If your phone shows SOS, No Service or won't load data, check whether T-Mobile has an outage before you reset anything. T-Mobile lists known network problems in its T-Life app, and outage reports from other users show up on Downdetector within minutes.
How to check if T-Mobile is down
- T-Life app: check network status for your address in the support section.
- T-Mobile's website: t-mobile.com has a network status check by address.
- @TMobileHelp on X: T-Mobile confirms large outages there.
- Downdetector: a sudden spike in reports from your area usually means an outage, even before T-Mobile confirms it.
Outage or your phone? Quick tests
- Ask someone nearby on T-Mobile, or check a second T-Mobile 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 T-Mobile's network but can still call 911 on another carrier's network.
Other carriers that go down with T-Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Tello and Optimum Mobile all run on T-Mobile's network, as do Google Fi and US Mobile lines set to T-Mobile. A T-Mobile outage usually affects them too. See what network Metro uses and what network Tello 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 T-Mobile'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?
If an outage cost you service for several hours, contact T-Mobile through the T-Life app and ask for a bill credit.
Past T-Mobile outages
- June 15, 2020: a nationwide outage lasted about 12 hours and blocked many 911 calls. T-Mobile later paid $19.5 million to settle the FCC's investigation.
Read nextT-Mobile coverage map→
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if T-Mobile is down in my area? +
Why does my T-Mobile phone say SOS? +
Is Mint Mobile down when T-Mobile 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.