iPhone 12 - multiple issues; Apple ID the cause?

Question

iPhone 12 - multiple issues; Apple ID the cause?

Hi everyone. I posted my question on 5 Feb 2021. I didn’t get any reply nor could I find my posting. So, here I am again posting the same question as follows:

I am experiencing many issues on my iPhone 12 since iOS 14.2. My phone is now on the latest iOS 14.4

When the bugs come, this same set of issues will occur:

can't download apps or update apps in App Store
can't launch some bank apps (it is always the same apps)
some bank apps make the phone very hot even with just1 min of use and even after "killing off" the app after use
auto back up to iCloud and "Backup Now" will not work
photos in Photos app will not be uploaded to iCloud automatically
WhatsApp Chat "backup now" will not work
there is a spinning wheel in Notes. For example, notes created on my MacBook Pro do not sync with Notes in my iPhone when spinning wheel occurs on my iPhone.
on the Settings app, tapping some native apps in Settings will cause the screen to freeze. The native apps in Settings affected are: Voice Memos, Stocks, Books, and Podcasts. When I tap any of the third party apps in Settings, the screen also freezes. To overcome it (unfreeze), I will need to "kill off" Settings" by swiping it up. When I relaunch Settings, the screen will be black and it will take a few seconds for the Settings page to appear.

The following are Occasional problems that accompany the above set of problems:

Can't make outgoing cellular/mobile calls even though the phone shows 4G; receiving calls are fine
No cellular signal so calls are not possible and no internet (this happened 2 times, thankfully) while my wife's iPhone 11 on the same network is fine.

To resolve the above mentioned problems, I will need to restart the phone.

In terms of frequency of the problems returning, it can be a few times a day (this has happened twice), or every day. The best trouble-free interval was 16 days.

Apple Store has given me a new replacement phone. But the new phone doesn't resolve the problems.

Apple Support believes that this could be related to my Apple ID and I may need to use a new ID. However, my Apple ID is working fine on my MacBook Pro and on my old iPad running on the latest version of iOS9.

I am reluctant to try out a new ID because it will mean I will lose access to my contents associated with my current ID.

Yesterday, my niece’s iPhone 12 is starting to experience some of the issues I listed above.

Does anyone experience this problem or have any solution other than trying out with a new Apple ID?

iPhone 12, iOS 14

Posted on Feb 28, 2021 11:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jawsd23

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2021 5:18 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

Hi, I've encountered similar problem and finally managed to resolve it by myself after talking to apple support for hours without getting a solution at all.

Try computer backup via lightning cable, is it working? mine didn't work and I figured it's got something to do with the system error. My total data was 30+gb (i'm using icloud photos) and i had 256gb version of iPhone X. The weird thing was, total storage showed that i had 220gb of total data, and 180GB++ og them was "other storage - system file"

Apple support said that it was cache and will clear itself up, but it doesn't make sense to have cache totaling 180GB.

The most annoying thing was I couldn't make any backup to iCloud as well, but I luckily bumped into a thread here about iCloud backup that told me to go to

setting-> iCloud -> manage storage -> backup data -> turn off all the APPS there

I finally managed to make an iCloud backup, and then erase my phone, and restore from iCloud backup. The restore process failed the first time and I almost wet myself. Thankfully it worked the 2nd try, and I'm having a super normal super fast phone now. and guess what? the 180gb "system file" cleared up, leaving only about 7gb.

All my apps are working, app store perfectly normal and I can backup fine using mac or icloud now...

so you should try anything to get a backup and then erase your phone and restore it from the latest backup. Hope you can resolve this as well, because I know how frustrating this problem is and there was like NO WORKING SOLUTION at all from apple support..

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Answer 2

Axel Foley

Level 10

154,194 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:20 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

I have not experienced the issues that you have mentioned above however I have some recommendations to try. My recommendations will not include an attempt to try out a new Appel ID.

Reset Network Settings-

Open Settings ➔ General ➔ Reset ➔ Reset Network Settings : You will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi Network password(s) as you connect to the previously connected networks. See whether this helps at all.

Sign out and back in with your Appel ID.

Open Settings ➔ Apple ID (Your Name at top) ➔ Sign Out : You can sign right back into your Apple ID soon after signing out. Note that this action will sign you out of Apple Pay and all the cards will be removed. You will have to add all the cards back in Apple Pay after you sign back in with your Apple ID.

Axel F.

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Answer 3

Mar 3, 2021 9:32 PM in response to jawsd23

Reply to Apple support community

4/3/21

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Like you, I spent hours over several weeks talking to Apple Support and making 2 trips to Genius Bar.

In my case, I had no problem backing up to my Mac. I only started using iCloud backup when the bug happened on my phone and I was then advised by Genius to use iCloud backup. The advice then was the backup was probably corrupted.

So the advice was for me to:

1) back up to iCloud

2) set up my phone as NEW

3) not to restore from backup but only pull content from Apple native apps such as Contacts, Notes, Books etc. I also restored WhatsApp chat history. That’s the only content I pulled from a non-Apple app.

However, this didn’t solve the problem. The problem returned a day or 2 later.

After several hours of calls with Apple Support over several days, I was finally “allowed” to visit Genius Bar again. While I was there, the senior advisor didn’t think it was a hardware issue. He believed it was an Apple ID issue. Nevertheless, he agreed to replace my new iPhone 12. His advice was if the problem returned, I should use a new Apple ID.

Of course, over the next few weeks, the problem returned on some days. Each time, to resolve the problem is to restart the phone.

After spending so much time trouble shooting, my personal suspicion is that this is an iOS issue.

Why? I now know of 2 other users who experienced similar problem although the issues faced by them are a small subset of the issues my iPhone 12 had. (Incidentally, my phone has been trouble -free since 7 Feb. Unfortunate, the problem returns today, 4 March. The previous trouble-free record was 16-day period). I had to restart the phone in order to be able to use my Apple ID to post my reply.

The 2 users experienced the following issues:

iPhone 12 on iOS 14.4:

Can’t download new mail on Mail app

can’t sync Notes; spinning wheel appears on Notes app

cant sync photos to iCloud Photos

my niece who is the iPhone 12 user hasn’t restarted her phone to resolve the problem. She is waiting for Apple Support to call her so that she can do a screen share.

iPhone 11 on iOS 14.4

Can’t download new mail on Mail app

can’t sync Notes; spinning wheel appears on Notes app

Safari had no internet connection be it via mobile data or wifi. Strangely, the phone screen showed there was wifi and 4G and messages could come in through WhatsApp and Telegram

This iPhone 11 belongs to my wife. The bug came to her phone 2 days after updating from iOS 14.2 to 14.4.

After restarting the phone, the issues were resolved. Unfortunately, an hour later, the problem returned. However, this time Safari had internet connection.

After restarting the phone again, the problem went away. It has been 2 days of trouble free. Let’s hope it stays this way.

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Answer 4

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:09 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• photos in Photos app will not be uploaded to iCloud automatically

It is never uploaded, it is always synced. If you had turned on iCloud Photos, your content is automatically stored in iCloud.

If you delete Photos and Videos from the iPhone it is deleted from iCloud Photos too, and vice-versa. Alternatively, try uploading to iCloud Drive then you can delete from the iPhone.

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Answer 5

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:11 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• there is a spinning wheel in Notes. For example, notes created on my MacBook Pro do not sync with Notes in my iPhone when spinning wheel occurs on my iPhone.

Is this what you are seeing? See the pic below

Please check the following

Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn OFF, Background App Refresh
Location Services > Which app is using the "Location services" as Always and was used recently. Avoid Always.
Sharing Location with Friends and Family Members
Mobile Data usage, if WiFi Assist is turned ON
Please go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > [Check the apps which have used
Is the iPhone backing up on iCloud?
Is the iPhone syncing with Mac/PC over WiFi?

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Answer 6

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:12 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• on the Settings app, tapping some native apps in Settings will cause the screen to freeze. The native apps in Settings affected are: Voice Memos, Stocks, Books, and Podcasts. When I tap any of the third party apps in Settings, the screen also freezes. To overcome it (unfreeze), I will need to "kill off" Settings" by swiping it up. When I relaunch Settings, the screen will be black and it will take a few seconds for the Settings page to appear.

Change 3D or Haptic Touch sensitivity on your iPhone

Go to Settings and tap Accessibility.
Tap Touch, then tap 3D & Haptic Touch. Depending on the device you have, you might see 3D Touch or Haptic Touch only.*
Turn on the feature, then use the slider to select a sensitivity level.

Change 3D or Haptic Touch sensitivity on your iPhone - Apple ...

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Answer 7

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:06 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• can't launch some bank apps (it is always the same apps)

If you are experiencing any difficulty with third-party apps then please contact the app developer directly --> How to contact an app developer - Apple Support

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Answer 8

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:10 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• WhatsApp Chat "backup now" will not work

WhatsApp is not an Apple product. Contact the app developer here --> App Support or WhatsApp FAQ Or Restoring your chat history - WhatsApp FAQ or Contact WhatsApp

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Answer 9

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:12 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

Can't make outgoing cellular/mobile calls even though the phone shows 4G; receiving calls are fine

If you are unable make a call or receive; If you can't make or receive calls on your iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 10

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:13 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• No cellular signal so calls are not possible and no internet (this happened 2 times, thankfully) while my wife's iPhone 11 on the same network is fine.

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad

Check your coverage area. Make sure that you're in an area with cellular network coverage. ...
Restart your iPhone or iPad. Restart your device. ...
Check for a Carrier Settings update. ...
Take out the SIM card. ...
Reset your Network Settings. ...
Update your iPhone or iPad. ...
Contact your carrier. ...
Get more help.

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad ...

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Answer 11

Mar 1, 2021 1:47 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thanks for the reply. I believe the issue could be due to the incompatibility of these bank apps with iOS 14. Prior to iOS 14, I had no problem with these bank apps on my iPhone 11.

the ambient temperature is 28 to 30C.

Genius Bar advised me that the bank app issues should be resolved soon. I didn’t ask whether it was app issue or iOS issue.

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Answer 12

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:06 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

can't download apps or update apps in App Store

Seek helps here --> If you can't download or update apps on your iPhone or iPad ...

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Answer 13

SravanKrA

Level 10

440,500 points

Mar 1, 2021 12:07 AM in response to AlwaysGoodToGo

AlwaysGoodToGo wrote:

• some bank apps make the phone very hot even with just1 min of use and even after "killing off" the app after use

The question is

Have you exposed your device to a liquid?
Have you left it outside in a car and the temperature went beyond the acceptable limits?
What is the Health of the battery? Have you checked recently?
What were you doing on your iPhone?
Was it connected to counterfeit charging cable?
Did your iPhone had a protective cover which does not provide good ventilation?

Lastly, purchase Apple Products, from an Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and many Apple-authorized resellers and wireless service providers.

Secondly, It is not clear here in your post about the ambient temperature in your area where you are using the iPhone. However --> Keeping iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch within acceptable ...

Store the device where the temperature is between -20º and 45º C (-4º to 113º F). Don’t leave the device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.

Use iOS devices where the ambient temperature is between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F). Low- or high-temperature conditions might cause the device to change its behaviour to regulate its temperature. Using an iOS device in very cold conditions outside of its operating range might temporarily shorten battery life and could cause the device to turn off. Battery life will return to normal when you bring the device back to higher ambient temperatures. Using an iOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life.

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