{"id":12797,"date":"2018-03-15T12:31:21","date_gmt":"2018-03-15T09:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unlockunit.com\/blog\/?p=12797"},"modified":"2019-10-14T11:19:01","modified_gmt":"2019-10-14T08:19:01","slug":"my-phone-says-emergency-calls-only-what-should-i-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unlockunit.com\/blog\/my-phone-says-emergency-calls-only-what-should-i-do\/","title":{"rendered":"My phone says emergency calls only. What should I do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most common issues that Android users deal with is \u201cEmergency calls only\u201d, which doesn\u2019t allow you to make any calls or use any other network-based functionalities of the handset. Technically speaking, you\u2019re not able to use some basic features and this can be very frustrating. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, like any other common issue of an Android smartphone, there are a couple of fixes you can apply, no matter the phone you have. <\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve put together a complete guide with solutions you can apply if your phone says emergency calls only, suitable for any Android-running handset. Without much further ado, let\u2019s see how you can get rid of this problem!<\/span><\/p>\n

Check if your subscription payment is up to date<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some users completely forget about paying their bills sometimes and the carrier disconnects them from the network. Basically, in this case, it\u2019s not a technical issue, as the phone is running smoothly. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before considering a potential fix, make sure that you\u2019ve paid your subscription. If you haven\u2019t, do it right away, then send your carrier the confirmation, in order to be quickly reconnected and use the phone at its full capacity immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Select your carrier manually<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your subscription is ok, you can try connecting to the network manually. Sometimes, the carrier changes some settings, causing the network to disconnect. I\u2019ve been through this myself a few times and applying this tip helped me. <\/span><\/p>\n

In order to do this, simply follow this path: Go to Settings > Wireless and Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Operators. It can vary a bit, depending on your phone\u2019s manufacturer, but on most Android handsets it\u2019s exactly like this. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here, you will find a list of the carriers available in your country. Select the one you\u2019re using and give the phone a few moments, until it connects back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toggle the Airplane Mode<\/span><\/h2>\n

Enabling this mode disables all broadcasts and cell reception of the phone. Just swipe down the notification bar, enable the mode, then disable it after a few seconds. Wait to see if the phone connects to the network now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Restart the phone<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes, a simple restart cand solve a lot of things. Power down the phone, leave it for a few seconds, then turn it back on. See if the network is working properly now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check the position of the SIM card<\/span><\/h2>\n

If the previous method doesn\u2019t work, your SIM card could be misplaced, so it\u2019s not making a perfect contact with your device, hence leading to the situation in which your phone says emergency calls only. <\/span><\/p>\n

This can happen after dropping your phone or dealing with another type of impact. Turn it off, remove the SIM tray and make sure the card is positioned correctly in its slot. After this, power on the phone and see if the network is still misbehaving or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check your SIM for any potential damage<\/span><\/h2>\n

Still no luck? In this case, take the SIM card off the phone again and see if it\u2019s in good condition. If you\u2019re using it for a few years, it could be damaged. Make sure that the connectors are clean and there\u2019s no dirt and debris on it. Also, see if there\u2019s a problem with the connectors on the phone itself if you\u2019re using a model with a removable battery and the slot for the card is right under it. <\/span><\/p>\n

In case you find something which can affect its good functionality, try cleaning the place with a soft eraser or a cotton bud and rubbing alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, in order to make sure that there\u2019s nothing wrong with the SIM card itself, ask a friend with a SIM from the same carrier to use theirs on your phone, and vice versa. You will be able to figure out if the card or the phone is to blame for this situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Change the Network Mode to GSM Only<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though they are considered outdated and slow, 2G networks are some of the strongest still available. And they can be a solution if your phone says emergency calls only. <\/span><\/p>\n

In order to use them, you need to follow a path in the menu, but again, it\u2019s different, depending on your phone\u2019s manufacturer. Try one of the following: <\/span><\/p>\n