Millions of iPhone users are affected by an outage that leaves the devices in SOS mode and unable to make calls or send text messages.
Although the issue is due to a network outage on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, 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. However, this feature may incur additional costs in your next bill depending on your carrier.
Millions of iPhone users in the US are affected by an outage that leaves the devices in SOS mode and unable to make calls or send text messages
If your iPhone displays SOS, you won't be able to make regular calls, send text messages, or use cellular data.
The SOS only appears in the top right corner of Control Center in the latest iOS software and in the top left corner in previous versions.
However, you can make emergency SOS calls to authorities.
Regardless, millions of Americans are frustrated that they're left in the dark without cell service — but there are plenty of hacks to get around the outage.
Hard reset
Many Americans may have turned their iPhone on and off multiple times this morning.
DownDetector's outage map highlights New York, Boston, Washington, Montreal, Honolulu, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco as hotspots with disruptive service
And while this usually fixes most smartphone problems, the failure requires a hard reset of the device.
This is done by pressing and quickly releasing the volume up button, then the same with the volume down button, and then again with the side button.
Swipe to “Slide to turn off” and then restart your iPhone as usual.
Enable roaming on your iPhone
Open Settings, select Cellular/Cellular Data and turn on Data Roaming.
Data roaming is typically necessary when you are traveling outside of your cellular network coverage area and want to use cellular data services on your mobile device.
If you use this option during the outage, you can connect by disabling SOS on your iPhone. However, additional charges may apply for using data roaming.
Disable emergency SOS
Apple introduced Emergency SOS in 2022 with the iPhone 14 series, allowing users to quickly and easily call for help and notify emergency contacts if they are in danger.
Multiple cell phone providers are affected by a nationwide outage that is plaguing millions of Americans
But another workaround for the nationwide outage can be found right in the app.
Go to Settings, select Emergency SOS, and turn off Hold and Release Call, 5-Press Call, and Silent Call.
If you have an iPhone 14 or later, there is an additional toggle for “Call after hard crash” that also needs to be turned off.
About the failure
DownDetector, a website that monitors online outages, shows the problems began around 4 a.m. ET.
The website's outage map highlights New York, Boston, Washington, Montreal, Honolulu, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco as hotspots with disruptive service.
Most incident reports came from customers of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, but smaller providers such as Boost Mobile, Consumer Cellular and Straight Talk also reported similar outages.
Emergency operators nationwide have warned that the outage has affected their ability to answer calls.