My iPhone drops service and goes into SOS mode frequently

Same exact issue. I believe it is a IOS/device issue with Apple. I have been through 2 iPhone 15 Pros due to this issue, VZW sent me a replacement phone, however it didn't solve the issue. They continually try to have me reset network settings/ delete reactivate esim but still no working solution. Don't try to work with customer service on problem solving because they just give you the classic credit of 15$ and send you on your way.

Apple needs to address with software updates is my best guess. You are not alone!

It’s definitely a Verizon issue. I had the same trouble. iPhone 15 Pro Max in Chicago. My phone would drift to SOS while traveling - almost like it’s an issue with the phone handing off between towers (maybe between 5G and 5GUW). It got so annoying, I switched to T-Mobile and absolutely no issue with drifting to SOS.

I've been having a problem with my iPhone sincetember 2023. The issue seems to occur when the phone switches cell towers during heavy data usage on the 5G network, such as during a Facetime call. When this happens, the phone's modem becomes unresponsive and takes a few minutes to start working again. I believe that this is a problem on Apple's side, I got it in Sep either with their software or hardware. Recently, I tried using dual SIM mode with two different carriers, T-Mobile and Verizon, and both lines went into SOS mode. When the phone is in SOS mode, the WiFi module also becomes unresponsive. During this time, I'm unable to connect to WiFi and have to toggle airplane mode on and off to restore the network faster.

I'm having this issue too, even when walking my dog around the neighborhood. I'm also in Chicago. I believe this issue may be isolated to iPhone 15 users on the Verizon/Xfinity network. It may also be specific to Chicago, as I've only seen these complaints come from Chicago users.

Last year, my husband and I had Verizon with iPhone 12's. No issues for years. End of year, we both switched to Xfinity (which uses Verizon's network). I upgraded to the 15, and my husband kept his old phone. I'm having the sos issue and he is not.

This would make me think it is an iPhone issue and not a network issue, however, I have only seen these complaints come from other Verizon users in Chicago--so I think more specifically, it is a compatibility issue between iPhone 15 and Verizon's Chicago network.

If you're having this issue and you live somewhere other than Chicago, can you please chime in?

Also, has anyone had this issue with AT&T or T-mobile?

Me and my wife recently started having this issue. I have 15 iphone pro max and my wife 13 pro. Tried with VZN customer care without any luck, then did all kids of resets including factory reset and restored phones. Problem is not solved, repeatedly having the same issue, phone works fine for random number of hours/ days, and then goes back to SOS mode. I even visited VZN store and spent a couple of $50 per each (me and my wife) to reset/ add new eSIM too with the same number, but no luck.

Then I asked the same question in menu of my friends groups, some of them mentioned the same issue irrespective of cellphone provider.

One more IMP point mentioned by VZN store person that, many people came to store with same issue, some of them could not even solve the issue after eSIM conversion from physical SIM, including my wife 13 pro phone.

All these issues are pointing to iPhone firmware or software?, not sure if we are slowly losing the credibility on these iOS devices?

Hope iPhone manufacturers might be looking at this issue to solve ASAP. Otherwise we might need to try switching to other device other than iOS devices.

I'm having the same issue with Visible/Verizon - also in Chicago. It's when using the phone's data and then the iPhone 15 Pro Max will just drop to SOS mode - data drops - and then 10-20 seconds later the service comes back. It's while traveling - and it does almost seem like it's a handoff issue between towers. I'm wondering if it's an issue with the 5GUW and then trying to switch to another tower without UW. It's really annoying. I'm thinking of switching but not sure if it's just a Visible/Verizon issue -- or all carriers.

I just took my 15 Pro to the Michigan Avenue Apple Store yesterday (3/25/24) for this exact issue. It’s been a problem since day one of owning this phone. I’m generally on developer betas, so I initially chalked it up to that. I switched to the standard iOS 17.4.1, and the issue was still happening, so I took it in.

The Genius Bar employee that helped me said he’d never heard of it. I had done all of the advised solutions - reset phone, reset network, reset eSIM, etc. The diagnostic test they ran showed the only issue was “low signal strength”. They sent my phone off, but I’m sure they will find nothing. I purchased directly from Apple, so I want them to replace it, but I’m not sure that will happen or fix the issue.

Rogers park chicago here and I have art. I get same issue of cellular switching back and forth with sos. But it happens to me when I get an app stalling or freezing then followed by a screen scrash and the status circle spinning on a black screen. Then after anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds the screen works again and is on the lock page. However at the top of the lock page and when I reopen the phone, there is some kind of network resetting going as the three dots show up in the right hand corner, then sos, then slowly cellular signal.

Dropping into this thread late, but found it while looking up a solution for the same problem. I got my 15 Pro thru Verizon a few days or so before the big AT&T outage. When I first started experiencing this problem, I chalked it up to a coincidence with the natl outage. But I have continued to experience it, usually when I am in a vehicle or out on a run. It seems it is happening more frequently now too, multiple times a day, multiple times back to back. At random times while moving, service will switch from usually 4 Bar LTE / 5G to SOS for between 15 - 30 seconds then reset right back to its original service status. I’ll add that I am in Louisville KY. Getting really frustrated at this because it was never a problem until I upgraded to the 15 Pro.

Also frequently on SoS and I have AT&T. Have internet chatted with AT&T multiple times. Reset network. Reset the whole phone. Phone will behave for a few days and then go back to sos. Restarted my phone probably 300 times in the last 2 weeks. Will make apple appointment and then within 12 hours it will fix itself so I cancel. At my wits end. And not reassured that it’s either an apple or network problem as so many of you have had no luck with either fix.

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I’m having the same issue in Michigan but the iPhone, 15 and Verizon service. I have other Apple phones that are earlier models of the same Verizon account and they’re not having this issue. None of the fixes I have seen her helping me reestablish my connection.

Definitely not just in Chicago. I am in Central Louisiana and I am having this same exact issue except it has been in SOS for hours and my husbands has been in SOS for much longer and we have factory reset mine which didn’t work, reactivated both esims, turned airplane mode on and off a dozen times and it will pop up signal for a little while then bam back to SOS. Idk what the issue is but surely there will be a resolution soon because customer service and our AT&T carrier and Apple are no help right now!

I have Xfinity, and am having the same issue. I’m in Chicago too. I had an iPhone 12, it said “no SIM card”. Called customer service and spent up to 6 hours with different agents. Reset the phone back to set up, still on sos. They sent me 2 SIM cards and even tried eSIM, nothing.

I Went into store they couldn’t get it to work either. Ended up buying a iPhone 15 pro, didn’t want to, since the phone was paid off. I’ve had the phone for a month, twice I’ve gotten the sos on my phone, yet I still have internet service. I’m up to date on the software.

mom about 10 feet from my modem. My Mom has Tracfone iPhoneXR and has never had a problem.

Now what?!

This has been a recent issue for me in the last 2+ months. Have iPhone 15 under Xfinity service in Delaware. My phone tends to randomly switch to SOS mode in tough signal areas where I work in MD, but it never comes back offline to the normal cell network unless i restart the phone. Must be Apple iPhone issue.

I am having the same exact issues with my iPhone 15. My partner has an iPhone 12, we have the same cellular service, Verizon, and her cell phone doesn't have the same issues I am experiencing. I used to think it was a Verizon issue but is a software issue with Apple.