Accidentally triggering the SOS feature on your iPhone 12 can be a bit of a panic moment. But don’t worry, turning off the SOS on your iPhone 12 is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Once you’ve disabled the feature, you won’t have to worry about emergency services being contacted by mistake.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone 12
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that SOS is a safety feature designed to quickly connect you with emergency services. However, if you find that you’re triggering it unintentionally or you simply don’t want it enabled, here’s how you can turn it off.
Step 1: Open the Settings app
The first step is to locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.
The Settings app is where you’ll find most of the options to customize and control your iPhone’s features, including the SOS function.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS”
Once you’re in Settings, scroll down until you see the “Emergency SOS” option, then tap on it.
This will take you to the Emergency SOS settings, where you can adjust how the feature works or turn it off completely.
Step 3: Toggle off “Call with Side Button”
Under the Emergency SOS settings, you’ll see an option labeled “Call with Side Button.” Toggle this option off.
By turning off this option, you’ll disable the feature that automatically calls emergency services when the side button is pressed multiple times.
Step 4: Toggle off “Auto Call”
If you want to completely disable SOS, you’ll also need to toggle off the “Auto Call” option.
With “Auto Call” disabled, your iPhone 12 won’t automatically contact emergency services even if the SOS countdown has started. This adds an extra layer of prevention against accidental SOS activation.
After completing the above steps, the SOS feature on your iPhone 12 will be turned off, meaning it won’t automatically call emergency services. However, you can still make emergency calls manually by dialing the emergency number.
Tips: How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone 12
- Double-check that you’ve toggled off both “Call with Side Button” and “Auto Call” to completely disable SOS.
- Remember that disabling SOS means you won’t have the quick-access feature in an actual emergency, so weigh the pros and cons before turning it off.
- If you frequently trigger SOS accidentally, consider changing the way you hold or store your iPhone 12 to avoid pressing the side button unintentionally.
- You can still call emergency services manually by opening the Phone app and dialing the number.
- Reconsider keeping SOS enabled if you engage in activities where having quick access to emergency services could be beneficial, such as hiking or traveling alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emergency SOS feature on the iPhone 12?
Emergency SOS is a safety feature that allows users to quickly call emergency services by pressing the side button multiple times.
Can I still call emergency services if I turn off SOS on my iPhone 12?
Yes, you can still make emergency calls manually by dialing the emergency number in the Phone app.
Will turning off SOS on my iPhone 12 affect other emergency features?
No, other emergency features like Medical ID and Emergency Contacts will still be accessible even with SOS turned off.
Is it possible to turn SOS back on after disabling it?
Yes, you can re-enable SOS at any time by going back into the Settings app and toggling on the “Call with Side Button” and “Auto Call” options.
Can I customize how SOS is triggered on my iPhone 12?
Yes, you can adjust the settings for SOS, like whether it requires holding the side button or pressing it multiple times, within the Emergency SOS settings in the Settings app.
Summary
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.
- Scroll down and tap on “Emergency SOS.”
- Toggle off “Call with Side Button.”
- Toggle off “Auto Call.”
Conclusion
Understanding how to manage the SOS feature on your iPhone 12 is crucial, especially if you find yourself accidentally triggering it. Now that you know the simple steps to turn off SOS, you can have peace of mind that emergency services won’t be contacted unintentionally. However, always remember that the SOS feature is there for your safety. Before you disable it, consider whether it’s truly unnecessary for your lifestyle or if there might be situations where having quick access to emergency services could be a lifesaver. If you ever find yourself in an emergency, knowing how to quickly turn SOS back on could make all the difference. So, take a moment to familiarize yourself with your iPhone’s safety features—you never know when you might need them.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.