- Millions of iPhone users are unable to make calls due to devices being in SOS
- The issue stems from a nationwide outage plaguing AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile
- READ MORE: Cell networks down nationwide updates
Millions of iPhone users have been hit with an outage that is leaving devices on SOS mode, hindering their ability to make calls or send text messages.
While the issue is due to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile experiencing a network outage, there are several workarounds to get your smartphone back online.
The easiest option may be a hard reset, which is different from just turning the iPhone on and off.
Users can also switch to Data Roaming to regain service, but this feature may cost extra money in your next bill depending on the cellular carrier.
Millions of iPhone users have been hit with an outage across the US that is leaving devices on SOS mode, making them unable to make calls or send text messages
When your iPhone shows SOS Only, you are unable to make regular calls, SMS or use cellular data.
The SOS Only appears in the top-right corner of the control center with the latest iOS software and the top left corner in previous versions.
However, you can make Emergency SOS calls to authorities – and many police departments have noted that Thursday’s outage has not disrupted 911 services.
Regardless, millions of Americans are frustrated about being left in the dark without cellular services -but there are many hacks to bypass the outage.
Hard Reset
DownDetector’s outage map highlights New York, Boston, Washington, Montreal, Honolulu, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco as hot spots with disruptive service
Many Americans may have turned their iPhone on and off several times this morning.
And while that usually fixes most smartphone issues, the outage requires a hard reset of the device.
This is done by pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button, then the volume down and then pressing and holding the side button.
When the Apple logo appears, release the side button and then restart your iPhone as normal.
Enable roaming on your iPhone
Open Settings, select Cellular/Mobile Data and toggle on Data Roaming.
Data roaming is typically needed when you are traveling outside of your mobile network’s coverage area and want to use cellular data services on your mobile device.
Using this option during the outage lets you get a connection by turning off SOS on your iPhone – but there could be an extra fee for using Data Roaming.
Deactivating Emergency SOS
Apple launched Emergency SOS in 2022 with the iPhone 14 lineup, which lets users quickly and easily call for help and alert emergency contacts they are in danger.
But another workaround for the nationwide outage lives right in the app.
Go to Settings, select Emergency SOS and toggle off Call with Hold and Release, Call with 5 Button Presses and Call Quietly.
If you have an iPhone 14 or later, there is an additional toggle for Call After Severe Crash that also needs to be turned off.
DownDetector, a site that monitors online outages, shows issues appeared around 4am ET.
The website’s outage map highlights New York, Boston, Washington, Montreal, Honolulu, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco as hot spots with disruptive service.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk