If your phone shows SOS, No Service or won't load data, check whether Verizon has an outage before you reset anything. Verizon posts known network problems in the My Verizon app and on its support site, and outage reports from other users show up on Downdetector within minutes.
How to check if Verizon is down
- My Verizon app: open the Support section and check network status for your address. Verizon shows known outages there first.
- Verizon's website: verizon.com/support has a network status check by ZIP code or address.
- @VerizonSupport on X: Verizon confirms large outages there.
- Downdetector: a sudden spike in reports from your area usually means an outage, even before Verizon confirms it.
Outage or your phone? Quick tests
- Ask someone nearby on Verizon, or check a second Verizon phone. If theirs works, the problem is probably your phone or account.
- Turn airplane mode on for 30 seconds, then off. This makes the phone reconnect to the nearest tower.
- Restart the phone.
- Check for a carrier settings update (iPhone: Settings > General > About) and a software update.
- If you see SOS or SOS only, your phone can't reach Verizon's network but can still call 911 on another carrier's network.
Other carriers that go down with Verizon
Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile all run on Verizon's network. A Verizon outage usually affects them too. See what network Visible uses and what network Xfinity Mobile uses.
How to stay connected during an outage
- Turn on Wi-Fi calling. Calls and texts go over Wi-Fi at no extra cost, so they work at home or anywhere with Wi-Fi even when Verizon's towers are down.
- Use messaging apps such as WhatsApp or iMessage over Wi-Fi.
- Call 911 as normal. Phones in SOS mode can reach 911 through another carrier's network.
Can you get a credit?
Verizon has given account credits after major outages. If an outage cost you service for several hours, check the My Verizon app or contact Verizon to ask for one.
Past Verizon outages
- September 30, 2024: a nationwide outage left many phones in SOS mode for most of the day. Verizon said it was resolved that evening.
- August 30, 2025: a software issue put phones in SOS mode in several regions.
Read nextVerizon coverage map→
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if Verizon is down in my area? +
Why does my Verizon phone say SOS? +
Is Visible down when Verizon is down? +
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Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.