Troubleshooting Common Issues with Emergency SOS on iPhone

Author:

Emergencies always come unannounced and when they do, every second counts. That’s why iPhones have an Emergency SOS feature that allows users to quickly and easily call for help in any crisis. However, like any other technology, it’s not without its flaws. In this article, we will discuss some common issues with Emergency SOS on iPhone and how to troubleshoot them.

1. Inadvertent Emergency Calls

One of the most common issues with Emergency SOS is accidentally triggering it and making emergency calls without intending to. This can happen when the user presses and holds the side button and one of the volume buttons on newer iPhones, or the power button five times on older models. To avoid this, you can turn off the Emergency SOS auto-call feature by going to Settings > Emergency SOS, and toggling off the “Call with Side Button” or “Call with Top Button” option.

2. Wrong Contacts Called During Emergency

Another issue that users might encounter is calling the wrong contacts during an emergency. This can happen if the Emergency SOS settings are not updated with the correct emergency contacts. To add or edit emergency contacts, go to Settings > Emergency SOS > Emergency Contacts. Here, you can add or remove contacts that you want to be contacted during an emergency.

3. No Cellular or Wi-Fi Connectivity During Emergency

During an emergency, it’s essential to have a stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection. However, there may be instances where these services are not available, making it impossible to call for help using Emergency SOS. In such situations, you can still use the feature by enabling the “Always Show Emergency Contacts” option in the Emergency SOS settings. This will display your designated emergency contacts even if you don’t have a signal.

4. Power Off or Restart During Emergency Call

If your iPhone runs out of battery or shuts down while you’re making an emergency call, it can be a potentially dangerous situation. To prevent this from happening, you can enable the “Auto-Call” feature in the Emergency SOS settings. This will automatically call emergency services as soon as you trigger the Emergency SOS feature, even if your phone is locked or the battery is low.

5. Emergency SOS Not Working After iOS Update

Sometimes, after updating your iPhone’s software, the Emergency SOS feature may stop working or behave unexpectedly. This can happen if there are software glitches or bugs. To troubleshoot this issue, try force restarting your iPhone by pressing and holding the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears. Then, slide to power off and turn your phone back on after a few seconds. If the problem persists, you can reset your phone’s settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.

6. Emergency SOS Not Available in Your Region

Emergency SOS is not available globally and may not work in some countries or regions. In such cases, users may not be able to access the feature or make emergency calls if they are not in their home country. To ensure that you can always use Emergency SOS, check with your mobile carrier to determine if it is available in your region.

In conclusion, Emergency SOS is a valuable feature that can save lives during an emergency. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential issues and how to troubleshoot them to ensure that the feature works seamlessly when needed. By following the tips discussed in this article, users can mitigate any problems and make the most out of this life-saving feature on their iPhones.