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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

Feb 1, 2011 10:07 AM in response to Kyn Drake

I called in just now, the lady told me I have to try wiping and restoring the phone as NEW and not from my backup (which I've already done and the issue persists). She claims that I will not lose any info, app settings etc. as long as I sync before I wipe the phone. Is this correct? I know I won't lose any email, contact etc. since it's synced with MobileMe, but I'm more afraid of losing individual app data and my photos etc.

She says if the issue persists then to call back.

JDy80

Level 1

0 points

Feb 1, 2011 1:04 PM in response to bkb1777

For those who got a replacement from the Genius Bar, were they giving you new out of the box iPhones or were you getting refurb ones? I'm having the same home button issue, but its not to a point where its too bad and I would rather work around the problem than get a refurb.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Feb 1, 2011 2:32 PM in response to Jeremy Bohn

If done correctly you won't loose anything. If you are Apple Care just give them a call and they'll walk you right through it.

You can also check out this Apple page: http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=answerlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.apple .com%2Fkb%2FHT1414&iqaction=1028&answerid=134217728&src=support_site.results.sea rch

Feb 1, 2011 2:58 PM in response to bibo24

Thanks. Those steps say to restore from a backup rather than set up as a new phone and I was instructed by Apple to set it up as a new phone. I need to know if I set up as a new phone can I sync and get everything back to my phone?

Kyn Drake

Level 7

21,591 points

Feb 1, 2011 8:09 PM in response to JDy80

Well, it was new in a box, but not in a box like a retail one comes in. Does have the new flower screws.

Risky63

Level 1

20 points

Feb 2, 2011 5:23 AM in response to bkb1777

For what it's worth, I have iPhone 2, 3 & 3Gs and all have done this on the odd occasion, but I use the 2 as my main phone so notice it more on it. Have also noticed it happen on my iPad, have often wondered if I didn't press it properly. But I can live with it, I don't think it is software related.

Feb 5, 2011 4:17 AM in response to JDy80

My IP4 have been replaced by a refurb and I would like to know what exactly is a refurb phone?
The genius bar told me like is exactly as a new one but I am not for sure.
Could anybody explain to me what exactly is a refurb phone?
I will appreciate this information

Feb 5, 2011 12:22 PM in response to Jeremy Bohn

I called again and told them that the issue is persisting. The service rep said there are 2 options: they can send me a box and I ship it to Apple and they repair it, but I would be without a phone for about 5 days. The second option was for them to send me a replacement phone, they put the cost of the phone as a hold on my credit card, then I send the broken phone back. It costs $29.99, but that fee is waived if I have AppleCare, so I purchased AppleCare and my new phone is on the way. The rep never mentioned it being a refurb. Is there any way to tell once you get it, if it's a refurb?

Kwopau

Level 4

1,748 points

Feb 5, 2011 1:01 PM in response to Dr. Norberto

Dr. Norberto wrote:
My IP4 have been replaced by a refurb and I would like to know what exactly is a refurb phone?
The genius bar told me like is exactly as a new one but I am not for sure.
Could anybody explain to me what exactly is a refurb phone?
I will appreciate this information

There is no difference between the brand new one and a refurbish one. When you go to the genius bar and if they do replace your phone. Most likely they will bring out a refurbish.

In the outside a refurb phone looks very much the same as a brand new phone. Only difference is the inside. They only replace the parts that are defected, while the working parts would still get reused depending on which part it is. Generally, the stainless steel band, both the front and back glass are brand new, this also includes the battery which they also put brand new batteries. This way you can't tell the difference. Also refurbs are thoroughly tested by the apple tech, whereas the brand new phone can be a hit or miss out of the box.

Risky63

Level 1

20 points

Feb 5, 2011 2:01 PM in response to Kwopau

I would say there is a big difference between a brand new phone and a refurbished one.

Namely the refurbished one was a new phone that failed early in its life and has been repaired a new battery fitted, software upgraded to the latest and new cosmetic items such as front and back glass.

So in some ways a refurb is probably better because hopefully its problems have been rectified.

Feb 5, 2011 11:59 PM in response to bkb1777

ok i went through most of the forums! and it seems that i'm not the only one with the issue.
First thing i noticed is that most of u started to have this proble after a while of getting the phone so i asked myself could it be that with time and many new applications being installed on the phone are actually eating up the memory! or its just a memory leak?
Moreover most of us after restarting the phone or closing apps in the taskbar seem to reduce the problem!
So to test the theory i downloaded on my iphone an app called free memory! and after freeing up the memory it seems iphone is back to normal! Until now!
So what do u guys think?
Im feeling its nothing but a bad management of memory by the ios! (since mulitasking appeared).

Feb 6, 2011 12:02 AM in response to bkb1777

Feb 6, 2011 12:38 AM in response to bkb1777

ok i guess i cornered the problem now! after downloading free memory not a single time the home button hadthe issue as long as the free memory (not the storage memory) is above 200mb!

that is it! im 100% sure now it is a SOFTWARE - MEMORY MANAGEMENT issue! just try it and keep the free memory around 300mb!

why is the problem not on all iphones!?

easy some of the iphone are not able to restore the free memory after closing a memory intensive app! so the only solution to free up the memory is after restarting the phone!(not even free memory was able to free the memory after for example closing infinity blade game or need for speed)

by the way this also explains why through out the updates the problem was not solved! unless the ios memory management is not tackled dont expect the issue to be solved! straightforward!
it is a software issue! just run the tests!

Kyn Drake

Level 7

21,591 points

Feb 6, 2011 3:02 AM in response to aounmichel83

There could be several issues, here. Some which are software related, some hardware. For me, and some others, after exchanging the phone (we were able to reproduce the issue at the store), I haven't experienced any other issues with my home button with any apps.

After ignoring it for so long, it's really a completely different experience when you know you can count on the home button working.

Feb 6, 2011 3:49 AM in response to Kyn Drake

I totally agree with u! however the thing is the iphone is very likely to develop this problem with time and usage!
So fingers crossed

iPhone 4 Home button issue...