How to turn off SOS on your phone
Yes, you can turn off SOS on both iPhone and Android devices to stop accidental emergency calls. The exact steps differ by platform, but both involve navigating to your device's emergency settings and disabling the trigger methods that cause false alarms.
Why you might want to disable Emergency SOS
Accidental triggers are the most common reason people seek to turn off SOS. Pocket presses, especially on iPhones with the side-button hold gesture, can dial emergency services without your knowledge. False alarms to emergency services waste dispatcher time and resources, and they can create stressful situations when responders show up to a non-emergency. Some users also prefer not to share their location automatically, which Emergency SOS does when activated. If you carry your phone in a bag or tight pocket, or if you have children who grab your device, disabling the feature can give you peace of mind.
How to turn off SOS on an iPhone
On an iPhone, open the Settings app and tap Emergency SOS. You will see two toggles that control how the feature is activated. Turn off Call with Hold and Release to prevent calls when you hold the side button and a volume button together. Turn off Call with 5 Button Presses to prevent calls when you rapidly press the side button five times. Your phone will no longer place an emergency call from these gestures, though you can still manually call emergency services by dialing the local emergency number.
How to turn off emergency SOS on Android
Emergency SOS on Android is available on devices running Android 12 and later. On Android devices, open Settings and tap Safety & emergency, then tap Emergency SOS. Toggle off Use Emergency SOS to disable the feature entirely. This is the standard path on devices running Android 12 or later. On some Android devices, you can customize emergency contacts that are notified when SOS activates. However, note a critical limitation on Samsung Galaxy phones with recent software updates after June 2023: Samsung does not allow you to completely turn off automatic emergency dialing from the settings menu. The toggle may be grayed out or missing. A workaround involves entering a 'null number' as the emergency number so that even if the feature triggers, it cannot place a real call. This prevents accidental calls while keeping the feature technically enabled.
Other ways to prevent accidental SOS calls
If you do not want to fully disable Emergency SOS, you can use temporary modes that suppress it. Emergency SOS on both iPhone and Android does not work when Airplane Mode is enabled, so switching this on before putting your phone in a pocket or bag prevents accidental triggers. On Android, Emergency SOS also does not work when Battery Saver is on, so enabling it when you want to avoid accidental calls is a viable alternative. These methods are useful if you still want the feature available for genuine emergencies but want to avoid false alarms during specific activities like running, hiking, or carrying your phone in a pocket. Remember that Airplane Mode also disables regular calls and data, so use it only when you do not need to be reachable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I accidentally trigger SOS?
Stay calm and do not hang up if the call connects. Inform the dispatcher that it was a false alarm and provide your name and location if asked. If the call is still counting down, you can usually cancel it by tapping the Stop button or pressing the side button again before the call connects.
Can I partially disable SOS on my iPhone?
Yes, you can turn off only one trigger method while keeping the other active. For example, you can disable Call with Hold and Release but keep Call with 5 Button Presses enabled, or vice versa. This lets you keep a quick emergency option while reducing accidental triggers from one specific gesture.
Will disabling SOS affect my ability to call emergency services?
No. Disabling Emergency SOS only stops the automatic dialing shortcuts. You can still call emergency services manually by opening your phone's dialer and typing the local emergency number, which works on any phone with cellular service, even without a SIM card.
Does Do Not Disturb and Silent Mode prevent SOS activation?
No. Do Not Disturb and Silent Mode do not prevent Emergency SOS from activating, because the feature is designed to override sound and notification settings. The only ways to stop the automatic call are to disable the trigger gestures in settings, use Airplane Mode, or on Android, enable Battery Saver.
Can I remove SOS mode on iPhone entirely?
You cannot remove the Emergency SOS menu from your iPhone's settings, but you can turn off both activation toggles so the feature never triggers automatically. The menu remains in Settings, but with both toggles off, no button combination will place an emergency call.
