Additional Coverage:
Verizon Resolves Widespread Outage, Offers Apologies and Credits
Verizon customers across the U.S. experienced significant service disruptions on Wednesday, with many reporting their devices were limited to “SOS mode” for much of the day. The wireless giant confirmed late Wednesday night that the outage had been resolved and encouraged affected customers to restart their devices to reconnect to the network.
The company acknowledged the widespread frustration, stating, “Today, we let many of our customers down and for that, we are truly sorry. They expect more from us.” Verizon also announced that it would be providing account credits to those impacted by the service interruption, with details to be shared directly with affected customers.
Earlier in the day, a Verizon spokesperson confirmed the company was aware of “an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers” and that teams were “working non-stop” to restore service.
While the exact number of affected customers remains unclear, online tracker Downdetector reported over 180,000 users experiencing outages at its peak, with complaints spanning from New York to California.
The outage also had a ripple effect, with some T-Mobile users reporting difficulties reaching Verizon customers. A T-Mobile spokesperson clarified that their network was “operating normally” but acknowledged that their customers might be unable to connect with those on Verizon’s affected network.
In a critical safety alert, New York City Emergency Management warned that the outage could impact 911 calls for Verizon Wireless users. They advised those unable to connect to 911 using a Verizon device to use a different carrier’s phone, a landline, or to visit a police precinct or fire station for emergencies.
“SOS mode” on mobile phones indicates a device’s inability to connect to its primary wireless network, though it can still make emergency calls by utilizing other available carriers, as explained by Apple.
This incident marks a third similar outage for Verizon in recent years, with previous disruptions reported in August 2025 and October 2024.