As we navigate the vast digital landscape, our iPhones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. With a plethora of features and functionalities, it’s not uncommon to stumble upon unfamiliar symbols or abbreviations that leave us scratching our heads. One such enigma is the “SOS” icon that appears next to the WiFi symbol on our iPhone screens. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of iPhone SOS and uncover its meaning, functionality, and significance.
Understanding the SOS Feature on iPhone
The SOS feature on iPhone is a built-in emergency service that allows users to quickly call for help in critical situations. Introduced in 2016 with the release of iOS 10, this feature is designed to provide a swift and efficient way to contact emergency services, such as police, fire, or ambulance. When activated, the SOS feature sends a distress signal to the nearest emergency response center, providing them with the user’s location and other vital information.
How to Activate SOS on iPhone
Activating the SOS feature on iPhone is a straightforward process. To do so, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the side button (or Sleep/Wake button on older models) and one of the volume buttons simultaneously for at least 2 seconds.
- Release the buttons when the “Emergency SOS” slider appears on the screen.
- Slide the slider to the right to call emergency services.
Alternatively, you can also activate SOS by rapidly pressing the side button (or Sleep/Wake button) three times in quick succession. This method is often referred to as the “SOS triple-click” feature.
What Happens When You Activate SOS on iPhone?
When you activate the SOS feature on your iPhone, several things happen in rapid succession:
- Your iPhone sends a distress signal to the nearest emergency response center, providing them with your location and other vital information.
- A loud alarm sounds to alert those around you that an emergency call is being made.
- A message is sent to your emergency contacts, informing them that you’ve activated the SOS feature and providing them with your location.
The SOS Icon Next to WiFi: What Does it Mean?
Now that we’ve explored the SOS feature on iPhone, let’s address the question at hand: what does the SOS icon mean when it appears next to the WiFi symbol on your iPhone screen?
The SOS icon next to WiFi indicates that your iPhone is in Emergency SOS mode. This means that your device is attempting to connect to a nearby cellular network or WiFi hotspot to send a distress signal to emergency services. When your iPhone is in this mode, it will continue to try and establish a connection until it successfully sends the SOS signal or until you cancel the emergency call.
Why Does the SOS Icon Appear Next to WiFi?
The SOS icon appears next to WiFi for a few reasons:
- Your iPhone is trying to connect to a nearby WiFi network to send the SOS signal.
- Your device is using WiFi to determine your location and provide it to emergency services.
- Your iPhone is attempting to send a message to your emergency contacts via WiFi.
What to Do When You See the SOS Icon Next to WiFi
If you see the SOS icon next to WiFi on your iPhone screen, it’s essential to take immediate action:
- If you’ve accidentally activated the SOS feature, cancel the emergency call by tapping the “Stop” button on the screen.
- If you’re in a genuine emergency situation, let the SOS feature do its job and send the distress signal to emergency services.
- If you’re experiencing issues with your iPhone’s WiFi connectivity, try restarting your device or resetting your network settings.
Additional Features and Functionality
In addition to the SOS feature, iPhone offers several other emergency-related features and functionalities, including:
- Emergency Contacts: You can designate specific contacts as emergency contacts, who will receive a message when you activate the SOS feature.
- Medical ID: You can store vital medical information, such as allergies or medical conditions, in the Health app, which can be accessed by emergency responders.
- Emergency SOS via Satellite: With the release of iOS 16, iPhone users can now send emergency SOS messages via satellite, even when they’re outside of cellular or WiFi range.
Best Practices for Using the SOS Feature
To get the most out of the SOS feature on your iPhone, follow these best practices:
- Make sure your emergency contacts are up-to-date and accurate.
- Keep your iPhone’s location services enabled to ensure accurate location information is sent to emergency services.
- Use the SOS feature only in genuine emergency situations to avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SOS icon next to WiFi on your iPhone screen indicates that your device is in Emergency SOS mode, attempting to connect to a nearby cellular network or WiFi hotspot to send a distress signal to emergency services. By understanding the SOS feature and its functionality, you can use it effectively in emergency situations and stay safe. Remember to use the feature responsibly and only in genuine emergency situations to avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services.
What does SOS mean on iPhone next to WiFi?
The SOS symbol next to WiFi on an iPhone indicates that the Emergency SOS feature has been activated. This feature allows users to quickly call for emergency services, such as police, fire, or ambulance, by pressing and holding the side button and one of the volume buttons simultaneously.
When the Emergency SOS feature is activated, the iPhone will automatically call the local emergency number and send a text message to the user’s emergency contacts, if they have been set up. The SOS symbol will appear next to the WiFi icon in the status bar to indicate that the feature has been activated.
How do I turn off the SOS feature on my iPhone?
To turn off the Emergency SOS feature on an iPhone, go to Settings > Emergency SOS. Then, toggle off the switch next to “Call with Side Button” or “Call with Hold”. This will disable the feature and prevent the SOS symbol from appearing next to the WiFi icon.
Alternatively, users can also disable the feature by going to Settings > Emergency SOS and toggling off the switch next to “Auto Call”. This will prevent the iPhone from automatically calling emergency services when the side button and volume button are pressed.
What happens when I press the SOS button on my iPhone?
When the SOS button is pressed on an iPhone, the device will automatically call the local emergency number and send a text message to the user’s emergency contacts, if they have been set up. The call will be made using the iPhone’s cellular connection or WiFi calling, if available.
During the call, the iPhone will also send the user’s location to the emergency services, if location services are enabled. This can help emergency responders to quickly locate the user and provide assistance.
Can I customize the SOS feature on my iPhone?
Yes, users can customize the Emergency SOS feature on their iPhone by going to Settings > Emergency SOS. From here, users can toggle on or off the switch next to “Call with Side Button” or “Call with Hold” to change the way the feature is activated.
Users can also add emergency contacts by going to the Health app and tapping on “Medical ID”. From here, users can add emergency contacts and provide other important medical information that can be accessed by emergency responders.
Is the SOS feature available on all iPhone models?
The Emergency SOS feature is available on iPhone 8 and later models, including iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
However, the feature may not be available on older iPhone models, such as iPhone 7 and earlier. Users with older iPhone models can still call emergency services by dialing the local emergency number or using the “Emergency” option on the lock screen.
Can I use the SOS feature when my iPhone is in airplane mode?
Yes, the Emergency SOS feature can still be used when an iPhone is in airplane mode. However, the iPhone will need to be connected to a WiFi network in order to make the emergency call.
If the iPhone is not connected to a WiFi network, the SOS feature will not work. Users should ensure that they have a stable internet connection before attempting to use the SOS feature.
Will the SOS feature work internationally?
Yes, the Emergency SOS feature will work internationally, but it may not always call the local emergency number. When an iPhone is used in a foreign country, the SOS feature will call the emergency number for that country, but it may not always be the same as the local emergency number.
Users should be aware of the local emergency number for the country they are visiting and make sure that their iPhone is set up to use the correct emergency number.