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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

Oct 13, 2010 3:21 PM in response to bkb1777

Similar issue.

Got the phone on the first day. Recently, two issues have appeared:

--Pressing the home button doesn't register and need to press it again, OR

--Pressing the home button once appears to register as a double-click; the multitasking icons appear and the screen slides up

Happens maybe once out of every 10 presses - either the non-register or the double register.

Makes me think it's a wonky mechanical button issue...

sn4p2k

Level 4

1,228 points

Oct 13, 2010 3:36 PM in response to bkb1777

add me to the list sometimes the home button double clicks sometimes it doesnt recognize the click

Injector

Level 1

77 points

Oct 13, 2010 4:01 PM in response to sn4p2k

My home button has started doing the occasional double-click (only pressed once) and the multitask bar comes up. I've not had it fail to register though. Is this a hardware issue? If so then these buttons aren't up to much are they! My phone is less than 2 months old.

Oct 13, 2010 4:20 PM in response to Injector

I have a feeling it's a hardware thing.

What I've read in other forums is that eventually dust finds its way past the button front and works down into the button's electrical contacts, which must be spotlessly clean to function reliably. I even saw a photo of someone who took the phone apart and pried out the button (but effectively ruining it). You wouldn't believe the lint clogging it.

Great, now all we need is "buttongate"...sigh...

Oct 14, 2010 7:45 AM in response to Frank Malloy

I have the same problem, but I'm leaning toward a software problem. I did a complete restore of the phone and set it up as new and it work like new. Then I restored it with my backup. It worked like a champ for about a day. Now it's back to it registering the button push about every three or so pushes. I am convinced I noticed this starting right after the 4.1 update. If the 4.2 update doesn't correct the problem I'm getting the phone replaced.

Injector

Level 1

77 points

Oct 14, 2010 8:05 AM in response to Mark Farner

I am still on 4.02 and have the problem.

Oct 14, 2010 12:09 PM in response to MBP619

And add me to the ever growing list. I noticed that it doesn't seem to do it when it's plugged into the wall charger.

Booked in at Apple on Sunday to try get a replacement.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Oct 14, 2010 2:29 PM in response to Mark Farner

That's really interesting. I haven't setup the iPhone as "new" yet. Sure would have to go through having to setup everything all over again. So time consuming!

I'm hoping against hope that it is indeed software related.

I wonder if it is a particular program that is running in the background that is causing the hick-up?

Oct 15, 2010 3:33 PM in response to chesterflaps

thank you for the tip!!!! yes, when my iphone 4 is plugged into the wall charger, the home button works perfect. who knows why??????????

abisen

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2010 8:58 AM in response to bkb1777

I am having the same issue. I would say that I started noticing it just a couple of days back (1-2). I have once restored the phone to factory settings (4.1) and I still notice the problem.

On my second restore (re-try) I am getting restore error (3001) and my phone is a brick now. I have an appointment today with Apple Store. I will update how it goes 🙂

paulking

Level 1

10 points

Oct 19, 2010 1:30 PM in response to Frank Malloy

Having the EXACT same issue with my 3 month old iphone 4... was fine till about a week ago.

Maybe some inferior component used on the home button and it just doesn't have the longevity.

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Oct 19, 2010 1:35 PM in response to paulking

Hi Paulking...

Like you I am having this problem! You stated that you noticed it about a week ago. I'm wondering if there is an app to blame for that. Have you installed any apps lately? If so, would mind posting them?

I've heard someone say that they did a "set-up as new" on their iPhone and that it solved their problem but I have so many apps that I really don't want to have to set-up my device all over again.

I'd love to hear about any programs you've recently installed if any because we might be able to compare notes to see if we can solve the problem.

Thanks

Oct 19, 2010 1:42 PM in response to bkb1777

Posted this in another thread on the home button issue:

I've been having this problem for the last couple of weeks and I think its a software problem. Couple of observations.

1. I can always restore home button responsiveness by plugging in the charge cable, letting the phone sync, and unplugging it.

I figured out this morning that I can CAUSE the unresponsive home button by:

1. plugging in the charge/sync and letting it go through a whole sync cycle.
2. while the cable is plugged in, I turn the phone, unlock, and press the home button
3. unplug the cable cable
4. and now the home button is unresponsive

So, for me at least, I think that the unresponsive home button is related to charging/syncing. So, for now, I'll just make sure not to press the home button while the phone is plugged in.

If it gets worse or if iOS 4.2 doesn't fix it, I'll take it in...

Oct 19, 2010 2:00 PM in response to Injector

I'm adding myself to the list.
In the last period I've occasionally the double click and multitask bar appear.
I noticed only now this behavior.

For the rest my button work fine.

Apple can fix it by adding a double click a little bit slow. Now I think its too speedy and the micro witch of the button some times takes a double click. It can be happen sometimes on microswitch technology used on mouse buttons.

Proximity sensor, antenna and now the home buttons.
Great hardware quality....go apple go.

Alex

Oct 19, 2010 2:02 PM in response to masterzone

I think you are correct. I suspect this button is not software/hardware debounced, and that's causing the false double-clicks.

As I've said, since the home button is easily the most used mechanical switch, it should be very robust.

iPhone 4 Home button issue...