iPhone 3G Version 2.0 home button not working instantly when pressed

I took the new sim card out of my still non working 3g 16g white phone and put it in my old iphone, (note the old one had a 3g card in it) went to itunes and did their setup and back in business with the 2g phone, now for the 1 hr drive to the apple store uh!

How did the return of your iPhone turn out Funnone?

This is whats wrong with my iPhone. Button only works when fully pressed down for single and double taps. Home button does not work if pushed towards the bottom/top right. Button works when pushed to the top left. Lightly double tapping the home key rarely works. This leaves me with the impression that there is a hardware issue.

I've went to the apple store and AT&T store to test their 3g's and to my expectations, no matter what direction i pushed, or how light i tapped, the home key functioned flawlessly. Granted there were some software kinks that got in the way, the primary function of the button was working as expected, to do its function when pressed.

So i went to the Apple Store to see a Mac Genius. When i told him my dilemna he immediately started testing the home button. As expected he said it works when pushed down fully or to the top left. Then i told him to try pushing it in other directions, and he agreed that the button was not functioning then. The Mac Genius then said, "im sure with all the other 3g phones you'll find the home buttons are working the same way as yours." This is when i got the impression he just wanted to turn me away. He even had that look (is he gonna complain or am i off the hook). Being a long day i let him off the hook.

After a day, i decided its back to the store again, but this time a different one, and i'm not letting them off the hook that easy. I don't believe a button on a phone must be pressed in a special way for it to work. I don't believe it was in Apples original intention to design a button that works as such as well. I just want the quality phone Apple sells and for it to function the way it was intended. And no my home button does not work properly unless pushed in a special way. I don't believe every iPhone is unique and that they all have a special sweet spot for the home key. Get it right Genius. I'll fill you guys in how it goes tomorrow.

I've been noticing that but as with some, thought future updates would resolve.

However today as I left work, I called my husband to let him know I am on my way home. After I ended the call, I always push the home button but doing so kept bringing me back to the Phone favorite screen. I could not even do a reset. When I did a reset, the iPod came up (don't ask me how) and all I can hear is good old Tina Turner singing. My dad called me, and I was able to click on the Jawbone to pick up the call. Another call came in, and the screen gives you the usual "ignore" or "hold call" options... but I cannot press on any option. It was like the phone had a mind of its own. The screens for the 2nd call, the iPod album cover, and the subsequent voice mail visual... all appearing in the screen now.

I came home and am now doing a restore. Crossing my fingers.

well after a 3 hr round trip drive I must say apple got it right, got the phone yesterday worked great for 6 hrs. then no sound, no home, no charge, and no sync, took it in told them what happen, said ok here is your new one, oh by the by maps did'nt work on yesterdays phone? does on this one. and have 3g in jacksonville fl but not in brunswick ga and I had a razor that did 1 1/2 yrs. ago?

I recently purchased the iphone 3g through Optus in Australia. Got it home opened the box and there was a total hardware failure with the home button. I have returned the phone to Optus, who refused to provide a replacement or any meaningful service, who have to send it to Apple to determine the fault. This will take 48 hours. At this stage I have no phone and have no idea what Apple will do. I am very annoyed. If any Australian users are considering purchasing an iphone I suggest they do not use Optus. The service was terrible. I will provide an update on Apples response when I receive some meaningful feedback. But needless to say a total hardware failure when a product is straight out of the box is a worry. I hope they replace it with a new unit. Has anyone had a similar experience and what was Apple's response.

Just thought I'd chime in on this too - mine is doing the same thing and just to be clear, we're not talking lag time - we are talking it not working at times. I can litteraly press the button over and over again, you can even hear it click and see it move and the phone doesn't respond. I have to really press it down hard to get it to turn on, which wouldn't be horrible, but it makes it difficult if not impossible to use the double click. It also gets very annoying when trying to switch applications and get back to the home screen.

I thought it was just how they all were, but I was in the apple store yesterday and that's not the case - any of the ones on display responded the minute you depressed the button, didn't matter where on the button you pushed it or how hard, it worked.

I have an appointment this afternoon at the Galleria Store in Houston - I'll let you know how it goes. I for one won't go for a repair or refurb - this thing is only a week old, I didn't buy something that should need to be repaired - I can still return it and just buy another if it came to it. Don't know how that will all work out though since they are out of stock.

Keep pressing the Mac Genius if you dont get a new one. I had to go to 2 to get it replaced. I don't believe there are refurbs for the Iphone 3g yet. I got a brand new one.

For the hardware issue with the home button u can view this thread instead.
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7645566#7645566

I myself and others had the issue resolved with a replacement. From the looks of it, mine was brand new.

My husband's new 3G (16G white, btw... though why color, capacity makes any difference, have NO idea, but thought it better to put that in) was having this problem. Four days after the initial release, I returned to Apple Store where we purchased them to exchange it. They said it was a hardware issue, and I had no problem with exchanging the phone, per se. The only problem was how long it took to do it. Evidently, they hadn't had to do many exchanges/returns yet, so that took a while. Didn't want AT&T to get confused, and wanted to make sure the phone number "made it" to the exchanged phone.

I have never had any problems dealing with Apple Tech Support, or the Genius Bar insofar as our iPhones are concerned (iMacs a different story). I believe it's because they are so wanting the phone to be a complete success, and have the great word of mouth, that they are instructed to do whatever possible for the customer to have a positive experience and quick resolution of the problem.

I bought the 16g black iphone, worked the first couple of days. Today had a problem with the home button not responding at all. Restored it and everything is working right now but i still have to sync it again. I have already restored my phone once before due to apps opening and closing. the restore fixed that problem after reinstalling the apps. ill post an update after syncing my phone again

I had the same home-button-not-working and locked to 'Featured' screen today. First time since I bought it on 7/11. I did a soft reset holding power and screen button to shut it off. Powered it back on and it is working fine now. Thanks to this discussion group to help me bring it back to normalcy. Not sure for how long though.

I went to two Apple store last Sunday and tried all the 3G's I could get my hands on. At least a dozen including one of the geniuses. They all HAD the problem we have, that a casual press of the home button may or may not work. It seems you have to get it right in the center with the ball of your fingertip to contact it just right.

Speaking of problems, anothre I have is it is impossible to feel that little vibration that the phone puts out. I thought Version 1 was bad, but the 3G is impossible to feel unless you're holding it. It's useless to me.

Thats strange. I tried a lot of iPhone 3g's at the AT&T store and the Apple store and they were really sensitive. I only had to push the bottom portion of the button to get it to work.

My 3g vibrates pretty strong, i can tell i have calls through my jean pocket.

Message was edited by: Ma.K832

I have the same issue, and like yours, it is definitely a hardware problem. The phone does show some symptoms of software lagging at times, but I can repeat the issue we're talking about. I really have to press that button much harder than the amount of force it takes to make the button "click in" in order for it to work. AT&T will not replace it because they have no stock (and they won't order one for me), and the nearest Apple Store is 5 hours from me.

I feel your pain. The only solution i was offered was a replacement, which i was fine with. But a 5 hour drive is kinda ridiculous. I guess the question now is how much do you love your iPhone 3g. That'll decide if the drive is worth it. Oh and its better to inquire if there are replacements available at the store in your case, before you go.

i'm having the same problem - i have to press the home button up to 4 or 5 times sometimes to get it to work 😟

thinking about returning it but of course that will be a total pain in the butt an only will work if they actually have them in stock. curious to hear an official explanation of this from apple.