If your iPhone 16 keeps triggering SOS by accident, or you just want to stop emergency calls from launching when you press buttons the wrong way, you are not alone. The iPhone 16 has built-in safety features that are useful in a real emergency, but they can also be easy to activate by mistake, especially in a pocket, bag, or while adjusting settings.
The good news is that turning off SOS-related triggers on iPhone 16 is quick and simple. In most cases, you are not fully disabling emergency support, but instead turning off the automatic call shortcuts that cause accidental alerts. This guide walks you through exactly where to find the settings, what each option does, and what to do if you still want emergency access without the accidental calls.
Quick Summary
If you just want the answer fast:
- Open Settings
- Tap Emergency SOS
- Turn off the SOS options you do not want, such as Call with Hold and Release, Call with 5 Presses, or Call After Severe Crash
- Check Raise to Call if accidental emergency calls are happening through other apps or gestures
Tutorial – How to Turn Off SOS on iPhone 16
The steps below will help you stop your iPhone 16 from accidentally starting an emergency call while keeping the phone usable and safe. You can disable the specific SOS triggers that fit your situation, instead of changing more settings than you need.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone 16
Start by unlocking your iPhone 16 and tapping Settings from the Home Screen or App Library.
Once inside Settings, you should see the main menu with options like General, Notifications, and Emergency SOS. If you do not see it right away, use the search bar at the top of Settings and type “Emergency SOS.”
Step 2: Tap Emergency SOS
In the Settings list, scroll until you find Emergency SOS, then tap it.
This screen controls the features that can trigger emergency calls on your iPhone. On an iPhone 16, Apple may show several options here, depending on your region and iOS version.
Step 3: Turn off the SOS trigger you do not want
On the Emergency SOS screen, switch off the setting that is causing the problem, such as Call with Hold and Release or Call with 5 Presses.
When you turn one of these off, your iPhone will stop using that shortcut to launch an emergency call. You may still see other safety features on the page, and that is normal. If you only want to prevent accidental calls, this is usually the most important step.
Step 4: Review Call After Severe Crash if needed
If your concern is emergency calls after a crash detection event, look for Call After Severe Crash and turn it off if you do not want your iPhone to automatically call emergency services after a serious accident.
This feature is designed for real emergencies, so disabling it should be done carefully. If you drive often or want the phone to help in a true crash, you may want to leave it on.
Step 5: Test the phone carefully
After changing your settings, press the Side button and volume buttons normally to make sure the iPhone no longer starts SOS by accident.
You should no longer see the emergency countdown or accidental emergency call screen when using the button combo you disabled. If the feature still appears, go back to Emergency SOS and check whether another SOS option is still enabled.
Alternative Methods and Edge Cases
Depending on what you mean by “turn off SOS,” you may need a slightly different fix.
If you only want to stop accidental calls, not all emergency features:
Disable Call with Hold and Release or Call with 5 Presses, but leave the rest of the emergency settings on.If SOS is triggering from the side button in your pocket:
Turn off Call with Hold and Release first. This is one of the most common reasons people accidentally activate SOS.If you are trying to stop crash-related emergency calls:
Disable Call After Severe Crash. This is separate from the button shortcuts.If your iPhone menu looks different:
Apple sometimes changes labels with iOS updates. Use the Settings search bar and type Emergency SOS to find the right page.If you want to disable alerts, not emergency calling:
That is a different issue. You may need to adjust Notifications, Focus, or app-specific alert settings instead of Emergency SOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off SOS delete my emergency contacts?
No. Turning off SOS triggers does not erase your emergency contacts. It only changes how the emergency call feature is activated.
Can I fully disable Emergency SOS on iPhone 16?
Not completely in the way you might disable a normal app. Apple keeps emergency access built in for safety. What you can do is turn off specific activation methods, like button presses or hold-to-call behavior.
Why does SOS keep turning on by accident?
The most common cause is the Side button and volume button combination being pressed too long, or the phone being squeezed in a pocket or bag. Another cause is the Call with Hold and Release setting being enabled.
Will my iPhone still work normally if I turn off SOS settings?
Yes. Disabling these options only changes how emergency calling starts. Your iPhone 16 will still work normally for calls, messages, apps, and all other functions.
How do I turn SOS back on later?
Go back to Settings > Emergency SOS and switch the options back on. You can re-enable the shortcuts anytime.
Does this affect crash detection?
Only if you turn off Call After Severe Crash. If you leave that setting on, crash-related emergency calling should still work.
Tips
Leave at least one emergency method enabled if possible.
Emergency features exist for a reason, so if you only have accidental triggers, it is better to disable the specific shortcut rather than everything.Use the Settings search bar if you cannot find Emergency SOS.
Search is faster than scrolling, especially after iOS updates.- Check your case or screen protector.
A tight case can make button presses more likely, which can accidentally trigger SOS. Know the difference between SOS and notifications.
If you are getting repeated alerts, the issue may be a notification setting, not Emergency SOS.If you share your iPhone, explain the change to others.
Family members or coworkers may expect the same button behavior and could be confused if SOS shortcuts are turned off.
Troubleshooting
The SOS screen still appears after I changed the setting.
Go back to Settings > Emergency SOS and confirm every relevant shortcut is turned off. Sometimes one option remains enabled.I cannot find the Emergency SOS menu.
Use the Settings search bar and type Emergency SOS. If needed, update iOS because menu placement can shift slightly between versions.My iPhone still calls emergency services when I press buttons.
Make sure Call with 5 Presses and Call with Hold and Release are both disabled. If one is on, the behavior can continue.The phone is acting like crash detection is the problem.
Check Call After Severe Crash separately. That setting is independent from the button-based SOS options.I turned off SOS, but I still want safety protection.
Keep Medical ID and emergency contacts set up. That gives you a safer middle ground, with fewer accidental triggers.
Conclusion
Turning off SOS on an iPhone 16 is usually just a matter of opening Settings, going to Emergency SOS, and disabling the specific trigger that is bothering you. For most people, that means stopping the accidental button-based emergency call without losing normal phone use.
If the feature is still acting up, double-check the related settings and look at crash detection separately. Once you know which SOS option is enabled, the fix is straightforward and fast.
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.