iPhone Stuck on Emergency SOS Mode? 7 Ways to Fix It

"I put my iPhone into Emergency SOS mode mistakenly yesterday. When I tried to get it out, my iPhone stuck on the interface and I can do nothing to save it. Does anyone know how to solve the iPhone stuck on Emergency SOS mode?"

If your iPhone is stuck on Emergency SOS mode and the SOS screen won't go away, you may be unable to return to the Lock Screen or use your iPhone normally. This can happen after Emergency SOS is triggered accidentally, the iPhone becomes unresponsive, or iOS encounters a temporary system error. Fortunately, there are several ways to exit the Emergency SOS screen. This guide explains why your iPhone gets stuck in SOS mode and walks you through the most effective fixes step by step.

Why Is My iPhone Stuck on Emergency SOS Mode

An iPhone may get stuck on the Emergency SOS screen for several reasons:

• 01 Emergency SOS was triggered accidentally. Pressing and holding the Side button and a Volume button can activate Emergency SOS on supported iPhone models.
• 02 The iPhone becomes temporarily unresponsive. An iOS glitch or system freeze may prevent the SOS screen from closing normally.
• 03 A software update causes a system error. Problems during or after an iOS update can occasionally affect normal system functions.
• 04 Incorrect or repeated button input. Stuck, damaged, or continuously pressed Side or Volume buttons may keep triggering the Emergency SOS interface.
• 05 Jailbreak or unauthorized system modifications. Modifying iOS can affect system stability and may cause unexpected interface or boot-related issues.

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7 Ways to Fix iPhone Stuck on Emergency SOS Mode

If your iPhone is stuck on Emergency SOS mode, start with the simplest fixes before using system repair or restoring the device. The methods below cover accidental SOS activation, frozen iOS, stuck buttons, software bugs, and more serious system issues.

Way 1. Cancel Emergency SOS If It Is Still Counting Down

If your iPhone is not actually frozen and the Emergency SOS countdown is still running, try canceling the call first.

• Step 1. Release the Side button and Volume button if you are still holding them.
• Step 2. Follow the onscreen option to stop the Emergency SOS countdown or call.
• Step 3. Return to the Lock Screen and check whether your iPhone works normally.

If the emergency call has already connected, tell the dispatcher that the call was accidental rather than simply hanging up.

Way 2. Force Restart Your iPhone

Slightly differing from a reboot, a force restart refers to a hard reset. Through a force restart, your iPhone can be refreshed to solve some minor issues such as iPhone stuck on emergency mode. The steps to force restart an iPhone are based on its model. So first, confirm what model of iPhone you are having and then follow the steps below.

• For iPhone 6 series or earlier: Press and keep holding down the Home and Power (also Sleep/Wake) buttons together. If you see the Apple logo on the screen, release the buttons.
• For iPhone 7 series: Simultaneously press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons until the Apple logo occurs.
• For iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the Volume up button > then Volume Down button. Then, keep holding the Power button before the Apple logo appears.

Way 3. Use iOS Repair Tool - TunesKit iOS System Recovery [No Data Loss]

Tested by most users, applying a force restart may not be effective. In this case, a more powerful tool is needed. Here, try using iOS system recovery software. The software can be applied to some more serious situations when conventional ways do not work as a fix.

TunesKit iOS System Recovery, as a professional desktop program for iOS repair, is widely recognized by its users. It excels at fixing over 150 iPhone/iPad/iPod issues without removing any data. For example, it can resolve the iPhone black screen, green screen, stuck in the Apple logo, etc. And it suits for the iPhone stuck on Emergency SOS screen issue well. In addition, it offers more, including entering and exiting recovery mode, and downgrading iOS.

After learning the program roughly, let us see how to resolve the iPhone stuck on Emergency SOS issue.

Step 1. Connect iPhone to PC

First, open TunesKit on your computer where the iPhone should be connected through a USB cable then. After this, TunesKit will confirm your device within seconds. Next, tap the iOS System Repair button. On the next page, hit the Start button.

Step 2. Select A Mode

Second, select a proper repair mode from the Standard or Deep Repair. You are suggested to choose the Standard Repair to avoid data erasing.

Step 3. Download Firmware Package

Confirm that the detected device information is correct, then click the Download button to download the matching firmware package.

Step 4. Start the Repair

After the firmware is downloaded, click Start Standard Repair and keep the iPhone connected until the process finishes. Once your iPhone restarts, check whether it can exit the Emergency SOS screen normally.

Way 4. Check the Side and Volume Buttons

Emergency SOS can be triggered by pressing the Side and Volume buttons together. If one of these buttons is stuck or continuously pressed, your iPhone may repeatedly return to the SOS screen.

• Step 1. Remove your phone case or protective cover.
• Step 2. Press the Side, Volume Up, and Volume Down buttons several times.
• Step 3. Make sure each button moves freely and returns to its normal position.
• Step 4. Gently clean around the buttons if dirt or debris is blocking them.
• Step 5. Restart the iPhone and check whether Emergency SOS appears again.

Way 5. Update iOS to the Latest Version

In cases like iPhone stuck on SOS screen, an outdated iOS system can be the main reason behind it. You can try to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version to fix this problem. Performing an update on your iOS system can fix various bugs and incompatibilities. You can connect your iPhone to a computer and follow the steps below to update your iPhone system via iTunes, Finder or Apple Devices apps. Here take iTunes as an example.

• Step 1. Download and install iTunes on your computer. Connect your iPhone to iTunes using a USB cable. Trust your computer if prompted.
• Step 2. Click on the little device icon at the top of the toolbar.
• Step 3. Select Summary and hit on the Check for Update button.

Way 6. Update or Restore iPhone in Recovery Mode

If your iPhone cannot start normally or remains frozen on Emergency SOS, Recovery Mode allows you to reinstall iOS through a computer. Try Update before Restore, because Update attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing your data.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC.
• Step 2. Open Finder on Mac or Apple Devices on Windows.
• Step 3. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode.

• iPhone 8 or Later: Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button + Volume Down button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
• iPhone 6s or Earlier: Press and hold the Home button + Side/Top button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

Step 4. When your computer gives you the option to Update or Restore, choose Update first.

Step 5. If updating does not solve the problem, repeat the process and choose Restore.

Way 7. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone still returns to the Emergency SOS screen after software troubleshooting, the problem may involve a damaged Side button, Volume button, display, or another hardware component.

You can contact Apple Support or take the iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized service provider for inspection.

This is especially recommended if:

• The Side or Volume buttons are physically stuck
• The iPhone was recently dropped or exposed to liquid
• Emergency SOS keeps activating by itself
• The iPhone cannot enter Recovery Mode
• The screen or buttons do not respond normally

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Extra Tips for Emergency SOS Mode on iPhone

Emergency SOS is useful when you need help quickly, but accidental triggers or system glitches can sometimes cause unexpected problems. Besides the fixes above, these extra tips can help you use Emergency SOS more safely and avoid getting stuck in Emergency SOS mode again.

1. How to Prevent Accidental Emergency SOS Calls

If you frequently trigger Emergency SOS by mistake, you can adjust its activation settings.

• Step 1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
• Step 2. Tap Emergency SOS.
• Step 3. Turn off the triggering options you do not want to use, such as: Call with Hold and Release, or Call with 5 Presses.

This reduces accidental calls caused by holding or repeatedly pressing the Side button.

2. How Do I Cancel an Accidental Emergency SOS Call?

If the countdown is still active, release the buttons and use the onscreen option to cancel it.

If the call has already connected, stay on the line and explain to the emergency dispatcher that the call was accidental.

3. Why Does My iPhone Keep Going Into Emergency SOS?

If Emergency SOS repeatedly appears without you intentionally activating it, check the Side and Volume buttons first. A tight phone case, stuck button, physical damage, or an iOS system problem can repeatedly trigger the SOS interface.

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Final Words

Emergency SOS is a useful safety feature, but it can be frustrating when your iPhone gets stuck on Emergency SOS mode. The 7 methods above can help you exit the screen and get your iPhone working normally again. If the issue is caused by an iOS system error, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can repair it with Standard Repair without erasing your data.