My face keeps putting my phone on hold after I make a call

I believe this to be two-pronged issue.
1) face proximity sensor has been moved and software possibly not optimized for it
2) iPhone 4 touch screen is much more sensitive than previous versions for some reason. I can click/select something without my finger actually making physical contact with the screen which is bad IMHO. The 3Gs was perfect when it came to screen touch sensitivity.

Hopefully Apple can fix both by tweaking the underlying software code.
1) increase face proximity sensor sensitivity
2) decrease touch-screen sensitivity

Message was edited by: JPBOSS

I'm having similar issues, it's quite annoying actually. I was on the phone with a friend and I noticed that the "facetime" button got actuated a few instances as well as adding a third party caller. I also had a few events that included numbers being accidentally dialed while in my pocket and the phone staying on too long.

I called Apple support and they were able to re produce issue while I was on the phone with them. I called thinking it was an issue with my phone they suggested me to take to store. I did so and did not get a clear resolution. That prompted me to call again and I had them re produce the issue which they could. They stated they would escalate the issue. I was also able to replicate the issue on other phones on display at the Apple store in Louisville KY. I have had all the past Iphones and this has never been an issue. Its either a software issue or something with the hardware. The Apple rep suggested that it may have something to do with the placement of the sensor on the new Iphone. No resoltion was given. I even advised them to do a Bing or Google search on Proxinity sensor Iphone 4 ad there are several posts. This is a widesoread issue.

I am having exactly the same problem. I have had every iphone since launch and this never happened on the old units. This needs fixing quick or I am going to reject the phone on the grounds its not fit for the purpose i bought it for.

If you are having the same problem i urge you to add to this thread so that Apple can see how many people are affected by the failure of the phone.

I couldn't agree more. I can not hold the IPhone 4 to my face without some sort of problem. It absolultely ***** as a telephone and, having owned every previous version of the IPhone, could not be more disappointed in the product. Looking at returning mine and swithing to the EVO!!

If you have a case or a screen protector on the phone try removing it. It may be interfering with the sensor. This was a problem on older phones with some cases. There are several iP 4's in my office that do not have this problem so it is not universal. Thus, it pays to look for some external cause. It could also be a defective sensor.

If you scan the forum you will see a lot of reports of this problem with the iP 4, so you are not alone. Many people report that removing the case fixed it, particularly people who had used the case from their previous phone.

Confirmed fixes:
1. Avoid holding it that way
2.Apple has for your purchasing pleasure "bumpers" which have been unavailable at my local store for two weeks.
3.Duct tape or other like material over the suspect antenna
4.remove any protective cover that may be covering proximity sensor as with your phone which leaves it susceptible to scratches( Now I know why NONE OF THE RESPECTIBLE PHONE CASE MANUFACTURES HAVE RELEASED A CASE..ie Otterbox, Incase)
5.Use a blue tooth device for calls or place it on speaker.
6.Factory restore firmware via itunes

<Edited by Host>

I am having the same problem. An earlier discussion thread suggested doing a "Settings Reset" which I did. This seems to have ameliorated the problem for a few days but it's come back and it is most annoying. It does making using the phone as a phone unpleasant and unpredictable.

I too am having the "Proximity Sensor" problem. So far it has switched the call to speaker phone, hung up the call, and worse, gone into the settings of the person I called and played the ringtone in my ear.

I have no screen protector.

I've had three of the four models of iPhone and this is the first one where I've had the problem. I do not have any reception issues.

Also note that this did not occur on my 3Gs after the IOS4 upgrade, only on the new hardware.

I tried resetting network settings, though that makes zero sense as to why that would affect the proximity sensor. It is still happening. The only way to talk on this phone is to use a headset of some sort. I have had issues in the past when upgrading hardware and restoring settings from a prior phone, where I was forced to make it a "new" iPhone in order to get it to function correctly. I really don't want to do that because I don't want to lose all the data in my applications.

They really need to fix this one. Don't they demo these things before manufacturing millions of them???

Hedgie99 wrote:
They really need to fix this one. Don't they demo these things before manufacturing millions of them???

I'm sure they test them, and it's likely the problem did not occur on any they tested. It is not a problem on either of the iP 4's in my office (so far). When you manufacture millions you don't test millions, you test samples of batches. The rest get automated tests, and I doubt there is an automated test that can hold a phone to your face.

I agree that it is unlikely to be software. If it isn't a case or a screen protector it is most likely a wonky proximity sensor. I would take it to an Apple store for exchange. It should be very easy to demonstrate the problem.

Thanks. However, my problem started immediately, with no case or cover. Could not hold the phone to my face w/o a problem. I then added a case hoping to resolve the issue; without success. I can't help but think the problem is hardware - probably the sensor.

If they don't come out with a software upgrade that resolves the problem I'll be switching to the EVO

< Edited by Host >

Everyone I know who has an iPhone 4 is having this issue-- several of them have gone to exchange the phone for another iP4-- so I dont believe that some of them are damaged... I think that its an issue of them being TOO sensitive-- so people with lighter colored hair-- a more angular face-- things like that are having an issue

to defend my theory-- My friend has black hair-- and a lot of times her hair covers part of the phone-- and she rarely has an issue unless her hair is in a pony tail-- I have light brown hair-- I have it all the time...My idea is that her hair blocks our more light...

Ive also noticed it happens more to women-- which leads me to believe our faces are shaped differently or that we hold our phone differntly... has anyone actually heard if they have a PLAN for this?

use the search

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2475509&tstart=15

Me too. Calls being placed on hold or digits being dialled.