How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone: The “SOS” feature on an iPhone is a critical safety function that enables users to call emergency services quickly. While this feature can be life-saving in emergencies, it may sometimes activate unintentionally, leading to false alarms or accidental calls. If you find that the SOS feature on your iPhone is triggering unnecessarily, you can adjust its settings or turn it off to prevent such occurrences.
To turn off the SOS feature, navigate to Settings > Emergency SOS. Here, you can toggle off the “Call with Side Button” or “Auto Call” options, depending on your preferences. Turning off these options means the SOS feature won’t activate automatically if the side button is pressed repeatedly or held down. This adjustment ensures that emergency services are contacted only when intentionally initiated.
Keep in mind that the SOS feature is designed for your safety, and disabling it may limit your ability to call for help quickly in critical situations. Instead of turning it off completely, consider modifying the settings to better suit your needs. Always weigh the benefits of this feature before making changes, and remember that your safety is paramount.
What is the SOS Feature on iPhone?
The SOS feature on an iPhone is a safety function designed to help users quickly call emergency services in times of distress. When activated, the feature allows you to contact emergency responders by pressing the side button or volume buttons in a specific sequence. This can be crucial in situations where you may not be able to dial manually.
When activated, the iPhone automatically calls emergency services, sends a message to emergency contacts (if set up), and shares your location with them. This ensures that help is notified and on the way, even if you are unable to communicate directly.
The SOS feature can be triggered by pressing and holding the side button along with a volume button until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Alternatively, if you hold the buttons longer, the phone will automatically dial emergency services without needing to slide.
Why do You want to Turn Off SOS on Your iPhone?
There are several reasons why you might want to turn off the SOS feature on your iPhone:
- Accidental Activation: One of the most common reasons people disable the SOS feature is to prevent unintentional activation. The SOS function can be triggered unintentionally by pressing the side and volume buttons too quickly or while the phone is in your pocket or bag, leading to a false emergency call.
- Unwanted Emergency Notifications: When the SOS feature is triggered, it can send messages to your emergency contacts with your location details. If you’re not in a real emergency but accidentally activate SOS, this could cause unnecessary concern for your contacts.
- Frequent Activation During Specific Activities: Some activities, like working out or carrying the phone in a specific way, might unintentionally trigger the SOS function. This could be frustrating, especially if it happens frequently during daily use.
- Preference for Manual Control: Some users prefer more control over when they call emergency services and may feel the automatic activation of SOS doesn’t align with their needs or preferences. Turning it off allows them to call for help only when they genuinely want to.
- Avoiding Battery Drain: In rare cases, the SOS feature can cause the phone to remain in a “listening mode,” which may drain the battery, especially if accidentally triggered during long periods.
While the SOS feature can be a lifesaver, it’s understandable that some users may want to turn it off or adjust its settings for a more tailored experience.
Adjusting Auto Call Settings for SOS
Adjusting the Auto Call settings for the SOS feature on your iPhone allows you to control whether the phone automatically dials emergency services when the feature is triggered. By default, when you activate the SOS function, your iPhone will automatically call emergency services. However, you can choose to turn off this auto-call feature if you prefer manual control over the call.
Here’s how to adjust the Auto Call setting for SOS on your iPhone:
Steps to Adjust Auto Call Settings for SOS:
- Open Settings: Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to Emergency SOS: Scroll down and tap on Emergency SOS.
- Toggle Off Auto Call: In the Emergency SOS menu, you’ll see an option called Auto Call. By default, this option is turned on, meaning the phone will automatically dial emergency services when the SOS feature is activated. To turn it off, toggle the switch to the off position.
- Optional: Customize Other SOS Settings: You can also adjust other SOS settings, like whether the side button or volume buttons trigger the SOS feature or whether you want to send your location to emergency contacts when the SOS is activated.
Why Adjust the Auto Call Feature?
Turning off Auto Call can help prevent accidental calls to emergency services. For example, if you accidentally press the side button and volume buttons, your phone will display an Emergency SOS slider. Still, it won’t call emergency services unless you slide to confirm the call manually. This gives you more control and prevents making a distress call by mistake.
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Alternatives to Turning Off the SOS Feature
If you find the SOS feature on your iPhone functional but are concerned about accidental activation, there are several alternatives to completely turning it off. These options allow you to maintain the safety benefits of SOS while minimizing the chances of triggering it unintentionally:
Adjust the SOS Settings (Disable Auto Call)
Instead of turning off the entire SOS feature, you can turn off the Auto Call setting. This way, if you activate SOS by pressing the side button and volume button, it won’t automatically dial emergency services. Instead, the phone will show the Emergency SOS slider, and you can choose whether to make the call. This gives you more control and prevents accidental calls without losing the ability to use SOS when needed.
Lock the Screen During Certain Activities
If you’re worried about your phone’s SOS being activated when you’re in your pocket or bag, you can lock the screen by pressing the side button before putting it in your pocket. This will prevent the screen from being sensitive to button presses, reducing the likelihood of accidental SOS activation.
Use a Case with Button Protection
Some phone cases are designed to prevent accidental button presses by covering or cushioning the side and volume buttons. Using a case like this can help you avoid accidentally triggering the SOS feature while still having easy access to the buttons when needed.
Turn Off “Call with Side Button” (for Older iPhones)
For iPhones prior to the iPhone 8, you can turn off the “Call with Side Button” feature in the settings. This prevents SOS from being activated when the side button is pressed five times. This option is handy if you’re concerned about activating SOS by mistake in situations like holding the phone in your hand or your pocket.
Enable “Silent Mode” or Do Not Disturb
Suppose you don’t want to be disturbed by emergency alerts or accidental SOS calls while you’re in a situation where you might activate SOS unintentionally (e.g., in a meeting or during exercise). In that case, you can enable Silent Mode or Do Not Disturb. These features prevent incoming calls and notifications from interrupting you, and the SOS feature will still be available in case of a real emergency.
Educate Yourself and Family Members on Proper Use
Sometimes, the solution is simply ensuring you understand how SOS works and training others who might be using your phone. Familiarize yourself with how to activate and deactivate the SOS feature properly, and ensure family members know how to handle the situation if it’s activated accidentally.
These alternatives allow you to retain the emergency features of SOS while reducing the likelihood of unintentional activations, striking a balance between safety and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off the Auto Call feature without completely turning off SOS?
Yes, you can turn off the “Auto Call” feature under Settings > Emergency SOS. This feature prevents your phone from automatically calling emergency services if SOS is triggered.
How can I prevent SOS from being activated in my pocket or bag?
You can turn off the Auto Call setting or use a phone case that covers the side and volume buttons to prevent accidental presses. Alternatively, lock your screen before putting your phone away.
What is the risk of turning off the SOS feature?
Turning off the SOS feature may prevent you from quickly reaching emergency services during a crisis. Consider this risk before turning it off, especially if you often find yourself in situations where you might need emergency help.
Can I still send my location to emergency contacts with SOS turned off?
No, if you turn off the Auto Call feature, you may lose the automatic location-sharing function with emergency contacts. However, you can manually send your location through other apps like Messages.
How do I re-enable SOS if I change my mind?
To re-enable SOS, go back to Settings > Emergency SOS and toggle on the Auto Call or Call with Side Button settings. This will restore the default behavior to trigger the SOS feature.
Conclusion
The iPhone’s SOS feature is a valuable tool for ensuring quick access to emergency services during a crisis. However, there are instances where users may prefer to turn off or adjust the feature, mainly to prevent accidental activations. By customizing the settings, such as disabling Auto Call or adjusting the button-triggering functions, users can maintain control over when and how SOS is activated without completely losing the safety benefits.
