Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

@ Ed Slate - My buttons are not pushable when the screen goes black but you have to be so close to the phone for it to cut out (less than an inch away) that I know if you are on it and your face is moving towards the phone there is no way it could cut off in time before a button is pressed.

I also do not really want to return my phone again because I don't have the signal loss problem either. I had it on my first phone, but not this one. Hoping for a software fix for the proximity issue.

Ed State wrote:
That's exactly what happened to me. They made me an appointment at the Apple Store to exchange my phone...

Look. I've been following all this "how many inches" the sensor is away, etc, etc. And while that may be the issue for some... I don't think it's the main issue.

My proximity sensor works. I've put it through all sorts of tests (and for the record, it's probably and inch-to-an-inch-and-a-half)... the screen TURNS OFF, just as it should.

The PROBLEM is, while the screen is off, the BUTTONS ARE STILL "PUSHABLE".

That's the problem.

Again, I'm not an engineer... but the fact that the buttons are "still pushable" when the Proximity Sensor is engaged seems like a SOFTWARE ISSUE.

I think it's kindof stupid that I have to get a new phone because of that. Because I'm one of the lucky ones that hasn't experienced the "antenna reception loss thing". And I'm kind of scared If I get a new phone, it'll have that problem.

Jeesh, etc.

But many of you are right. The fact that Apple hasn't publicly acknowledged this is really frustrating, and quite stupid business / brand -wise.

@Ed - forgot to say... also the older phones had a much wider range than 1 inch. They were about 2 inches or more which gave more time for the screen to mute. If you don't believe me, check it for yourself with anybody you know that has an older iPhone. Just wanted to let you know. May help with troubleshooting for you when you go to Apple store. Let us know if you get yours fixed.

Edward Ferrell wrote:
@ Ed Slate - My buttons are not pushable when the screen goes black but you have to be so close to the phone for it to cut out (less than an inch away) that I know if you are on it and your face is moving towards the phone there is no way it could cut off in time before a button is pressed.

I also do not really want to return my phone again because I don't have the signal loss problem either. I had it on my first phone, but not this one. Hoping for a software fix for the proximity issue.

Ed State wrote:
That's exactly what happened to me. They made me an appointment at the Apple Store to exchange my phone...

Look. I've been following all this "how many inches" the sensor is away, etc, etc. And while that may be the issue for some... I don't think it's the main issue.

My proximity sensor works. I've put it through all sorts of tests (and for the record, it's probably and inch-to-an-inch-and-a-half)... the screen TURNS OFF, just as it should.

The PROBLEM is, while the screen is off, the BUTTONS ARE STILL "PUSHABLE".

That's the problem.

Again, I'm not an engineer... but the fact that the buttons are "still pushable" when the Proximity Sensor is engaged seems like a SOFTWARE ISSUE.

I think it's kindof stupid that I have to get a new phone because of that. Because I'm one of the lucky ones that hasn't experienced the "antenna reception loss thing". And I'm kind of scared If I get a new phone, it'll have that problem.

Jeesh, etc.

But many of you are right. The fact that Apple hasn't publicly acknowledged this is really frustrating, and quite stupid business / brand -wise.

Just wanted to add to this workaround. As soon as you initiate a call you can double click the home button to bring up recent items and then just hit the photos or whatever you were using as a quick shortcut. It will take you right back to whatever the last photo you had up and you can go to your call.

Definitely shouldn't have to do this but for people that absolutely need their phone without headphones etc.. this was a great suggestion.

This is working for me so far at least as a work around.

djkidkaz wrote:
I think I may have found a temporary solution to our problem while we wait for a real fix from Apple.

Once you start a call, hit the home button and pull something else up on the screen like a photo so that if the screen comes back on it doesn't have options like END CALL or FACE TIME on the screen to accidentally hit. The calculator may be another good choice as the only way to get it off the screen is to hit the home button.

I am having this issue too. It's really annoying!! Why all these issues Apple?? It seems that your PHONE doesn't really work well as a PHONE!!! Come on!

I have the same issue. I am on a call and find myself either muting the call, starting a three way call, ending the call or some other crazy stuff. My wife has been begging me to get rid of my iphone since this is the third phone I have now. Yes, the third, apple has exchanged my iphone 3 times. This last one is just like the other two therefore I am assuming that the next one will be the same...oooh, to add the this, my reception is horrible, but not during calls.. I am now considering ending my contract with at&t and returning the iphone. Too bad that this story may end like this since I love the past generations of iphones.

Called in today and got ahold of a Tier 2 Tech. I am bring both my phones to the Apple store on saturday for replacement. They told me that they need units it is happening to, in order to find out the exact cause. Wondering if it has anything to do with Apple removing the proximity sensor and using the front facing camera instead? No clue, but hopefully they fix it soon.

Just wanted to chime in to say I'm experiencing this problem as well. I restored my phone from a 3G, and I'll probably try the restore next. I was on a support call earlier today and accidentally hung up on the poor text who had been working with me for 15 minutes already. so frustrating!

I was finally able to reproduce the problem with my girlfriend's phone. She kept complaining about accidentally hitting speaker and mute. I did a basic test of the proximity sensor and all looked fine. Didn't believe her until I did a search and found my way here.

To reproduce the problem I had to call another phone and wait for about 10-11 minutes. After this amount of time I could move the phone off my ear about .5 inches until the screen activates. Then slowly move it back to my ear until it touches and now the screen stays on. Now just the slightest movement off the ear and the screen activates.

Mind you none of this would happen in the first 10min of the call. Maybe it's only when the phone heats up after extended use. My iPhone 4 works perfect when duplicating the same test.

Well just would like to share with you guys that I just got a replacement Phone today from apple Store and yes even the new phone is doing this So Now it makes me wonder is it the designing of this phone or the IOS4 software I know on Iphone3GS there were two proximity sensors I am not sure about this phone anyhow I hope this is fixable through a software update I have my fingers crossed i would really hate to give this phone away but if this proximity issue is not resolved I will have too I hope apple fix this soon and yes I have tried resting phone and setting it up as new It DIDN'T HELP at all. Please Apple Fix this Please 😟

I got a new replacement today. Seemed ok at first, then about 4 minutes into call it started same thing. I tried to test it out before leaving the apple store today and the guy helping me said " We don't have that much time here." So I called Apple again. Got another appointment for tomorrow. Apple rep gave me her email address and told me to take as much time and make as many phone calls as I want while being helped at the apple store, and to email her if I am rushed. What get's me is they make you explain whats going on and do a restore and all this stuff when they know the problem is legit! Hope number 3 will be the magic one. Don't think it will be. I guess I'll stay there until I get one that works!?

talked with a apple genius today and they said that the iOS4 thats shipping on the phone may not have been a final and to go ahead and do a backup of current data and then do a complete wipe and download a new iOS4 image and then restore from backup. I plan to try this tonight when I get home. I have tried the reset all settings to no avail and i have tried a hard reboot of the phone at Apples suggestion. This sure is getting annoying especially when I manage to 3way call a fax number...

Let us know if that works on your cause it didn't helped I tried it and this is my 2nd iphone4 now Still same proximity Issue 😟

I have the same issue. It seems to work fine when looking at the phone and placing it up to face but when I put it up to my face and shoulder, it meses up about 80 percent of the time. I've hung up on my parents and friend multiple times, put them on speakerphone, started facetime, and all of a sudden hangup and start dialing someone else!!

What is up with this!! its SO ANNOYING!!

You can check in your phone under "settings>general>about>version"

and see if the version number says 4.0 (8A293) to see if you have the current version installed. I have it on mine and still have the problem. You may want to check this before you go through wiping and reinstalling your software but let us know how it works out. I am anxious to see if it works.

jterrill wrote:
talked with a apple genius today and they said that the iOS4 thats shipping on the phone may not have been a final and to go ahead and do a backup of current data and then do a complete wipe and download a new iOS4 image and then restore from backup. I plan to try this tonight when I get home. I have tried the reset all settings to no avail and i have tried a hard reboot of the phone at Apples suggestion. This sure is getting annoying especially when I manage to 3way call a fax number...

fastaccess2004 wrote:
I am now considering ending my contract with at&t and returning the iphone. Too bad that this story may end like this since I love the past generations of iphones.

Seriously, life's too short.

Get something else, and if a fix is made, I'm sure you'll hear about it.

You could also always get a 3 GS, which has a different/differently programmed sensor.