If you’ve accidentally activated SOS on your iPhone, don’t worry—turning it off is straightforward. You can quickly stop the SOS feature by ending the call or turning off the alarm. Simply press the side button or follow the prompts on your screen to cancel the emergency services call if it hasn’t been connected yet. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can resolve this issue smoothly.
How to Get SOS Off iPhone
Activating SOS on your iPhone can be a lifesaver in emergencies, but it’s easy to trigger it by mistake. This guide will help you turn off the SOS feature if it’s been accidentally activated.
Step 1: End the Emergency Call
Press the "Cancel" option on the emergency call screen.
If an emergency call has already been initiated, you can often cancel it by tapping a "Cancel" button on the screen before the call goes through. This will stop the SOS signal from reaching emergency services.
Step 2: Turn Off the Alarm
Press the side button to silence the SOS alarm.
If your phone is emitting a loud alarm, pressing the side button should silence it. This is useful for stopping the alert sound that can be distressing or disruptive.
Step 3: Check Your Settings
Go to "Settings," select "Emergency SOS," and review your options.
Head into your iPhone’s settings to see how SOS is set up. You can adjust settings to make accidental activations less likely, such as turning off “Call with Side Button.”
Step 4: Disable Auto Call
Toggle off the "Auto Call" feature in the SOS settings.
By disabling "Auto Call," you prevent your iPhone from automatically calling emergency services when the SOS feature is activated. This gives you more control over when these calls are made.
Step 5: Update Emergency Contacts
Go to "Health" > "Medical ID" > "Edit" and update your emergency contacts.
Ensuring your emergency contacts are up-to-date will help if an SOS is ever activated for real. It ensures the right people are notified when needed.
Once you’ve taken these steps, your iPhone should no longer automatically initiate an SOS call, and any sounds related to the feature should stop. You can relax knowing that future accidental activations are less likely.
Tips for How to Get SOS Off iPhone
- Practice Caution: Be mindful of button presses that might trigger SOS, especially when handling your phone in tight spaces.
- Use Phone Cases Wisely: Check if your phone case is causing accidental button presses that lead to SOS activation.
- Educate Family Members: Ensure everyone using the iPhone knows how to cancel an accidental SOS activation.
- Stay Calm: If SOS is activated accidentally, stay calm and follow the steps to cancel it without panic.
- Check Updates: Regularly update your iPhone to ensure it runs smoothly, which might help reduce SOS mishaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emergency SOS on an iPhone?
Emergency SOS is a feature that quickly calls emergency services and alerts your emergency contacts.
Can I disable SOS completely?
You can’t completely disable SOS, but you can adjust settings to make accidental activation less likely.
What if SOS actually calls emergency services by mistake?
If the call goes through, stay on the line and inform the operator it was an accidental call.
Is there a way to test SOS without calling emergency services?
You can practice accessing the feature without completing the final step of making the call.
Why does the SOS alarm sound so loud?
The loud sound is designed to alert those around you that help might be needed.
Summary
- Cancel the emergency call.
- Silence the alarm.
- Check and adjust SOS settings.
- Disable "Auto Call."
- Update emergency contacts.
Conclusion
Accidentally triggering the SOS feature on your iPhone can be a bit of a heart-stopper, but thankfully, getting SOS off your iPhone is a breeze with these steps. It’s like finding yourself in the middle of a fire drill but quickly realizing everything’s under control. By following the steps outlined above, you can stop the alarm, cancel the call to emergency services, and tweak your settings to avoid future mishaps.
It’s essential to remember that while it’s convenient to have such a feature at your fingertips in real emergencies, it’s just as crucial to know how to manage it in non-emergencies. Think of it as learning to drive a car; you wouldn’t just know how to accelerate—you also need to know where the brakes are.
For further reading, consider exploring Apple’s official support resources or online forums where users share insights and personal experiences. If you find these tips useful, share them with friends or family who might also benefit from knowing how to deftly manage their iPhone’s SOS feature. Happy (and calm) iPhone usage!
Matthew Simpson has been creating online tutorial for computers and smartphones since 2010. His work has been read millions of times and helped people to solve a number of various tech problems. His specialties include Windows, iPhones, and Google apps.