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bkb1777 Author

Level 1

10 points

iPhone 4 Home button issue...

I have tried to read on here and find out if anyone is having any home button issues but I can't seem to find anyone with the issue I am having. When I press my home button it works about 95% of the time. However, about 5-10 times a day it will not register the push at all and I have to push it again and it works. It's not something that really bothers me its just rather annoying. Anyone know anything about this? Also, has anyone noticed when you do push the home button it takes just a couple more seconds to close the app than the older iPhones? I have a 3G still and when I push the home button it instantly goes to the home page. Its just a little delayed with the IP4. I have compared it several times. Does anyone else have this issue? I'm wondering if its all just my phone because I haven't been able to compare my IP4 to anyone else's. I'm just wondering if all of this is any reason at all to get my phone replaced. I'm thinking it's not at all but I am just wondering who all else is having a problem or noticing a delay. I don't have any other issues with my phone. Just the home button. & if it helps any I have had my phone since day 1 of launch. I pre-ordered it.

iPhone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Sep 27, 2010 9:53 PM

694 replies

Jan 18, 2011 4:07 AM in response to loljohnson

All of us have used blowing pressure air cause if is dust you need to remove from the inside. Blow half of the pressure air can and when the dust is removed the home button will work as supposedly to be (in a lot of cases dust was the problem), but I guess this is not the only problem a software problem still exist

Message was edited by: Dr. Norberto

Jan 19, 2011 4:42 PM in response to bkb1777

My ipt has had this issue since I purchased it. My 1999 VW Passat power windows do the same thing. I push up and it goes down. It also has a double click for full up or down and it'll act unexpectedly. My iPod touch home button felt broken and did move around when I got the player, I'd call it a wiggle. I have a second touch and it has no such issue. I'm glad I found this thread, I see it has 31,000 views in discussion forum. I have a square trade warranty should I ask for a replacement. The player is 64gb. I'll take an iPad if possible when I get my replacement.

Jan 19, 2011 8:31 PM in response to bkb1777

I am now convinced this is a hardware issue, where before I was pretty sure it was software. My home button is now worse than ever--if I hit it anywhere but dead center, it does not function correctly, and it still screws up even when I DO hit it on dead center sometimes. Rebooting the phone no longer helps and it happens whether I have lots of apps or no apps open in the multi task bar. It's completely random now.

My replacement is supposed to arrive on Friday via FedEx. Apple Care assured me that this is a new in the box iPhone 4, not a "reserialized" unit. After having several refurbs give me problems, I want to try a new one. I am going to try to change my luck. I have a brand new Belkin Grip Vue (the best cases in my opinion) and a new screen protector waiting for the new phone. Hopefully this is the end of my issues. But at least I know Apple has my back if it's not. I think that from now on I will skip the Apple store and just call the number.

arbitel

Level 1

4 points

Jan 19, 2011 9:00 PM in response to spiderman0616

Calling Apple Care is actually one of the many options. If you actually bought the extra warranty - Apple OneCare, you could get a free advanced replacement. Otherwise, you would have to pay $29 shipping fee if you only have the original limited warranty. Another option would be you sending your phone and let Apple determines if it's really broken, and then they send you a replacement for free, in this case, you would be out of phone for couple of days.

What could also be done is getting it to a nearby Apple Store for a replacement. I would suggest you setting a Genius bar appointment first, I got mine replaced without any questions asked, make sure you have updated to the latest iOS and backups first though.

Jan 19, 2011 10:07 PM in response to arbitel

You missed my first few posts--my local Apple Store has been useless with this problem and have given me a lot of dud refurb units for various issues. Last time I went in, the guy goes, "Even if you can reproduce it, I'm not replacing the phone for this issue. Pressing the home button is all about timing." Yeah--that was really his solution.

I called Apple Care as my last resort to see if I could get someone to listen to me and they replaced it no questions asked. They were great. From now on, I will not go to the Apple Store anymore with problems. The person I got on the phone was some kind of senior something or other and told me I could e mail her directly with any more problems in the future. I will definitely take her up on that.

Jan 20, 2011 9:00 AM in response to spiderman0616

I'm not surprised that the Genius was rude. Some of them have this "holier than thou" attitude.

madhu89

Level 1

0 points

Jan 20, 2011 9:52 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

hey ppl.. check this link.. i guess apple is responding to this problem in the upcoming update.

http://venturebeat.com/2011/01/20/iphone-multitasking-gestures/

hope this helps !

cheers !

Jan 20, 2011 6:51 PM in response to madhu89

Yeah, I read about that, but it's not a solution. It's a cool new feature, but the home button still needs to work. It doesn't really fix anything. I want an iPhone where I can use the new gestures OR the home button.

Excited for my non-refurb iPhone to come in tomorrow--I really hope this is my last exchange.

Jan 21, 2011 4:24 PM in response to bkb1777

Well, it must have been hardware. I received my replacement phone from FedEx today and restored it from my last backup--no button problems so far. They sent me a brand new phone in the box with new charger and headphones and everything. (I was tempted to keep my old ones, but I'm paranoid. I didn't want to get charged for them.)

The only thing that ***** is that I had a screen protector PERFECTLY installed on my last phone and I can't seem to get one right on the new phone. Small price to pay though--my home button finally works again!!!

Felix.B

Level 1

0 points

Jan 22, 2011 5:12 PM in response to bkb1777

I have just posted in another thread regarding the same issue. My iPhone's home button doesn't respond every time either. I live in Australia, and after speaking to Apple on the phone for over an hour, they are shipping me a replacement phone.

The problem developed after about a month of having the phone, and has been progressively getting worse.

Jan 22, 2011 6:16 PM in response to Felix.B

You'll be glad you did. I got my replacement yesterday and instantly noticed that the home button is much firmer and "clickier" than my last one that didn't work right. I felt like the last one was pretty solid, but I guess I had just gotten used to it being crappy. I think some of these home buttons are not seated right or are just shorting out or something. I have put all my old apps back on this phone and restored from backup and haven't had a single problem.

The worst thing about this issue is that it's hard to get it to happen in front of a genius at the Apple store and they won't touch this with a 10 foot pole if they can't see it happen.

arbitel

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2011 6:54 PM in response to spiderman0616

Well I guess it all depends on your luck. I went to the genius bar and mine got replaced even without any questions asked. All he said was "Ok i trust u". i went to the apple store in fifth avenue, manhattan

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Jan 23, 2011 9:08 AM in response to bkb1777

I'm giving up living with this annoying problem. Gonna call Apple today. The store wasn't any help.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Jan 23, 2011 2:56 PM in response to spiderman0616

Called Apple Care and am getting a replacement on Tuesday. This is the ONLY issue I have with my iPhone4 so can't wait to get the replacement. Like you say, it's hard to get it to do it when you're trying to show someone and prove your point.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Jan 26, 2011 8:24 AM in response to bkb1777

Well, got mine replaced yesterday and could tell an immediate difference. The home button is definitely more "clicky", and I haven't had the problem at all with the wonky home button behavior. Hope this takes care of the problem. So far so good.

iPhone 4 Home button issue...