If you want to stop an accidental emergency-call shortcut on iPhone 14, open Settings > Emergency SOS and adjust the specific shortcut involved. If you mean the word SOS beside the cellular indicator, that is a network-service issue; changing Emergency SOS switches will not fix it.
- Open Settings > Emergency SOS.
- Review Call with Hold and Release, which uses the side and volume buttons.
- Review Call with 5 Button Presses or the similarly named five-press option shown in your iOS version.
- Turn off only the shortcut you intend to disable.
Disabling a shortcut removes that way of automatically starting an emergency call. It does not remove all emergency calling from the iPhone. Check for a case pressing the buttons and avoid testing the setting by placing a real emergency call.
Crash Detection is separate
On iPhone 14, Call After Severe Crash is a separate Emergency SOS setting. Turning it off disables Apple’s alerts and automatic emergency calls after a detected severe car crash. It does not simply silence a nuisance sound or switch off every motion sensor.
Consider that loss of automatic assistance before changing it. You do not need to disable Crash Detection merely to change the five-button shortcut or address poor cellular service.
If the status bar says SOS or SOS only
This means the phone is not connected to its own cellular network, although emergency calling through another carrier may be available. Check coverage and carrier outages, restart the phone, and contact your carrier if service does not return; the full sequence is in our guide to getting an iPhone 15 out of SOS mode. Do not turn off emergency features to remove this indicator.
What Each Emergency SOS Setting Does
- Call with Hold and Release: Pressing and holding the side button and either volume button starts a countdown and an alarm. Releasing the buttons when the countdown ends calls emergency services.
- Call with 5 Button Presses: Pressing the side button five times quickly starts the same countdown. This is the setting most often triggered by accident in a pocket or tight case.
- Call Quietly: Silences the warning alarm and flashes during the countdown, which matters if you need to call without being noticed.
- Call After Severe Crash: Lets the iPhone call emergency services automatically after it detects a severe car crash.
- Emergency Contacts: People who get a text with your location after an emergency call. You set them up in your Medical ID in the Health app.
How to Cancel an SOS Countdown
If the countdown starts by mistake, let go of the buttons before it finishes, or tap the Stop button on screen and confirm that you want to stop calling. If the phone has already placed the call, don’t simply hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher it was an accident.
After Emergency SOS starts, your iPhone also turns off Face ID until you enter your passcode. That’s expected, and entering the passcode once turns Face ID back on.
Stop Accidental SOS Calls
If accidental calls keep happening, look at what’s pressing the buttons. Tight cases, cases with stiff button covers, and carrying the phone in a back pocket are common causes. Turning off Call with 5 Button Presses usually stops pocket calls while keeping Call with Hold and Release available for a real emergency.
Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhone 14
iPhone 14 models can text emergency services by satellite in supported countries when there’s no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. This is separate from the button shortcuts above, and it only works when you start an emergency call or text with no coverage. You can try it without contacting anyone by going to Settings > Emergency SOS and tapping Try Demo under Emergency SOS via Satellite.
If you accidentally reach emergency services
Stay on the line and explain that the call was accidental, then follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Ending a countdown before it calls is different from hanging up on an already connected emergency call.
Restore a shortcut later
Return to Settings > Emergency SOS and enable the option again. Review the settings deliberately rather than turning everything off at once. Medical ID, emergency contacts and satellite emergency features have their own requirements and controls.
Apple explains Emergency SOS shortcuts, Crash Detection, and the SOS cellular status indicator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off Emergency SOS completely?
You can turn off the button shortcuts and Crash Detection, but you can’t remove emergency calling from the iPhone. You can always dial your local emergency number manually.
Why does my iPhone 14 say SOS instead of showing bars?
That’s a cellular status message, not the Emergency SOS feature. Your phone isn’t connected to your carrier, but emergency calls may still work through another network. Restart the phone, check for a carrier outage, and reseat the SIM or check your eSIM.
Will turning off SOS shortcuts affect Find My or Medical ID?
No. Find My, Medical ID, and emergency contacts keep working. Your contacts just won’t be notified automatically unless an emergency call is made.
Related: what the lock icon at the top of an iPhone screen means.
Related: how to turn on data roaming on iPhone 14.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.