WASHINGTON — Many AT&T customers in the U.S. woke up Thursday to find their cell phones not working because of a nationwide service outage.
The outage cut cell service to more than 74,000 customers at its peak, according to DownDetector.
For those affected, it means no cell service, no texting and no cellular internet access.
Many who lost service reported their phones being in "SOS mode."
Here's what that means:
Why is my phone in SOS mode? What is SOS mode?
SOS mode is simply a way for your iPhone to tell you that you don't have a proper cellular connection, meaning you're only able to call or text emergency services through the cellular network.
iPhone 14 or newer models also have satellite SOS capability, so you're able to call 911 even when outside of any cellular service range, unless you're some place where signal can't get out at all.
Android phones will also let you call 911 without service, although it's not called SOS mode.
How can I tell if my phone is in SOS mode?
The SOS icon will appear in the top right corner of an iPhone's screen when service is unavailable, where your cellular connection bars usually display
On an iPhone 13 or earlier, if you go out of range for any cellular service, the icon will swap to "No service" until you're back within range.
When will SOS mode go away?
SOS mode automatically turns on when there isn't any cell service available from your phone carrier. If you're experiencing an outage, you simply have to wait until service is restored to your area. If you have SOS mode activate because you're out of your network's coverage area, you'll have to travel back inside the coverage area before you can make calls.
Why can I still use my phone in SOS mode?
Although SOS mode indicates you don't have cellular service, it doesn't mean the phone is useless. Most modern phones allow calling, texting and internet browsing over wi-fi. So if you have an internet connection through a wi-fi signal, you'll be able to use your phone like normal. You'll only be able to contact other phones that are on a wi-fi network while in SOS mode.
When will the AT&T outage be fixed?
AT&T has yet to give a timeline for when service will be fully restored, but the company confirmed it is working on the issue.
“Some of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. We are working urgently to restore service to them. We encourage the use of Wi-Fi calling until service is restored,” AT&T said in a statement.
What can I do when my phone has no service?
Wi-Fi calling is a built-in feature on most Android devices and iPhones and can be turned on under the phone's settings.
If Wi-Fi isn't available, there are few options for cell phone users. It's possible to switch services if a phone is unlocked, but that requires signing up online and porting your phone number.
Some apps, including Google Maps, have limited service offline. Payment apps also do not use a phone's cell service to work and should also be useable.