Unable to exit SOS mode on company iPhone without phone number

Question

Unable to exit SOS mode on company iPhone without phone number

I recently took over company phone management for a small company. I have one of their old phones (iPhone 13) that is in SOS mode. I am able to get into the phone, but in Settings, there is no phone number associated with the phone or iCloud account. Does it need to be completely reactivated? How do I find the phone number?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Can't get out of SOS mode on company phone that does not have a phone number associated with it

iPhone 13

Posted on Nov 3, 2025 9:28 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Johnathan Burger

Level 9

70,825 points

Nov 3, 2025 10:02 AM in response to lizardkween444

If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,910 points

Nov 3, 2025 10:40 AM in response to lizardkween444

have you confirmed with your carrier that the device actually has service?

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

100,131 points

Nov 3, 2025 9:44 AM in response to lizardkween444

Does it have a SIM card or eSIM installed?

In Settings, General, About does it show and SIM restrictions in Network Provider lock?

In Settings, General, VPN & device management dies it show any company profile?

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Answer 4

LD150

Level 10

100,131 points

Nov 3, 2025 10:36 AM in response to lizardkween444

lizardkween444 wrote:

... Does it need to be completely reactivated? How do I find the phone number?

...

BTW if you can get into Settings and the employee previous user is absent and left it with you, it will still be activation locked to them, and you will need their apple account password. Some companies manage their own phones through MDM.

When similar company phone managers like yourself have phones used by employees who have left, they have to find the original company purchase receipt and try to negotiate with Apple to get it deactivated. IF not possible, it may be useless for another user.

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