When traveling abroad, it is common to notice that your phone displays “Emergency Calls Only”. This message indicates that your phone is unable to connect to the mobile network, but it does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the device. This issue is often related to network conditions, settings, or local coverage limitations. This post explains what “Emergency Calls Only” means, why it appears, and how to fix it when traveling internationally.

What Does "Emergency Calls Only" Mean?

The message "Emergency Calls Only" means that your phone has lost connection to the regular mobile network and can only make emergency calls. While it might still be able to connect to a limited network for emergency purposes, no other mobile services, like texting or making regular calls, are available. This usually happens when your phone cannot detect a network that supports voice and data services, often due to poor signal strength, network congestion, or being in a remote area with limited coverage.

For more information, you can also read our post on What Does ''Mobile Network State Disconnected'' Mean.

Common Reasons Your Phone Is Saying 'Emergency Calls Only'

There are several reasons why your phone might show the “Emergency Calls Only” message. Here are some common causes:

• Weak or No Signal: If you’re in an area with poor signal coverage, your phone may be unable to connect to a regular mobile network. This can often result in the phone defaulting to "Emergency Calls Only" mode.

• SIM Card Issues: A damaged, improperly inserted, or faulty SIM card can prevent your phone from connecting to the network, causing the "Emergency Calls Only" message to appear.

• Network Congestion or Outage: In high-traffic areas or during a network outage, your phone might be unable to connect to a mobile network that supports voice or data services, leaving it with only emergency call functionality.

• Airplane Mode or Manual Network Selection: If your phone is in airplane mode or set to manually select a network, it might not be able to connect to the right network. Ensure that airplane mode is off and network selection is set to automatic.

• Roaming Restrictions: If you’re traveling internationally or in an area where roaming is restricted, your home carrier may not provide full service, limiting you to emergency calls only.

How to Fix 'Emergency Calls Only' Issue

If you’re seeing “Emergency Calls Only” on your phone, this typically indicates that your phone cannot connect to a mobile network, but it can still make emergency calls. There are several ways to address this issue:

• Restart the Device: Restarting your phone can refresh the connection and prompt it to re-scan for available networks.

• Check Airplane Mode: Ensure that airplane mode is turned off. If it’s on, all mobile connections will be disabled, leaving you only with emergency calls.

• Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card: A loose or improperly inserted SIM card can cause this issue. Remove the SIM card, check that it’s properly placed, and reinsert it to establish a connection.

• Switch to Automatic Network Selection: If your phone is set to manually select a network, it might not be able to connect to the best available network. Set the network selection to Automatic in Settings > Network Selection to allow your phone to connect to the strongest available network.

• Check for Local Network Outage: Sometimes, local network outages can prevent your phone from connecting. You can check with your carrier or look for service updates through their website or social media.

• Verify Data Roaming is Enabled: If you’re traveling internationally, ensure that data roaming is enabled. Without it, your phone cannot connect to networks while abroad.

Note: If these steps don’t resolve the issue, the cause may be related to local network conditions or roaming restrictions, rather than a problem with your phone’s settings.

For more information, you can also read our posts on Disadvantages of Airplane Mode, What is Data Roaming, and Data Roaming On or Off.

How a Global eSIM Can Help Solve 'Emergency Calls Only' Issues

A global eSIM, like Roamless, can be an effective solution to resolve the “Emergency Calls Only” issue while traveling. Here’s how it can help:

• Automatic Network Selection: Roamless automatically connects your phone to the most stable and reliable local network available. This helps ensure that your phone isn’t stuck on “Emergency Calls Only” due to a weak or unavailable network.

• Global Coverage: Roamless provides access to over 200 destinations, so you can stay connected in more places. This significantly reduces the chances of encountering network issues, especially in areas with limited network coverage.

• No Roaming Agreements Required: Unlike traditional roaming, a global eSIM like Roamless connects you directly to local networks, eliminating the need for roaming agreements. This ensures a smoother and more reliable connection without the limitations of traditional roaming.

• More Secure Connection: With mobile data instead of relying on public WiFi, your connection remains more secure and stable, preventing interruptions that can lead to "Emergency Calls Only" messages.

Note: While a global eSIM can help resolve network connection issues, it does not automatically guarantee that your phone will avoid the "Emergency Calls Only" status. The issue may still persist if the local network has connectivity limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my phone say "Emergency Calls Only"?

This message appears when your phone cannot connect to the mobile network. While it can still make emergency calls, it cannot access regular services like texting or making voice calls.

Can I make regular calls if my phone says "Emergency Calls Only"?

No, your phone can only make emergency calls when this message appears. To make regular calls, your phone must be connected to a stable mobile network.

How to turn off "Emergency Calls Only" on iPhone?

On iPhone devices, the message might appear as "SOS Only". To turn it off, ensure airplane mode is off, restart the device, and go to Settings > Cellular > Network Selection, then set it to Automatic [1]. For more information, you can also read our post on How to Fix the “SOS only” Status on an iPhone.

How to turn off "Emergency Calls Only" on Android?

For Android devices, turn off Airplane Mode, restart the phone, and ensure the network selection is set to Automatic [2].

Why does my phone switch to "Emergency Calls Only" when I'm traveling?

When traveling abroad, this message often appears due to poor network coverage, roaming restrictions, or network congestion in the area. In these cases, your phone may struggle to connect to a network that supports voice and data services.

Can using a global eSIM help prevent "Emergency Calls Only"?

Yes, a global eSIM like Roamless can help reduce the chances of experiencing the "Emergency Calls Only" message. By automatically connecting to local networks and eliminating the need for roaming agreements, a global eSIM ensures more reliable connectivity, especially when traveling internationally.

Sources:

[1] Apple Support. ''If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching on your iPhone or iPad''. Accessed January 21, 2026. - https://support.apple.com/en-us/120000

[2] Samsung Support. ''Samsung phone displays Emergency calls only''. Accessed January 21, 2026. - https://www.samsung.com/us/support/troubleshoot/TSG10000275/