Why Does My Phone Keep Saying SOS? How To Resolve The Problem?

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Subhasree Nag

Mobile

6 Mins Read

August 26, 2025

why does my phone say SOS

Mobile phones often show SOS only. However, this is one of the most common things. Mobile users often panic when they find something, like an SOS-only notification on their mobile phones. However, this is not something to be worried about.

This mostly happens due to the lack of available network in the area, which is due to several factors.

The users, moreover, should try to figure out the reason behind the lack of the network.

Why Does My Phone Say SOS Only? What Does It Mean?

Your phone says SOS only when it does not get proper access to the network.  However, the lack of cellular data does not prevent the mobile phone from giving you access to emergency numbers like 911 if you are in the USA or 100 if you are in India.

Thus, people need to ensure that they do not panic when they have to deal with SOS-related problems. Many people often indulge in activities like the internet connection speed test and several others; however, it is important to understand that none of it is of any use, as the mobile phone does not have access to cellular service.

A person’s mobile phone can access the internet with the help of Wi-Fi. The mobile phone should be able to access Bluetooth and other things as well.

Why Does My Phone Say SOS? What Are The Top Reasons For The Phone To Show SOS Only?

Multiple things cause the phone to show things like SOS. Even though the lack of cellular data is one of the most important reasons, there are other reasons as well.

1. When The Mobile Phone Is In A No-Network Coverage Area 

When the mobile phone is not within the network coverage area, there is a high chance that the mobile phone will not have access to cellular data. 

The SOS only refers to the fact that the mobile phone can make calls to emergency numbers,

Mobile phones can connect to the data even with minimal cellular data.

2. When The Mobile Phone Is Roaming

This mostly happens when you travel. Often, people travel without activating the roaming functionality. 

The mobile phones in different countries should have roaming agreements with the local network providers. 

Moreover, the SOS symbolizes that the network is not available for your phone due to contractual reasons. 

However, the mobile phone should be able to make SOS calls, which are calls for people to understand that they have been in a position to provide some of the most important information during emergencies.    

3. SIM Card Or Network Registration Issues

Sometimes, network registration-related issues with the SIM card that a person is using often lead to problems in the mobile network. 

Hence, the mobile phone shows SOS as it allows for emergency calls to be dialed even during these kinds of situations.

4. Due Bill

People often forget to pay their bills on time. Moreove, this often leads to this kind of situation where they could face situations like these.

Hence, the service providers often cease to provide network services to those who have not made their payments.

5. Network Outages And Other Issues

The service providers often shut down the network services for maintenance reasons. Moreover, the mobile phones show SOS calls only during these situations. 

Moreover, the mobile telephones show SOS as the regular mobile network services remain unavailable.

Mobile phones go through various malfunctions. Mobile phones often show such things due to several technical malfunctions. The user should therefore take their mobile phone for repair. 

However, this is mostly not caused by any external issues and is mostly related to the internal problems of the device.

How Should I Solve The SOS-Only Problem On The Phone?

The solution to the SOS-only problem in a mobile phone mostly depends on the specific problem. Therefore, it is important for a user first to identify the reason behind the problem.

Here are some of the potential solutions to the problem of SOS only on your phone:

1. Connecting With The Mobile Network Service Provider

The users can always connect with the mobile network carrier if the issue is not internal and it is not related to the mobile phone itself. 

The customer support teams of the mobile network providers help people who face problems associated with the mobile network.

2. Turing The Airplane Mode On And Off Again

The users should turn on their mobile phone network and then turn it off. Moreover, the mobile phone shuts down all connections when aeroplane mode is switched on.

However, when the aeroplane mode is turned on, the mobile phone tries to reconnect with all the networks. Thus, this restores the connections, getting the phone back on track.

This can potentially solve the problems with a mobile phone.

3. Restraining The Mobile Device

Turning the mobile phone on and off does not always work. If turning the mobile phone on and off does not work, then the user should simply restart their mobile phone.

Restarting the mobile phone allows the phone to reactivate all the subsystems from zero. Therefore, if there is any particular thing that does not work, it gets reactivated then and there. 

4. Turning The Cellular Data On And Off

Turning the cellular data off and on again allows the mobile phone to reconnect with the available data around the place. 

5. Manually Selecting The Cellular Service In That Area

Manually selecting the cellular service in that area allows the mobile phone to connect well with the cellular network of a particular region. 

However, this method does not work if the network service provider in the area has very weak signals.

The Process For Selecting The Network Career Manually

People often face challenges in selecting their mobile network carrier manually. Usually, the systems fail to detect the network of your mobile carrier. However, manually choosing the carrier’s network allows the mobile phone to reconnect.

The users who are unable to connect with the data should follow these steps:

  • Open the settings app and navigate to cellular 
  • Select the network selection tab and turn off the automatic feature.
  • The mobile phone will redirect you to an option where you will have to choose your carrier. Select the specific career that you want.
  • The users often do not find their career in the list. Users mostly find their mobile networks everywhere. However, places remote from the towers usually do not have mobile networks. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions about SOS

Why Does My Phone Say SOS Only?

The mobile phone device often can not use its cellular data. Moreover, multiple things can cause these types of situations, which include things like a lack of available network or some malfunction in the mobile device.

How Do I Get My Phone Out Of SOS Mode?

Users have multiple ways to exit SOS mode. Restarting the phone, turning the airplane mode on and off are some of the ways that can help.

Why Is My Cellular Phone Showing SOS Only?

Your phone says SOS only when it is unable to access cellular data. Moreover, the mobile phone allows making calls to emergency numbers when there is no cellular network.

Why Does My New Phone Say SOS

The new mobile phones often do not have a SIM card installed. Hence, the lack of a SIM deprives the phone of the cellular data required for accessing the internet.

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Subhasree Nag

A self-proclaimed Swiftian, Instagram-holic, and blogger, Subhasree eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. When she is not imagining dates with Iron Man on Stark Tower (yes, she has the biggest crush on RDJ, which she won’t admit), she can be seen tweeting about the latest trends. Always the first one to break viral news, Subhasree is addicted to social media, and leaves out no opportunity of blogging about the same. She is our go-to source for the latest algorithm updates and our resident editor.

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