iPhone stuck in "headphones" mode

I have finally succumbed and repalced the faulty unit with a refurb iphone from Optus. Must say the unit looks "brand new" anyway I will let you all know if the new iphone gets stuck in headphone mode.

Yeah, the ringtone trick failed me too, but it did something interesting: although the phone was still stuck in headphones mode, and I couldn't hear the person on the other end of the line, the phone rang on calls.
And definitely it's heat related.

Message was edited by: RHage

I have surmised that it's heat related, too, because the problem tends to occur on lengthier calls. I don't know if this is just a matter of increased probability during a long call, or if it is because the phone gets too hot during a longer call. In any case, I hope there's a possible software fix - something like forcing the phone to maintain its audio state under most conditions, with the one exception of hitting the Speaker button. Maybe just wishful thinking here.

I'm running the latest OS and still have the issue, so I'm going to say 'no'. Whether or not it's a heat issue, though, I can't be certain. My phone performed fine for the first year and a half. What may have changed is the OS, which could have introduced the problem. Or it would be reasonable to consider that the phone may have aged over time and may be more susceptible to heat. It's a pretty solid device. Heat may not be the issue. I wish Apple would show a little transparency on the issue. I guess my goal in joining this thread is to reach out to other users with the same issue and raise its priority in Apple's to-do list.

The reason I speculate it's a heat issue, is the following: not only does this happen after long usage (long calls, applications, wi-fi), but also it happens spontaneously on when the ambient temperature is elevated.
There might be a software issue also (as you have mentioned) because the problems started for me after the 3.0 update.

I agree that it is a combination software/hardware issue. The problems did not start for me until after the 3.0 update, however other friends of mine with iPhones (both 3G and 3GS) do not have this problem. Obviously, based on the number of posts, it is somewhat widespread though. My problem, like many others, happens more frequently after CPU intensive tasks and when ambient temperature is high. I can solve my problem temporarily by placing my iPhone against my car vent and cranking the air conditioning - so it is definitely a heat issue. The closest Apple Store is more than 3 hours from my house so I cannot get it looked at there. The local at&t store has said, if it is out of warranty it is my problem. I have spoken to an Apple Rep on the phone and he said it was an issue but not much I could do about it short of bringing it in to an Apple Store. Has anyone else had any luck with phone support? Have they even acknowledge that the issue is a real one and is affecting more than just a handful of users?

I am not so sure that heat is what is causing the earpiece to go out. I am more convinced that heat is the cause of a lot of call disconnects I'm experiencing. If I talk for more than a few minutes, the likelihood of the call disconnecting prematurely seems to go up exponentially. When speaking to one friend, with whom I share lengthy conversations, we're plagued with this problem. Whether losing sound in the earpiece is related or not, I can't be sure. That heat is the cause of call disconnections, I'm almost 100% positive. Initially, I thought it was AT&T's spotty service, but it really only happens with these longer conversations. Again, is it just increased probability or heat? My guess is it's the heat.

I agree it's a heating issue. Every time it goes to headphones when I'm at home, I would put my Iphone in the fridge for 2 min. and the problem was resolved. I also replaced the battery but same old thing. Whatever country produced these phones there is a widespread and common problem that Apple will not admit to it!!!!

<Edited by Host>

Ok I have my replacement Iphone and have been playing Tower Madness for an hour or so, no the phome doesnt switch to headphone mode but interestingly the back of the phone DOES NOT get as warm as previous faulty one. I'm thinking that this 'heaphone stcuk fault' is due to some faulty internal hardware that is overheating. Good test would be to have two iphones side by side running the same app and measuring the temp of both.APPLE WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not in the US, so I'm not a AT&T user, and I don't get disconnected when the phone gets heated and switches to headphones mode.
So the call disconnections might be an AT&T issue, and not iPhone related.

My phone just did it again. The conversation lasted only 5 minutes and 17 seconds before the earpiece went mute. The handset is warm, not particularly hot. At least, I've noticed it getting hotter in the past. So either it's a cumulative problem, or the heat threshold is very low. In any case, this problem wasn't present the first year and a half. It seems reasonable to believe that the problem could be in the recent OS iterations, and if so, could be fixed via software. The phone will probably still get hot, as it always has during long conversations, but it shouldn't trigger the phone to switch into headphones mode.

Had my phone for 13 months and used the headphones for the first time today. Now I have this 'headphone jack' problem. Unbelievable.

I can change the ringtone or set an alarm and the ringer will come back... Until I try making a phone call. No other solutions worked and the jackhole was lint-free. I'm gonna be really upset if I can't get this fixed. I used the headphones that came with the phone ONE TIME and now I can't use the phone normally. Incredible.

As having to fork out another lot of money for an issue that is Apple's fault and not the end users is absurd!!!!

I live in the UK and the Apple stores will supply another iPhone, if you give them £140 and your existing phone!! SO they win either way. You are effectivley buying 2 units, when its not your fault.

Obviousley those within the warranty period can have a new iPhone free of charge. But once that period of warranty is over you will have to hand over your phone and £140 to get a refurbed unit. ($215 US Dollers)

Also this issue has not been solved and the MODS need to amend this thread to un answered

<Edited by Host>

So, has anyone come up with ideas for solving this mystery? Almost no physical repairs can fix this. I had cable 3 replaced last week and still, as soon as my phone heats up by normal use - web, or email or a game, then the headohone mnode kicks in.

I have been searching for days for any apps that can disable this headphone mode. I have been looking for jailbreak apps that do the same, but no avail.

Im now looking into potentially making this app myself, but I think that Apple could make alot of us customers v.happy by making this simple app! Although they would then loose revenue by people not having to change their phones after 1 year of normal use.....

Finnished, you nailed it perfectly. That is exactly the experience I have been having, although I never try to cool my phone in the refrigerator. That is just ridiculous, although I hand it to you and other iPhone users for your ingenuity.

I have had the phone go into headphones mode spontaneously during several business calls and have also found that plugging in the headphones will disconnect the call. If we were meant to use headphones all the time, they should have called it an iPod with calling functionality, not an iPhone with music functionality.

Using headphones is to me just a workaround, and an annoying one at that. I have serious doubts about buying another iPhone, since it could suffer the same problem. I baby my phone and use no case which could act as an insulator. Even when the phone has been sitting idly for hours, long before feeling warm to the touch, this problem can occur. After only 2 years of gentle use, it is totally unacceptable, but perhaps the problem is not the hardware after all, but recent iterations of the OS.

I also would like to see this issue marked as yet unresolved.