3 Easy Ways to Disable Emergency Calls Only Mode

Imagine being stranded on the side of a desolate road, your car sputtering to a halt. As darkness envelops you, fear gnaws at your mind. You reach for your phone, but your worst nightmare unfolds – it’s dead. Panic surges through your veins as you desperately try to flag down passing cars, but to no avail. Time seems to slow to a crawl as you realize the gravity of your situation. Alone, vulnerable, and without any means of communication, you’re left at the mercy of the unknown. The thought of spending the night stranded, exposed to the elements and potential danger, sends shivers down your spine.

Fortunately, if you’re reading this, disaster has been averted. Your phone is not actually dead, but rather trapped in a state of emergency calls only. This enigmatic setting, while intended to ensure your safety in certain situations, can inadvertently become a source of frustration and inconvenience. Whether you stumbled upon this mode accidentally or it was activated by a mischievous child, learning how to disable emergency calls only is paramount. Don’t let a minor technicality leave you stranded in the wilderness – empower yourself with the knowledge to restore your phone’s full functionality in a matter of seconds.

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of deactivating emergency calls only, let’s briefly touch upon how this mode came to be in the first place. In 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandated that all mobile phones sold in the United States include the ability to make emergency calls, even if the phone is locked or has no service. This feature was designed to ensure that individuals can always reach emergency services, regardless of their circumstances. However, this well-intentioned regulation can sometimes lead to unintended consequences, such as accidental activation of emergency calls only mode.

Disable Emergency Calls Only Mode on an iPhone

Turn Off Emergency Calls Only Mode on an iPhone with Face ID

1. If you can access your iPhone, follow these steps:

Press and hold the Side button until the “slide to power off” slider appears.
Drag the slider to power off your iPhone.
Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.
Enter your passcode when prompted.
Your iPhone will now be unlocked and you should be able to access your apps and features, including Emergency Calls Only mode.

Turn Off Emergency Calls Only Mode on an iPhone with Touch ID

2. If you have an iPhone with Touch ID, follow these steps:

Press the Home button and hold it until the “slide to unlock” slider appears.
Drag the slider to unlock your iPhone.
Your iPhone will now be unlocked and you should be able to access your apps and features, including Emergency Calls Only mode.

Disable Emergency Calls Only Mode from Control Center

3. You can also disable Emergency Calls Only mode from the Control Center:

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center.
Tap the “Emergency Calls Only” button to disable it.
Your iPhone will now be able to make and receive regular calls.

Deactivate Emergency Calls Only on an Android Device

If your Android device is stuck in Emergency Calls Only mode, you can deactivate it by following these steps:

1. Check Your Network Connection

Make sure your device has a strong cellular or Wi-Fi connection. If your signal is weak, it can cause your device to go into Emergency Calls Only mode.

2. Restart Your Device

Restarting your device can clear any temporary glitches that may be causing the Emergency Calls Only mode. To restart your device, press and hold the power button, then select “Restart” from the menu that appears.

If restarting your device doesn’t work, you can try performing a factory reset. However, this will erase all data from your device, so be sure to back up your important files before proceeding.

Operating System	Steps to Deactivate Emergency Calls Only
Android 11 and above	1. Go to “Settings”. 2. Tap on “Network & internet”. 3. Select “Mobile network”. 4. Tap on “Advanced” and then “Emergency alerts”. 5. Toggle off the “Emergency calls only” option.
Android 10 and below	1. Go to “Settings”. 2. Tap on “Wireless & networks”. 3. Select “Mobile network”. 4. Tap on “Network mode” and then select “Automatic”.

Turn Off Emergency Calls Only Mode on a Samsung Phone

If your Samsung phone is stuck in Emergency Calls Only mode, you won’t be able to make or receive regular calls, text messages, or use data. Here’s how to turn off Emergency Calls Only mode on a Samsung phone:

1. Check Airplane Mode

Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off. When Airplane Mode is on, all wireless connections, including cellular and Wi-Fi, are disabled. This can prevent you from making or receiving calls or using data.

2. Restart Your Phone

Restarting your phone can sometimes fix software glitches that may be causing the Emergency Calls Only mode to stay on. To restart your phone, press and hold the Power button and then tap Restart.

3. Reset Network Settings

If the above steps didn’t work, you can try resetting your network settings. This will erase all Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth connections, and other network settings.

Open the Settings app.
Tap General management.
Tap Reset.
Tap Reset network settings.
Tap Reset settings.

After your network settings have been reset, restart your phone and try making a call or sending a text message.

Factory Reset	This will erase all data from your phone, including your apps, photos, and contacts. Only do this if you have backed up your data.

Disable Airplane Mode to Restore Emergency Calls

If your phone is in Airplane Mode, it will not be able to make or receive calls, including emergency calls. To disable Airplane Mode and restore the ability to make emergency calls, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on the Network & internet section.
Tap on the Airplane Mode toggle to turn it off.
You should now be able to make and receive emergency calls.

If you are still unable to make emergency calls, there may be a problem with your phone’s network connection. Try moving to a different location or contacting your service provider for assistance.

Here is a table summarizing the steps to disable Airplane Mode:

Step	Action
1	Open the Settings app.
2	Tap on the Network & internet section.
3	Tap on the Airplane Mode toggle to turn it off.

Contact Your Carrier to Disable Emergency Calls Only Lock

If you have an Android phone and you’re unable to make any calls other than emergency calls, your phone may be in Emergency Calls Only mode. This mode is designed to help you make emergency calls even if you don’t have any service. However, it can be frustrating if you’re trying to make a regular call.

To disable Emergency Calls Only mode, you’ll need to contact your carrier. Each carrier has its own process for disabling this mode, but the general steps are the same.

How to Contact Your Carrier:

**Call customer service.** You can find the customer service number for your carrier on their website or on your bill.
**Use the carrier’s app.** Many carriers have apps that you can use to manage your account and disable Emergency Calls Only mode.
**Visit a retail store.** You can also visit a retail store for your carrier to have them disable Emergency Calls Only mode for you.

What to Expect:

When you contact your carrier, they will likely ask you for your account information and the make and model of your phone. They may also need to verify your identity.

Once your carrier has verified your information, they will disable Emergency Calls Only mode for you. You should then be able to make regular calls again.

Troubleshooting:

If you’re still unable to make regular calls after disabling Emergency Calls Only mode, there may be another issue with your phone. Try restarting your phone or contacting your carrier for further assistance.

Carrier	Customer Service Number
AT&T	1-800-331-0500
Verizon	1-800-922-0204
T-Mobile	1-800-937-8997
Sprint	1-888-211-4727

Restart Your Device to Clear Emergency Call Restrictions

Restarting your device can sometimes resolve software glitches or temporary network issues that may prevent you from making regular calls. Here’s a detailed guide on how to restart your device:

Power Off Your Device: Locate the power button on your device and press and hold it for a few seconds until the power-off options appear. Select “Power Off” from the menu.
Wait a Few Minutes: Allow your device to completely power off and remain in that state for a few minutes.
Restart Your Device: Press and hold the power button again until your device turns back on. You can also press the power button and any of the volume buttons simultaneously on some devices.
Wait for Initialization: Your device will take a few moments to restart and fully initialize.
Check Call Functionality: Once your device restarts, try making a regular call to confirm if the “Emergency Calls Only” restriction has been lifted.
Troubleshooting: If restarting your device does not resolve the issue, you may need to consult your device’s user manual for additional troubleshooting steps or contact your network provider for assistance.

Note: Restarting your device may temporarily reset your call logs and other recent activity. Remember to back up any important data before restarting.

Update Your Device’s Software to Fix Call Issues

If you’re experiencing issues with emergency calls, updating your device’s software may resolve the problem. Here’s how:

1. Check for Software Updates

Go to Settings > Software Update to check if any updates are available.

2. Download and Install Updates

If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Follow the prompts to complete the update process.

3. Restart Your Device

Once the update is installed, restart your device to ensure the changes take effect.

4. Test Emergency Calls

After restarting, dial 911 or your local emergency number to verify that it’s working correctly.

5. Contact Your Carrier

If you’re still having issues, contact your carrier for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or escalate the issue to their technical team.

6. Factory Reset Your Device (Optional)

If all else fails, you may need to factory reset your device. This will erase all data from your device, so be sure to back up important files before proceeding.

7. Additional Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some additional ways to troubleshoot emergency call issues:

Issue	Troubleshooting Step
No signal	Move to an area with better signal coverage or try using a Wi-Fi calling app.
Call drops	End the call and try again. If the problem persists, contact your carrier.
Cannot make emergency calls from your location	Try calling from a different location or using a landline.

Check the Call Settings Menu for Emergency Call Options

One of the simplest ways to turn off emergency calls only mode is through the call settings menu. Here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Open the Dial Pad

Begin by opening the dial pad app on your phone. This is typically the app used to make phone calls.

2. Enter Emergency Code

Dial the emergency code (*#*#33284#*#* or *#*#778#*#*), depending on your smartphone model. Once entered, the emergency call settings menu will appear.

3. Disable Emergency Calls Only Mode

Within the emergency call settings menu, you will find an option to disable emergency calls only mode. This option may be labeled differently depending on your phone model, but it will typically have a checkbox or toggle that can be turned off.

4. Confirm Changes

After selecting the option to disable emergency calls only mode, you may be asked to confirm your changes. Tap on the confirmation button to finalize the process.

5. Check Call Functionality

Once you have disabled emergency calls only mode, it’s a good idea to check if your phone can now make regular calls. Try making a call to a friend or family member to ensure that your phone is functioning correctly.

6. Alternative Codes

In addition to the codes mentioned above, there may be alternative codes for specific smartphone models. Here is a table with a few common examples:

Smartphone Model	Emergency Call Settings Code
Samsung Galaxy	##197328640##
OnePlus	##835495##
Google Pixel	##33284##
Xiaomi	##6130##
Huawei	##2846579##

Troubleshoot Emergency Call Restrictions with Your Device Manufacturer

**9. Software Updates:**

Ensure that your device’s operating system is up-to-date. Software updates often include bug fixes and security enhancements that may resolve emergency call restrictions. To check for updates:

Android: Go to Settings > System > Software Update.
iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

If an update is available, download and install it promptly. After the update, restart your device and test if emergency calls are now working.

Android	iPhone
Settings > System > Software Update	Settings > General > Software Update

Ensure No Physical Obstructions Are Blocking Call Reception

Before troubleshooting your phone’s settings, check for any physical obstructions that could be blocking the signal. This includes:

Antenna Obstructions:

Check if your phone’s antenna is covered or obstructed by a case, cover, or other accessory.
Ensure that your phone is not placed inside a metal container or area where metal walls or objects may interfere with the signal.

Signal Strength:

Verify that you have a strong cellular signal in your location. Weak or intermittent signals can cause emergency calls only mode to activate.
Move to an area with better reception and try making a non-emergency call to check if the issue persists.

SIM Card Issues:

Ensure that your SIM card is properly inserted into the phone and that the contacts are clean.
If you have recently changed your SIM card, power cycle your phone to allow it to detect and register the new card.

Other Obstructions:

Remove any objects placed on or around your phone that could potentially block the signal, such as bulky clothing, pillows, or blankets.
Check if your phone is in a Faraday cage or shielded environment that could block all incoming and outgoing signals.

Obstruction Type	Potential Impact	Troubleshooting Steps
Antenna Cover	Blocks signal transmission and reception	Remove cover from antenna
Metal Surroundings	Interferes with signal propagation	Move away from metal objects or environments
Weak Signal	Insufficient coverage to support calls	Find an area with stronger signal or use a signal booster
Improper SIM Insertion	No network connection	Reinsert SIM card securely
Faraday Cage	Blocks all signals	Remove phone from shielded environment

How To Turn Emergency Calls Only Off

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to turn off Emergency Calls Only mode, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Tap on “Phone”.

Tap on “Emergency Calls Only”.

Toggle the switch next to “Emergency Calls Only” to the off position.

You should now be able to make regular phone calls and send text messages.