iPhone 4 Home button issue...

do not waste your time. there is some temp solutions but no any software based or any cleaning based alchol etc solves the problem. it get worse days by days, this temp solutions do not work at all. so need to go certied technical service and chnage home button. I did all and after home button chnage it works very well for more than two months. it is a pity that Apple is still blind to this critical problem and peopel are looking for other solutions.

Just rubbed some alcohol into the button and pressed it a few times to work it in (with iPhone4 turned off). Booted and tested: better but not perfect. Shut off the phone and repeated the steps a few more times, using very little alcohol each time. Rebooted. Now the button works like new. This may be a temp fix, but I am happy with the results right now!!!

Its been 5 days and its still working almost perfectly, sometimes you have to press it twice or a bit harder but I can live with that, I have ordered a new home button from ebay for £0.99 just incase it fails again but I will avoid changing if I can.

Seriously sucking it might help, make sure that you get a good seal around the button and try it a few times, you got nothing to lose.

Apple is a good company with good products, but this policy "this is not a malfunction" its a BS, just say "ok, we mess up, the button is defective and we well change all, sorry for that", and do this all around the world, not just in the US, like the bump case history, after all, all devices came from the same place.

I don't know who is in charge for this, I mean, who can press the button, sign the autorization to change defective pieces, but just do it, BTW, I do not want to know, cause this MF is givin me crazy with this button issue.

Just to complete, my Macbook had a lot of problems too, Apple is getting some bad companies to buy components.

I found an intersting solution which worked for me. When the charger is plugged into the iphone, tilt the charger gently upward while pressing the home button and it starts to work perfectly. If you do the opposite the button goes to unresponsive state again. Which makes me think that iphone is kind of poorly built.

I'm taking mine back had it since end if November I've been using my 3GS until I can get it to genius bar to swap feels very loose almost like if I press it to hard it might pop out. Is this a reall common issue with new iPhones? If it is I'll sell and get a different handset. Not happy with it.

I cleaned my home button with alcol and now it works very well...

I've been watching this topic for a while (and posted a while ago).

It seems that some 'fixes' work for some and not for others.

I feel the only permanent fix is to have it replaced, I however don't have the skill to do it myself and am reluctant to pay to have it done.

My fix works and TBH I don't have to do it that often.

I have cut the dock connector off an old Firewire/dock connector cable I had and keep it in my pocket, it's only small and if the button starts playing up I just put it in and lift it slightly, not ideal but my button works and it's cost me nothing.

As a matter of interest does anyone know if the button will get upgraded/replaced to a better one?
I'd be interested in getting my button changed then.

I've been having the same problem and almost applied all the corrections you mention, even smashed the iPhone 4 but didn't seem to work. Finally I read about the solution of connecting the usb cable to the device and lifting up a little and that seemed to be the right one.

That happens, personally talking, because when I connect the iPhone to any kind of cradle, speakers, etc. don't do it in the right position and it gradually damages the charging dock port of the device.

I also have this problem but unlike yourself, I find this an extremely irritating problem as I often simply cannot use the device without it taking an age! Sometimes I stand and stab away at the wretched home button for minutes at a time before it will react. Does anyone know of a solution to this problem?

Hi Spamos,

I presume its and iPhone 4 and out of Warrantee, Put your lips around the home button making sure you get a good seal and blow and suck a few times, repeat until it starts working but its not a permanent fi and will go again in time.

It’s also worth taking it to the apple store sometimes they replace it for free even when its out of warrantee.

If you are good with a screw driver and aren’t afraid of taking your phone apart you can get a button off eBay for less than £1, YouTube has a lot of videos on how to disassemble your phone. But be careful and do it your own risk I am not taking any responsibility for any damage you might cause by taking it apart.

have fun with your superexpansive tool where the most important button doesn't even work properly after 4 generations LOL!

I am sooo glad that I bought an SII instead of an Iphone...

I also had this issue on my ipod touch 4g. I sent it to apple and they fixed it, even works now (I rarely use it though). So if you still got warranty you should really contact support via Internet, you will even get a new Iphone/ipod (refurbished).

I am sorry for all those who don't have warranty anymore. Just don't rub wodka or any non pure alcohol in it since it also contains water which can damage your Ipod and can propably make parts inside corrode.

The home button issue looks like a mechanical issue to me. Since when did this happen? Might just have a tech to take a look at it. It's not something serious I guess.

This ridiculous issue exists since 1th generation ipod and also exists in 5th generation. It looks like they didn't change homebutton mechanic ever.

I have the same problem but with my iPod 4th Generation it is using the latest version of iOS which is 5.0.1, it has only just been occuring during the past couple of months, but has gotten worse since the update, I've had it just over two years now, I have contacted Apple but I've had no luck with them.

Has anyone had the same issue but with the iPod's?

Hope someone can help, or have any suggestions.

Thanks 🙂