iPhone 12 losing service

I updated but it didn’t fix this problem. Still happens. But it’s weird. Some days I have no problems. Other days it is non-stop. That means it’s got to be a service issue right? If it were a hardware issue it would happen all the time I would assume.

kentafromindianapolis wrote:

I updated but it didn’t fix this problem. Still happens. But it’s weird. Some days I have no problems. Other days it is non-stop. That means it’s got to be a service issue right? If it were a hardware issue it would happen all the time I would assume.

Exactly.

This is a carrier issue that they need to sort out and seems to affect people differently depending upon the signal characteristics of your particular cell tower(s).

Note that "weaker" is not always easy to determine.

Signal bars are relative and only for that device; three bars on an iPhone 11 does not mean the same absolute signal strength as three bars on an iPhone 12.

I'm not basing my comment on signal bars. I'm basing it on the fact that I have used my phone in my study for ten years and had no problems with people not being able to hear me. The first time, and just about every other call I've gotten or placed with this phone has resulted in people saying "I can't hear you" at a time when I can hear them just fine. I have to walk outside to enable them to hear me. This has been reported by people in this thread. If that's not due to a weaker signal, how would you explain it?

I have explained this before - it's new phones being directed to frequencies they support the iPhone 11 did not, and the equipment for those frequencies is not configured properly on the base station controller at the tower.

I have placed hundreds of calls on my 12 Pro Max and have not experienced your issue, and in fact have held calls in areas older iPhones dropped them.

Wiliam Kucharski is correct. The carriers need to reconfigure their equipment for the new iPhones. Other than continue to contact Apple and ask them to work with your carrier and contact your carrier directly, there isn't anything I can think of that will make the new phones work properly on your network. For those who cannot wait, the older phones work correctly.

The problem persists when 5G is disabled on my phone and this is also noted in other postings on this thread. LTE bands and frequencies on the iPhone 12 are nearly identical to the iPhone 11 with the addition of two new bands and their associated frequencies.

I just updated to iOS 14.3 and noticed my modem firmware and carrier both updated as well. Mine only drops calls in certain areas near where I live when I’m driving so I’ll try it out tomorrow and see if it fixed the issue. Not getting my hopes up!

beveragizer wrote:

LTE bands and frequencies on the iPhone 12 are nearly identical to the iPhone 11 with the addition of two new bands and their associated frequencies.

Precisely.

When a cell tower base station controller sees an iPhone 12, it will likely assign it to use a frequency in the new bands because odds are few other devices support them right now.

However that also means tower antenna or configuration issues are most likely to occur in those bands as the others have been tweaked over time.

Started having this issue several times a day after I upgraded to a new iPhone 12 Pro Max at Verizon in Orlando few weeks ago. Preiodically keeps disconnecting me, sometimes I see a popup message CALL FAILED during a phone call. I upgraded every year to the newest mode in previous years and never had issues with connectivity. This is so annoying. What is Apple going to do about this?

I don't think (most of you) you understand how the usage of cellular frequencies work. Carriers build their networks according to standards specified by the FCC and industry groups such as IEEE, in general. Sure, they can add their own enhancements, but it must follow the base standards. Carriers DO NOT tweak their networks in general for SPECIFIC vendor cell phones. Think about that. There would be thousands of permutations that could be in play between one phone brand/model and a carriers service.

The issue is very much likely a combination of issues. Some may be, and probably are, tied to Apple (12), since this series of phones seems to be the only one having the issue widespread. That being the case, it is probably something more on Apple's end that needs adjusting, not the carrier. But, that doesn't take any responsibility off of the carrier. Their service must be delivered in spec with standards that were provided to phone modem development requirements.

I think both sides are working on it, while both sides are also doing some finger pointing. It probably is also a not one fix fixes all users issues. Again, the permutations are vast between the phones operation and providers service attributes. I think for those that it is causing unacceptable use/service, return the phone and go back to what you had before until it is widely fixed; I know for some that is hard as you sold the old phone, traded in, or other cases where the old phone is gone. You should be able to exchange the 12 for a model 11 if you are withing the warranty period. If you've waited too long to make the exchange, that is sort of on you. I would still try and insist to Apple the need to exchange for your business needs AND customer satisfaction.

Before just posting here, "What is Apple doing about this", or "What is my carrier doing about this", you might actually talk to them AND understand it may be a while before this is completely sorted out. AND remember, neither Apple NOR your carrier are officially monitoring these forums. Even if they were, they are under no obligation to act on anyone's comments here. If you want them to now you have the issue or are not pleased, GO TO THEIR support page or CALL.

While you are correct that there are standards, unfortunately Samsung does not appear to publish which LTE bands their phones can access but given Apple' published specs there are obvious reasons say iPhone 11s would work but 12s would not.

You are correct that it doesn't hurt to notify both your carrier and Apple, though it seems when Apple has worked with a carrier directly for a customer, issues at that tower have been resolved relatively quickly.

Balanced analysis. Stick around!

Btw I regard having no spare iphone because it was traded in, as poor planning as having no software backup .

Some day the phone needs fixing like a warranty fix or a new battery and may be away for 2 weeks in a pandemic. No good only having only one phone for the sake of a few bucks trade-in

IPhone 12 Pro just updated to iOS 14.3 and I’m dropping calls, 5 drops within 45 minutes this morning while driving. Have not experienced dropped calls with this phone prior to this update. Carrier is t-mobile and WiFi calling is on.

FWIW, I recently drove approximately 4,000 miles round trip across the US on interstate highways using Waze on this phone and was connected to 5G for most of the trip. Excellent voice and data coverage. My connectivity issue began this morning after upgrading to iOS 14.3. Location is NE suburban area of Atlanta, GA.

Any suggestions for a diagnostic path to isolate issue? Turn off wifi calling to see if there is a handoff problem? Restrict to LTE only? Your help is appreciated

A manager from Verizon called to suggest a fix - and fingers crossed it seems to be working - if you live in an area that does not yet offer 5G service.

Go to - settings - cellular - cellular data options - select LTE; and then under Voice & Data (where you selected LTE) Data Mode - select Standard. Instant bars!

This makes sense to me; hopefully my signal doesn’t fall off - it stayed constant at 3 bars while I typed this!

I hope this works and helps you.