't need emergency services, don't hang up.
Open your phone's Settings app. Emergency SOS. Under How it works, tap the Settings icon. Tap Turn off Emergency SOS.
Apple's SOS feature uses the iPhone GPS to track an individual's location. After the emergency call, the device sends your designated contacts a text message containing details of your current location. The device will continue to send updates if your location changes.
Once the SOS message is sent, your emergency contacts will be able to locate your exact location and view your photos and audio files via MMS messages.
Emergency SOS has two features enabled by default, and both activate when the SOS is triggered. The first triggers a loud alarm, and the second calls the emergency services.
If you see SOS or "SOS only" in the status bar, your device isn't connected to a network, but you can still make emergency calls. This feature is available in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Your iPhone sends a text message to your emergency contacts once. The iPhone sends your current location, and your emergency contacts will receive updates when your location changes for a period of time after you enter SOS mode. This emergency SOS feature works on iPhone 8 or later versions.
Apple's groundbreaking safety service Emergency SOS via satellite is available starting today for customers in Australia and New Zealand. Available on all iPhone 14 models, the innovative technology enables users to message with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
In modern terminology, SOS is a Morse "procedural signal" or "prosign", used as a start-of-message mark for transmissions requesting assistance when loss of life or catastrophic loss of property is imminent.
The message says, "You're receiving this message because someone you know chose you as an emergency contact and used Emergency SOS via satellite." To receive additional text messages, your emergency contacts need to respond "YES" to the first message within 48 hours.
In Morse Code, “SOS” is a signal sequence of three dits, three dats, and another three dits spelling “S-O-S”. The expression “Save Our Ship” was probably coined by sailors to signal for help from a vessel in distress.
In fact, with the release of Android 12 in 2021, Google mandated all Android phones to have an Emergency SOS-like functionality that can be easily triggered from the power button. Now, it looks like the feature is causing a lot of accidental calls to 911.
Section of State (SOS) and Section of State Range (SOSR)
What are SOS Alerts? SOS Alerts aim to make emergency information more accessible during a crisis. We bring together relevant and authoritative content from the web, social media, and Google products, and then highlight that information on Google products such as Search and Maps.
You cannot contact the SES by dialing 000. Calls to 000 can only be transferred to police, fire or ambulance services.
Turn on Emergency SOS. By default, a loud alarm will play and your phone will call 911.
Press and hold the side button until the sliders appear, then drag the Emergency Call slider to the right. Your Apple Watch calls the emergency services in your region—for example, 911.
If you see the “SOS or “SOS Only” text in the iPhone status bar, this means the iPhone is not connected to a cellular network that is able to use typical cellular connectivity. However, SOS / SOS Only does imply that you can continue to make emergency calls from the iPhone.
You can turn off the Emergency SOS feature on your iPhone by going to Settings > Emergency SOS. From there, you can toggle off the Call with Side Button option and the Auto Call option. If you turn off Call with Side Button, you can still use the Emergency SOS slider to make a call.