If your phone suddenly shows “Emergency Calls Only”, it means your device is not properly connecting to your mobile network. This problem is extremely common on both Android and iPhone devices and can happen because of SIM card issues, network outages, signal problems, phone settings, or damaged hardware.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn every proven fix to solve the “Emergency Calls Only” issue and get your network back to normal. Follow these steps in order — one of them will definitely work.
1. Restart Your Phone (Fastest Fix)
A simple restart refreshes your network connection, reloads SIM card settings, and fixes temporary software glitches.
- Hold the Power button
- Tap Restart
After restarting, wait 20 seconds for the network to reconnect.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
This forces your phone to reconnect to the nearest cell tower.
- Turn on Airplane Mode
- Wait 10 seconds
- Turn it off again
If the issue was caused by a temporary network error, this will fix it immediately.
3. Remove and Reinsert Your SIM Card
If your SIM card is loose or dirty, your phone might fail to read it.
How to do it:
- Power off your phone
- Remove SIM tray
- Clean SIM edges with a dry cloth
- Reinsert it firmly
Make sure the SIM clicks gently into place.
4. Check for Network Outages
Sometimes the problem isn’t your phone — it’s your carrier.
Signs you have a carrier outage:
- No signal bars
- Friends with the same carrier also have no service
- Your area recently had weather problems or maintenance alerts
Visit your carrier’s website or social pages to confirm.
5. Change Network Mode
Your phone may be locked to a network type that’s not available in your area (e.g., 5G not supported).
Android:
- Settings → Mobile Network
- Preferred Network Type
- Select 4G/3G/2G (Auto)
iPhone:
- Settings → Cellular → Voice & Data
- Select LTE
6. Check for Carrier Settings Update
Your network provider releases updates to improve signal connection.
iPhone:
Settings → General → About → If update available → Install
Android:
Settings → System → Software Update
7. Reset Network Settings
If your phone has corrupted network configurations, this step will fix them.
Android:
- Settings → System
- Reset Options
- Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth
iPhone:
- Settings → General
- Reset
- Reset Network Settings
Your saved WiFi networks will be removed but it will fix deep network issues.
8. Check SIM Card for Damage
If your SIM is old, bent, or scratched, it may stop working properly.
You may need to replace it if you notice:
- Visible damage on the chip
- The phone frequently loses service
- Other phones also can’t read the same SIM card
9. Try Your SIM Card in Another Phone
This helps you find out whether the problem is with the SIM or the phone.
- If SIM works in another phone → your device has the issue
- If SIM doesn’t work → your SIM is faulty
10. Check if Your Phone Is Locked
If you recently bought a used phone, it could be network-locked.
You’ll see errors like:
- “SIM Not Supported”
- “Emergency Calls Only”
- “Invalid SIM”
Contact the original carrier to unlock the device.
11. Update Your APN Settings
Your APN settings must match your carrier.
Android:
- Settings → Mobile Network → Access Point Names
- Select your carrier
iPhone:
- Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Network
If incorrect, request the correct APN from your carrier.
12. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If you tried everything and the problem continues, the issue may be deep in the software.
Backup first → Settings → Reset → Factory Reset.
13. Hardware Causes
Sometimes the SIM card reader is damaged.
Symptoms:
- SIM keeps disconnecting
- Phone only works if you press SIM tray
- Phone doesn’t detect any SIM
You’ll need a repair shop for SIM slot replacement.
Conclusion
“Emergency Calls Only” is a common and frustrating phone problem, but it is almost always fixable. By following the steps above — restarting the phone, checking the SIM card, resetting network settings, and verifying carrier connections — you can restore full network service quickly.
If none of the solutions work, your SIM or SIM slot may be faulty and require replacement. In most cases, however, this guide will solve the issue fully.