Your Verizon phone is showing SOS because it currently cannot connect to Verizon’s cellular network, but it can still place emergency calls over any available carrier.

What “SOS” on Verizon Actually Means

  • On iPhone and many Android phones, “SOS” or “SOS only” means your device is not connected to your carrier’s network (Verizon), but it can still reach 911/emergency services through other available networks nearby.
  • This is usually a network/connectivity problem, not a sign that your phone is broken or hacked.

Why Verizon Is on SOS Today

  • On January 14, 2026, Verizon experienced a massive nationwide outage that left hundreds of thousands of users with no signal, and many phones got stuck in SOS mode.
  • Verizon has acknowledged an issue affecting wireless voice and data and says engineers are working to identify and fix the problem, but has not yet given a detailed cause.

Other Possible Reasons (If Not the Big Outage)

If this happens when there is no known major outage:

  • Weak or marginal coverage in your specific area, especially indoors or in rural spots.
  • Tower maintenance or local network work near you, which can temporarily cut your phone off from Verizon.
  • A SIM / eSIM problem or provisioning error on your line that makes the phone lose proper authentication with Verizon’s network.

What You Can Try Right Now

If you need to troubleshoot while Verizon sorts things out:

  1. Toggle Airplane Mode on for about 15 seconds, then turn it off to force a fresh network search.
  1. Restart your phone to clear temporary network glitches.
  1. Connect to Wi‑Fi and enable Wi‑Fi Calling (if available) so you can still call and text while the cellular network is shaky.
  1. If everyone around you on Verizon has normal service, contact Verizon support or visit a store to have them check your SIM/eSIM and account provisioning.

Is This a Big, Trending Issue?

  • Yes—“why is Verizon on SOS” and similar phrases are trending because so many people across the U.S. suddenly saw SOS on their phones during this outage.
  • Reports have surged on outage trackers and social platforms, with users in major cities like New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Seattle, and more saying their phones are stuck in SOS mode.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.