iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 with iOS beta shows SOS when no service is available.

[Executor]

While at the subway today I noticed that my iPhone 13 running the latest iOS beta shows “SOS” when there is no cell phone service available. Looks like Apple will have some sort of satellite SOS functionality in the near future. Anyone seen this ?

 

[Tooks2089]

While at the subway today I noticed that my iPhone 13 running the latest iOS beta shows “SOS” when there is no cell phone service available. Looks like Apple will have some sort of satellite SOS functionality in the near future. Anyone seen this ?

I havent seen it but yes it’s going to a feature or is a feature now with iOS 16

 

[BigBlur]

I see it all the time on my test device that doesn't have a SIM card (iPhone XS). The cellular status used to say 'No SIM' before, and was changed to 'SOS'. I took it to mean that it can still do emergency calls, which phones without SIM cards or an active cellular service can do. That's not exactly clear when it says 'No SIM'.

I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with satellite functionality...though if it does become a thing, I suppose they could also use this same status to indicate you have a connection to a satellite for emergency calls.

There may not be regular cell service in subways, but I do wonder if they have signals solely for emergency services?

Also, if you open the Control Center, it'll expand out to say 'SOS only'.

 

[Executor]

I’ve never seen it before so perhaps I jumped the gun, thanks for sharing. However, I am still hopeful that we will see some satellite connectivity next week. We shall see.

 

[OhMyMy]

In cases of No Service you’ll still be able to place emergency calls using whatever network’s available. It has been there for a few years now and the only thing changed is the SOS designation in iOS 16 which is less ambiguous and is designed to eliminate the exact confusion.