What exactly does "Reset Network Settings" do?

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What exactly does "Reset Network Settings" do?

I have found, ever since I've had my iPhone for about a year and a half, that it is often very slow to connect to the 3G network, even if it indicates at the top of the screen that it has found the 3G network. This is especially true after leaving a Wi-Fi zone. At least half the time, it won't even connect to the internet on 3G after losing the Wi-Fi connection. (For example, leaving my house, or a hot spot.) Hard rebooting the phone will always correct the problem, but of course this takes several minutes. Similar story when driving across town - it doesn't seem to jump from tower to tower seemlessly.

I don't know if it's iPhone or ATT. I was wondering if doing a "Reset Network Settings" under Settings-General-Reset might help. What all might this mess up on the phone if I push this?

Thanks,

Marcel

iPhone 3GS, iOS 4.3.2

Posted on Jun 29, 2011 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 15, 2011 10:57 AM in response to Marcel Levi

I have this problem as well, but it didn't start until I had the phone for three months. I was doing the hard reboot to solve the problem, but you are right it takes several minutes to accomplish this. I have found that if I turn airplane mode on then off again it also solves the problem and is quicker. However, you have to allow about 30 seconds to a minute to for the phone to come back online and find your provider with the 3G network. It's quicker than a hard reboot, but still a pain to have to do everytime you leave a WiFi zone. I did the Reset Network Settings but this only worked for me once, and the phone continued to have the same problem the next time I left my WiFi zone. As far as I know I didn't mess anything up on my phone by reseting the network settings. I have also tried a full system restore while connected to iTunes and this also didn't solve the problem. I have contacted my service provider and they claim it's an Apple problem. My next course of action is to contact Apple through my Apple Care program and see if they have any solutions. Please keep my posted if you have found a solution and I will do the same.

Alexis

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