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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

evoRC

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2010 1:37 AM in response to MBP619

I can confirmed this is not a software issue! I replaced my iPhone 4 becaus of the Kathy response sometimes nothing home button. It was also Lois which clicks when partially pressing. I couldn't take it anymore so I got a ne one. While waiting I chcjed the demo ip4 and notice some have a wiggly loos home button. So I mare sure I got a replacement with no movement at all when trying to move. The one I got is so ight it won't move at all not even a bit! The result? No more unrecognized clicks! It is so responsive not once did press wasn't recognize. Maybe 4.1 has something to to with it who knows but if your menu button is loos why even waste our time? Replace it and see what I mean. Btw my new phone is running 4.1not once the problem occur.

evoRC

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2010 10:27 AM in response to evoRC

I can confirmed this is not a software issue! I replaced my iPhone 4 because of the laggy response sometimes nothing home button. It was also loose which clicks when partially pressing. I couldn't take it anymore so I got a replacement. While waiting I checked the demo ip4s and noticed some have a wiggly loose home button and some tight with no movement. So I made sure I got a replacement with no movement at all when trying to move. The one I got is so tight it won't move at all not even a bit! The result? No more unrecognized clicks! It is so responsive not once did a press wasn't recognize. Maybe 4.1 has something to to with it who knows but if your menu button is loose why even waste our time? Replace it and see what I mean. Btw my new phone is running 4.1 not once the problem occur.

Nov 5, 2010 11:12 AM in response to evoRC

i think, you are right. I have today update to 4.2 and the home button issues stay. next week i send my iphone back to apple.

Nov 5, 2010 2:58 PM in response to evoRC

I have to agree with you now. I originally posted that I thought it was software. Yesterday I did a restore to factory new because the button was driving me crazy. I had to press the button sometimes eight times to get out of an app, forget about double tapping to switch apps, I haven't been able to do that for some time now. Yesterday I finally had enough and drove the 60 miles to the Apple Store. The Apple Genius put me on his schedule and I was able to talk to him 10 minutes later. He started pressing the button trying to duplicate the problem. Out of twenty or so button presses, the iPhone registered only one click. He replaced it on the spot. I'm really happy to be able to use my iPhone 4 normally again. For the men out there that have a wife that "doesn't get the iPhone thing", nothing is worse then having her ask you to take a photo of something "right quick" and you can't get out of the phone app to use the camera. It's a bad day when she says, "never mind, I can buy a disposable camera and take the picture faster then that iPhone." Dang 🙂

Nov 5, 2010 3:06 PM in response to Mark Farner

Problem is, your new one has a chance to develop the same problem over time. As I've said in an earlier post, the button is a known source of mechanical issues. It has a tendency to get dust lodged inside, and I think mechanically it's not well-designed for heavy usage and many actuations over the long term. Since we are forced to use this button constantly, we don't have a choice.

Amazing to me how much Apple spends on the case design, screen resolution, etc. but use a lousy mechanical switch that wears out and breaks.

If it were up to me, I'd consider a slightly recessed touch-actuated Home button.

Nov 6, 2010 2:11 AM in response to ScuseMe

Tat really good for ya! Not like mine. Dun even know is software or hardware problem.

Nov 6, 2010 9:28 PM in response to rmurph

Same problem with me, or even worse: sometimes I need to push home button 2~3 times to get out of an application.
I went to Apple Store yesterday and Genius guys agreed it's hardware related and going to replace the mainboard of my Iphone4 when the spare mainboard is available. But since I never noticed this problem before upgrading to 4.1, I am not sure whether I should wait to try 4.2, or just get it repaired.

Anyway, get very strange that an iphone4 needed to replace the mainboard only after using 2 months... Hope it's software issue and 4.2 can fix anything.

Nov 7, 2010 8:00 AM in response to carrollyon

No, 4.2 DONT fix the issue! I have the new software since yesterday and the problem is the same. Now i think, it is definitely the hardware. i`ll make an replacement.

Nov 7, 2010 8:26 AM in response to carrollyon

I am curious why they didn't just give you a new iPhone instead of repairing it. Everyone I've talked to that took theirs into Apple received a new iPhone on the spot.

carrollyon wrote:
"I went to Apple Store yesterday and Genius guys agreed it's hardware related and going to replace the mainboard of my Iphone4 when the spare mainboard is available"

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Nov 7, 2010 8:28 AM in response to bkb1777

Something doesn't sound quite right here. I don't think they would do a repair like that. Normally they just replace the unit.

bkb1777 Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 8, 2010 6:12 PM in response to bibo24

I called apple support today and they are sending me a new phone. Or like new? I am sending them this one back. Thats pretty much as far as I could get. What does everyone think? Anyone else had this done? I hope the next one doesn't have this home button issue.

LocalBus

Level 1

4 points

Nov 9, 2010 8:22 PM in response to bkb1777

I have this problem after updated to 4.1

i thought is the software problem, and restore again for 4.1

but the problem get worst, press 1 time it goes to task list, sometime press, it got no respond, sometime it works.

Bring back to malaysia telco but they click and click say is not a problem...

seems like apple standard is dropping from bad to worst .. never happen to previous iphone..

Nov 9, 2010 11:34 PM in response to LocalBus

Yes this is wat happen to me when i bring to my telecom cuz on the spot when they check, my hm button is seems working fine at tat moment and tat y they give u those stupid advice! Actually u should insist on the spot! For me still waitin for the stock so i can exchange a good 1.

Nov 9, 2010 11:40 PM in response to jackbrabham

Thanks. Then I will not wait for 4.2 any more.
I think I need get it repaired. It's getting worse now. I even ran into another problem yesterday: black screen, always shaking, no response to power/home button at all. I finally get it recovered by restoring.

Not sure why they need to repair it instead of providing a new one... because I am not so handsome??

bibo24

Level 1

5 points

Nov 10, 2010 7:34 PM in response to bkb1777

Has anyone actually taken the iPhone back to the Apple Store with only this problem? If so, what did they say? Did they replace the unit?

iPhone 4 Home button issue...