Is there a way to fix iPhone stuck in SOS mode?

While command line fixes aren't the most common solution, there are some command line tools you can use to try to fix an iPhone stuck in SOS mode, especially if a regular restart or reset doesn't work. Command line fixes require you to install some software, such as libimobiledevice, an open source tool that lets you interact with your iPhone through the command line.

Here's how it works:

First, you'll need to install libimobiledevice through Homebrew:

brew install libimobiledevice

Once installed, you can check the status of your device to see if it's stuck in SOS mode with the command:

ideviceinfo

If everything looks fine, but your iPhone is stuck in SOS mode, try restarting the device:

idevicerestart

You may be able to get your iPhone out of SOS mode and back to normal with this method. Of course, command line fixes are a bit more complicated and are meant for users with a technical background. If you're not familiar with command line operations, you may find it more convenient to choose another method.

In the Apple Support App, select “Appointment” → select “Expert Remote Support” to describe the problem and provide a diagnostic report. Apple engineers can guide you into Recovery Mode via screen sharing (data backup is required in advance) to further check whether system files are corrupted. Here is another possible solution to fix iPhone stuck in SOS mode.

If the diagnostic report indicates that the problem is related to the iOS version (e.g., known SOS anomalies in iOS 17.6), you can ask for a beta version of iOS to be pushed out (Apple Beta Software Program enrollment required). Sample commands (technical users only):

sudo rm -rf /Library/Caches/com.apple.mobileAssetDesktop/AssetCache.db
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Tips

1. Diagnostic tool permission issues: If prompted “This tool requires all security settings to be turned off”, go to “Settings” → “General” → “VPN & Device Management” to turn off all VPN and app management tools.

2. Physical manifestation of hardware failure: Battery bulge on the main board: Tap the back of the phone, if you hear an obvious hollow sound, it may be that the battery is expanding and squeezing the circuit board, resulting in an abnormal SOS function.

3. Traces of water ingress: check the charging port and SIM card slot for white crystals (lithium oxide), which need to be sent for immediate repair to prevent increased corrosion.

If you cannot access the Apple Support App, you can perform the same test remotely by logging into the official Apple diagnostic page from a Mac computer to solve iPhone stuck at SOS screen.

If none of the above works, you might need to restore your iPhone through recovery mode. Here’s how to fix iPhone stuck in SOS mode:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes (or Finder if you're using macOS Catalina or later).
3. Put your iPhone into recovery mode:

• Quickly press and release Volume Up.
• Quickly press and release Volume Down.
• Press and hold the Side Button until you see the recovery mode screen.

    4. On your computer, you should see a prompt to Restore or Update your iPhone. Choose Restore and     follow  the prompts.

Note: In this way to fix iPhone stuck in SOS mode. This will erase all data on your iPhone, so use this as a last resort unless you have a backup. 

If you're still experiencing the issue after trying all these steps, it may be a hardware problem. In that case, your best bet is to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They’ll be able to help diagnose the problem and offer solutions.

Additional Tips:

• Make sure the SIM card is seated properly and hasn’t come loose.
• If the phone feels excessively hot, let it cool down before trying to restart it.
• Avoid using apps that drain battery significantly if you feel your phone may be struggling with performance.

If your iPhone is stuck in SOS mode, restoring network settings can be a simple and effective solution. The good thing about this method is that it won't delete your data, but it will reset all network-related settings, including Wi-Fi passwords, VPNs, and Bluetooth pairing information. So, if your problem is related to network connectivity, restoring network settings will usually solve most problems.

1. Open Settings, then go to General.
2. Scroll to the bottom and select Reset.
3. Select Erase All Content and Settings.
4. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password, and once you confirm the action, the restore will begin.

Note: Make sure you have backed up your data beforehand to prevent data loss.

After the restore, your phone should be back from SOS mode and function normally.

The SOS function of the iOS system involves multiple underlying components, if the forced restart and basic repair are ineffective, it may be a hardware-level failure or a conflict in the underlying logic of the system. Through Apple's official diagnostic tools can directly scan these modules and generate professional reports for engineers to analyze. This is one of the best solutions if iPhone stuck in SOS mode. Below are the steps to get it fixed.

Step 1: Prepare the environment 

Ensure iPhone battery ≥50% (low battery may interrupt diagnosis). Close all background apps, exit iCloud and Find My iPhone function (to avoid interfering with diagnosis). Remove the case and make sure the SOS physical buttons are not blocked (in some cases deformation of the case can cause the buttons to stick and be mistakenly touched).

Step 2: Download and run the official diagnostic tool 

Open the Apple Support App → Sign in to your Apple ID → Click on “Support” at the bottom → Select “My Device” Go to “Get Support”. Go to “Get Support” → Enter the problem description (e.g. “SOS screen is stuck”) → Click “Self Service & Repair”. Click “Self Service & Repair”. Download the “Apple Official Diagnostic Tool” (file name similar to Diagnostics_2.0.1.dmg), double-click to install and open it.

Step 3: Perform Full Hardware Test

Select the following test modules in order according to the tool interface. Record the error codes (e.g. ERR_0x1234) in the test results and save the screenshots for subsequent inquiries.

Step 4: Generate and submit the report 

After completing the test, the tool will automatically generate a diagnostic report in PDF format, including a summary of the hardware status. Go back to Apple Support App → Find the report in “My Device” → “Diagnostic History” → Click “Share Report” to send it to Apple's official email address (or online customer service). Send the report to Apple's official email address (or online customer service).

Follow the steps above to fix iPhone stuck at SOS screen!

Getting your iPhone stuck in SOS mode can be pretty frustrating, especially when you can’t seem to get out of it! Here are some steps you can try to help free your iPhone from SOS mode:

1. Force Restart Your iPhone:
This is usually the first step for resolving many issues. Here’s how to do it on your iPhone 15 Pro:

• Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
• Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side Button until you see the Apple logo. It might take a bit longer than usual since you're in SOS mode, but keep holding it until the logo appears.

2. Check for Software Updates:
If you manage to get your iPhone restarted, check for any software updates. Sometimes, bugs in the system can cause strange issues, and an update could fix that.

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure you have the latest version of iOS.

3. Reset Network Settings:
If your iPhone stuck in SOS mode, resetting the network settings might help, especially if the SOS issue is related to connectivity:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Remember, this will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, so you’ll need to reconnect to your networks.