My iPhone 13 keeps triggering the SOS feature accidentally and it’s really annoying. I’m not sure how to turn it off or prevent it from happening. Has anyone else dealt with this? I need to know how to disable it. Thanks!
If your iPhone 13 keeps triggering the SOS feature accidentally, it can be quite a hassle. The Emergency SOS feature is designed for quick access in case of an emergency, but if it’s causing you more grief than peace of mind, here’s how to disable it or adjust the settings to prevent accidental triggers.
To stop this feature from being activated accidentally, you might want to adjust the settings for the SOS mode. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Open Settings: Tap on the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Scroll and Select Emergency SOS: Scroll down and look for the Emergency SOS option and tap on it.
- Turn Off Auto Call: You might find two options here, “Call with Side Button” and “Auto Call.” You can disable the Auto Call feature. This means your iPhone will prevent a call from being made automatically when the side button is pressed quickly multiple times.
- Disable “Call with Side Button”: If the issue occurs due to the side button accidentally being pressed multiple times, you can disable this option too. Toggle off “Call with Side Button.”
This way, your phone will no longer initiate an emergency call just from pressing the side button rapidly. Some users also had issues when they would accidentally press the side button and volume button together, and this would trigger the SOS. To avoid this, you should:
- Turn Off Call with Hold: In the same Emergency SOS settings, you will see an option “Call with Hold and Release.” Turning this off can help if you’re accidentally holding down these buttons.
Alternatively, if you still want to keep the SOS feature but prevent accidental calls, you can use the SOS via the slider instead of button presses. Make sure only “Call with Slider” is turned on in the Emergency SOS settings so that it only activates when you actively use the slider.
If the SOS was triggered unintentionally, finishing the call and speaking with the emergency services is crucial to explain the misunderstanding. After that, exit the call normally.
Additionally, if your phone tends to do this while it’s in a back pocket or a cluttered bag, you might want to consider a more secure carrying solution to prevent the physical buttons from being pressed unexpectedly.
For those who want the feature intact but less susceptible to accidental activation, a good practice is to:
- Educate yourself on the exact button sequence that triggers the emergency call and try to get used to alternate functions for those buttons.
- Use a case that might add a slight point of resistance to pressing the buttons.
If needed, here’s another useful troubleshooting tip if it becomes persistent:
- Restart your iPhone: Sometimes a simple restart can reset any settings anomalies or UI glitches that might inadvertently trigger the SOS mode.
- Check for Updates: Go to Settings → General → Software Update to ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. Sometimes there are bug fixes and patches for these kinds of issues.
Want to ensure you remember these steps? Use the “Notes” app or even a straightforward reminder in your phone. Your devices can serve as a practical repository for useful troubleshooting guides.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that external elements like dirt or protective films around the buttons should be checked. These elements can occasionally create unintended pressures leading to these accidental triggers. If you use a screen protector and case, ensure they are fit properly without encroaching onto the side or volume buttons.
Hope this helps, and may your iPhone usage be a bit smoother going forward.
You could go through all that hassle that @byteguru mentioned, but seriously, Apple should have made this feature less sensitive in the first place. Their constant need to make everything ‘user-friendly’ sometimes results in the opposite. You shouldn’t have to dive into settings to prevent your phone from making random emergency calls like a paranoid uncle.
If you really want to keep using the SOS feature without these accidental calls, consider getting one of those slightly bulkier phone cases that don’t let you press the buttons too easily. It might look clunkier, but hey, fewer accidental calls.
Also, maybe try enabling “Do Not Disturb” frequently. It’s not exactly solving the problem, but it can mask some annoyance. Or you can just keep your iPhone 13 in a different pocket or bag compartment, where it’s less likely to be squished against something.
Another suggestion might be looking at alternatives like an Android. They’re not perfect but might offer better customization on features like this. Always good to keep your options open.
You know, the SOS feature on the iPhone 13 can be a mixed bag. While it’s meant to be a lifesaver (literally), it can quickly turn into an annoyance if it keeps getting triggered unintentionally. Here’s my two cents on how to deal with it, considering what others have mentioned.
Instead of perpetually diving into the settings like some tech-chomping beaver, you could be more pragmatic about it. Adjusting settings as @techchizkid and @byteguru have suggested works, but go a step further:
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Re-assess Device Handling: If you’re habitually pressing those buttons, maybe hold the phone differently or keep it in a less button-aggressive pocket or bag.
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Consider a Case with Button Covers: This case can make those buttons slightly harder to press, which reduces the chances of accidental activation. Think of it as a physical buffer rather than fiddling endlessly with setting toggles.
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Manual Activation: Enable only “Call with Slider” as a halfway compromise. You still have emergency access without having to worry about butt dials to 911.
Sheesh, the SOS feature is there for emergencies, but sometimes these tech companies go overboard with the ‘ease of access.’ It doesn’t have to be this hard to keep a feature from misfiring. Realistically, feature adjustments should be more intuitive and not require users to jump through hoops.
If I’m being blunt, they should just give the darn thing a sensitivity setting! Until then, being cautious about where and how you store your iPhone can help a lot. And as mentioned by others, perhaps it’s worth trying out an Android if you feel Apple’s way of forcing these “user-friendly” features on you is too much hassle. Android often has more nuanced customization options, so if you’re constantly frustrated by this, it might be worth exploring.
Again, if nothing else works, hey, at least it gets you an excuse for a new case. Keep tinkering and find what works best for you without going overboard into tech paranoia territory.