Mobile Networks in Multiple Countries Display 'Stay Home' Message When Users Connect to Cellular Instead of WiFi

iPhone users in several countries who disconnect from WiFi on their devices will see a "Stay Home" message at the top of the Control Center where cellular network information is displayed.

stayhomeos

Image via Matt Navarra

According to reports on Twitter, the status bar messages are showing up in countries that include Germany, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, Peru, Turkey, India, Luxembourg, Romania, Indonesia, Nigeria, and more.

The message appears when WiFi is toggled off in the Control Center, causing cellular network connectivity information to appear, but it would also show up without turning off WiFi when leaving an available WiFi network and transitioning to cellular. No U.S. networks appear to be showing the Stay Home wording this time.

Countries where the Stay Home message is showing up are encouraging residents to stay inside and practice social distancing to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, with the text serving as a reminder.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

dannyyankou Avatar
77 months ago

What’s next? Concentration camps for those evil non-compliers?
No but your grandma might die
Score: 56 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Emanuel Rodriguez Avatar
77 months ago

What’s next? Concentration camps for those evil non-compliers?
No, but I believe public ridicule is warranted for putting many of our loved ones at risk through completely selfish acts. If I ran a business, I would fire anyone not complying with the guidelines (if they have a choice). It's completely disgusting to care so little about your fellow human that you'd put them at risk like that.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
konqerror Avatar
77 months ago

thanks apple.
Nothing to do with Apple. It's an old GSM-era feature that allows the network and SIM card to set the operator name. It is used when networks rebrand, to show roaming status, to show a MVNO's name, etc.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
77 months ago

Very weird/interesting; do most people in these countries turn off WiFi when leaving their house? ?
Not sure, but it'd also show up if you disconnect from WiFi and transition to LTE when leaving the house. Turning off WiFi is just an easier way to see it.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlyMourad Avatar
77 months ago
Here in Egypt it’s displaying whether you have WiFi on or off.

Some networks say “Stay Safe” and some “Stay Home“

Attachment Image
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jpn Avatar
77 months ago
love it.
this reminder is able to reach populations who should be more concerned - especially young people - in an in yr face way that is only slightly annoying. i consider it a kind of public service announcement.
thanks carriers who are using this, and apple for making great devices.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)