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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

Oct 8, 2010 1:41 PM in response to MBP619

I went ahead and called Apple Support and they are shipping a replacement asap. I'll let you know what happens

David K.

Level 1

10 points

Oct 8, 2010 2:03 PM in response to Chunkymonkey04

I received my replacement iPhone 4 through the advance replacement program, and after using it for the past few days, I can say the home button works flawlessly. It's nice having it work like it's supposed to 100% of the time. I would recommend an exchange at the first sign problem before the warranty runs out. It seems like it's a problem that takes a while to materialize. I'll be sure to send out an update if my replacement phone gives me any problems down the road.

P.S. I restored the new phone from the most recent backup of my old phone, so I doubt this is a software problem, but who knows?

Message was edited by: David K.

Oct 8, 2010 2:10 PM in response to David K.

Thanks for the update, David! Hopefully, my replacement will be the end of it for me.

Iceduck

Level 1

10 points

Oct 9, 2010 6:10 AM in response to bkb1777

I don't know why or how, but I have not had the issue for quite a while now. Still not sure if it's hardware or software, but right now it seems to be back to normal.

Oct 9, 2010 7:24 AM in response to bkb1777

My iPhone 4 was exchanged right when 4.1 came out. They even updated it for me in the store to 4.1 and I noticed the home button was not as responsive. I called AppleCare after a few weeks and told them what was happening, they advised to do a full restore (new phone).

I did the restore but didn't install any apps, music, etc., and left it like that for a few days. No button issues!

After a few days, I put all my apps on, music, video, etc., and the issue returned. I'm going to guess software, anxiously awaiting 4.2. It's not a humungous issue but more of an annoyance. I've noticed that closing all multitasked apps and keeping it somewhat cleared out seems to help the most.

David K.

Level 1

10 points

Oct 9, 2010 7:35 AM in response to Oso Grande

In the back of my mind, I have been thinking the problem may be related to Apple's implementation of multitasking, but the problem has been so random, it's difficult to pinpoint. I am also anxiously awaiting 4.2. Even though this problem is more of an annoyance than anything else, it will be a relief to have our phones working as expected after the update. If enough people get their phones exchanged due to this problem, it would be a safe bet a fix will be included.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Oct 11, 2010 9:35 AM in response to bkb1777

I'm having the exact same problem on our two iPhone 4's. Very, very annoying. Hopefully there's a fix in the works. It's difficult to demonstrate to a Genius since I can't consistently duplicate the problem.

Oct 11, 2010 11:06 AM in response to bibo24

My wife has the iPhone 4. No problem. Mine had the problem. I had it replaced, no more problems. Maybe it is possible you got 2 bad iPhones.

Oct 12, 2010 8:58 AM in response to Chunkymonkey04

Some questions to you all, because this thread seems a bit vague:

1. Is it always in the same program that the home button doesn't work?
2. Does it never work or does it take a few seconds to go home? In other words, don't hit the button more than once, hit it once and see how long it takes (if at all).

The reason why I'm asking is because iOS gives a certain amount of time for an application to pause or quit (I think it's 30 seconds). If the app doesn't quit in that time, then the OS forces the program to shut down. It may not be a fault of the home button itself, but the program that you're using wasn't written well.

On the other hand, if your answer to #1 is no and it's intermittent, then it may be a hardware issue (sometimes a loose connector is all it takes).

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Oct 12, 2010 9:08 AM in response to Michael Ho

For me it happens sporadically regardless of what application I am using. For example, after the iPhone returns to the dial pad after a call ends, I hit the home button and one of three things happens after one click. Either nothing happens, the phone goes to the multi-task bar, or the phone returns to the home screen. It is never consistent which is what makes it so annoying!

Again, it doesn't happen all the time and does not appear to be associated with any one application as it can happen while leaving Contacts, Calculator, Stocks, Phone, etc. Throughout the day I'd say it happens about 8 times or so.

Oct 12, 2010 9:19 AM in response to bibo24

bibo24 wrote:
Either nothing happens, the phone goes to the multi-task bar, or the phone returns to the home screen.

Hey Bibo24, thanks for replying.. follow up questions for you:
1. Do you notice it more often after restarting your phone? (try a hard restart - home + power)
2. Are there certain times of the day that it's consistent?
3. Does it happen when all your apps have quit?
4. Do you know what apps are running when it happens?

I'm thinking one of several possibilities:
1. Hardware issue. Button is having problems with how it's registering the click (apparently either none, single or double tap).
2. Some app (maybe a background app) is not cleaning up and so there might be a memory leak causing a problem with registering the click. It may be an app that everyone has in common.
3. Conflict of drivers with home button hardware and iOS 4.1. The phones should consistently have the same hardware for these things, but you never know for sure. There may be variances in the hardware and one of them has a driver bug.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Oct 12, 2010 9:41 AM in response to Michael Ho

Michael,

Thanks for the response. Your input is very much appreciated and is why I love the Apple Forums!

I have done a hard re-set and the problem persists, although it might be better for a while but I can't say for certain there.

You may be spot on about a memory leak. I'll do some more testing after the hard re-set to see if it is better immediately afterward.

TextNow and Weather Alert USA are the two apps I believe are running in the background.

Again thanks Michael for the quick response.

Cryo

Level 1

14 points

Oct 12, 2010 10:27 AM in response to bkb1777

Just thought I'd chime in again. Went to the store this weekend and swapped the phone out. I did a full restore from the backup of the old phone. After 4 days of use, I have not had the issue happen again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Message was edited by: Cryo

Oct 12, 2010 10:29 AM in response to Cryo

I have also swapped out the hardware and the problem has gone away. It came with 4.0 installed (no problems for 2-3 days). I then installed 4.1 a couple of days ago...still no problems.

It seems to have been a hardware problem for me.

Oct 12, 2010 9:09 PM in response to bibo24

I'm still checking on the various threads that I've offered help on, so feel free to post whenever you have more info.

iPhone 4 Home button issue...