Backup cellular connectivity for essential services

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processor configured to cause a user equipment (UE) to:
• receive user input to alter an operational state of the UE;
• initiate an authorization process at least in part in response to receiving the user input to alter the operational state of the UE;
• in response to determining that the authorization process has failed, implement a security enhancement for the UE, wherein the security enhancement comprises entering a pseudo-active mode, wherein, while in the pseudo-active mode, the UE is configured to:
• power down a display of the UE;
• maintain an active connection with a network;
• and
• periodically transmit location information of the UE to the network;
• determine that a remaining battery level of the UE has fallen below a predetermined threshold while the UE is in pseudo-active mode;
• and
• at least in part in response to determining that the remaining battery level of the UE has fallen below the predetermined threshold while the UE is in pseudo-active mode, enter a pseudo-power off mode, wherein the UE is configured to periodically power off a radio of the UE while in the pseudo-power off mode.

A method, comprising:

• by a user equipment (UE):
• receiving user input to alter an operational state of the UE;
• initiating an authorization process at least in part in response to receiving the user input to alter the operational state of the UE;
• in response to determining that the authorization process has failed, implementing a security enhancement for the UE, wherein the security enhancement comprises entering a pseudo-active mode, wherein, while in the pseudo-active mode, the UE is configured to:
• power down a display of the UE;
• maintain an active connection with a network;
• and
• periodically transmit location information of the UE to the network;
• determine that a remaining battery level of the UE has fallen below a predetermined threshold while the UE is in pseudo-active mode;
• and
• at least in part in response to determining that the remaining battery level of the UE has fallen below the predetermined threshold while the UE is in pseudo-active mode, enter a pseudo-power off mode, wherein the UE is configured to periodically power off a radio of the UE while in the pseudo-power off mode.