Q: iPhone 4S unable to turn off 3G?!

When your phone is connected in iTunes, it lists your space on iPhone for apps, music, photos, etc. One usage is called "other."

wiredzen wrote:

 

Really? You're complaing about using 3G over Edge? Do you complain about having to use a Macbook instead of a typewriter? High-speed ethernet instead of dial-up? Apple is progressing with the tech and times; 2G is growing obsolete. At some point they stop supporting old tech. Deal with it.

 

Oh, and support pages are not for emotional counseling to help you overcome spoiled temper tantrums. It's tech support - write to Apple with your grievances. We can't changes this for you. Quit wasting server time with your gripes.

 

Also, using wifi is not going to run down the battery like 3G. So either someone isn't on wifi, or they've got a flawed iPhone. When wifi is available, I use it, and my battery life is outstanding.

What nice reply. Are you a psychotherapist?

I agree. I sent Apple feedback through their site on this (www.apple.com/feedback). It's useful to have, particularly if 3G is weak where you are using the phone. Plus, it's a software update that's easily done. If enough people send them feedback, then they'll do something about it.

This is most certainly NOT an ios5 issue but is limited to the 4S my husband has ios5 on his iPhone 4 and still has the facility to turn off 3G, whereas my iPhone 4S does not. Simples!

How rude are you???

I have the same issue.  On both my new 4S and my upgraded iPad2, I cannot switch off 3G data coverage to wifi.  In the device settings, my wifi network name appears  for a couple seconds, then changes to "Not Connected", a couple seconds later my network name appears again, only to disappear a couple seconds later.  It is a never ending cycle.  This was not an issue on my iPad2 prior to my conversion.  The Apple tech that I spoke to this afternoon told me that it could be a hardware issue on both devices.  I don't think so. 

Also, did I mention that my new iPhone battery life (with minimal usage) is only 16 hours?  I've also seen some other strange issues such as the albums and icons in my itunes library on my iPad mixing up.  The best of Frank Sinatra''s album photo is now associated with The Beatle's Let it Be.  Yea, there are some kinks to work out.

"iPhone 4S: The option to enable or disable 3G is not available." from http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4203

SEND FEEDBACK TO APPLE

I certaily understand the issue. Since the first 3G iPhone I have the same issue while at my house. 3G coverage is just weak enough at my home that the Edge network doesn't swtich and even when it does calls are dropped. The solution for me since 3G was available on the iPhone was to simply put the phone in the Edge mode when I am at home. Phone calls work for me then and WiFi can be used for data related needs.

So now I'm stuck. The phone will not function as a phone for me while at my house and I can't force the phone to Edge where it operates as a phone reasonablly well. And since I work out of my home this is a huge issue.

Bottom line is I urge as many people as possible to send feeback to Apple and voice your concerns. Hopefully they can fix this with a software update --- if not I'm afraid my 4S will have to be returned.

I called apple care on Tuesday. The person acted surprised that this was an issue. She didn't know what to tell me. She said she would look into it and we arranged a call back for later that day. I never got a call back.

I'm not interested nor am I willing to take up with ATT the poor 3G coverage in my congested metropolitan area. The poor coverage goes back to when they were Cingular. I don't expect a coverage fix from ATT.

What has historically worked for me is to simply turn 3G off to make a voice call. Problem solved. I don't have dropped calls and I can turn 3G on after my call has ended.  I've done this for years.

What I want to know from apple is if they plan a software fix to restore the ability to turn 3G off and on. That's it. I just want the toggle back. 

I called apple again today. The person I spoke with said there is no one in the apple industry that would be able to answer my question. He put me on hold and when he came back he told me what others have suggested in this thread: to turn cellular data off to make a phone call.  Doing so takes you to pure analogue before 3g and 2g, before text messaging and emails and smartphones.  It primitively takes you back to when a phone was just a phone that you could call on. 

He, like the other rep, suggested I talk to ATT.  Like I said, the coverage has always been this way and a phone call to them is not a magic fix. 3G on ATT ***** for voice calls plain and simple. 

I have not yet turned off cellular data to make a phone call. However, this is not an acceptable choice for me being that I have a smartphone and pay for a data plan. If I leave 3G off, my phone still functions the same, albeit slower.  Turning cellular data off disables everything but making and receiving phone calls.

Apple just released a statement saying there will be a software release to fix bugs regarding battery drain "in a few weeks."  Can we, collectively, make enough noise to include the 3G toggle in the software update?

I have called apple twice and I've submitted feedback. I hope the rest of you are too.

For me, I realize nothing will be fixed within the next ten days of the period I have to return my phone. 

Game over, Apple. You've failed. You've lost my money and my enthusiasm. 

I have 5.0.1 the 'battery fix siftware' installed and the toggle is not there. Don't hold out hope for it.

Sorry.

I don't expect a fix anytime soon, if ever.  I just checked and 5.0 is the current version for me still.

We had some heavy rain in the UK yesterday. Lost my 3G signal completely at the office.

My 4S failed to switch to 2G. Looked around at my colleague's iPhone 3GS and 4 and they were fine and had 2G Signal.

Can't believe 5.01 does not bring a fix to this. I'm beyond ****ed Off with this.

There will be a significant number of 4S handsets being returned.

Maybe this is the beginning of the end for Apple? Pulling this kind of nonsense will sway people towards Android and M$

Just been on the phone to Apple tech support, guy wasn't even aware that you can't turn off 3G on 4S, so after patiently waiting for apple to update and fix this, I have now been informed that I cannot return my 4S as it is now outside the 14 day policy cos it was bought directly from apple, (30 days if you get it throu a service provider)

Sooooo peeeed off about this.

I would make a laundry list of reasons why your iPhone 4s should be returned. Apple should be bending over backwards at this point. I wouldn't accept a denial to return it. Every customer deserves an exception. That is a retail motto.

I reactivated my iPhone 4 and restored the 4s to factory setting. It will be boxed up and returned this weekend.  I'm over it. The magic meter started to wane when Steve Jobs died.   I'm disappointed to have to return the 4s. Yesterday, Siri couldn't connect to the network each time I tried.

Battery drain

Inability to turn 3G off

Siri conection problems

Syncing loop that doesn't end.

Phone returned.

Here in Philippines, iphone is locked to Globe Telecoms... no factory unlocked here unless you buy your iphone in gray markets or from nearby countries who offer factory unlocked iphones like hongkong.. Globe Telecoms here in philippines is serving their clients poorly.... when you are in 3G (i currently have an iphone3G ), calls are always dropped or cant connect calls due to poor 3G signal.. at this moment, THE ONLY THING TO DO IS TO TURN OFF THE 3G..then,you can make clear calls. How can we do that now with 4s if there's no option to toggle off? NOT UNLESS APPLE WILL OFFER FACTORY UNOCKED HERE IN PHILIPPINES OR END CONTRACT TO GLOBE TELECOMS, iPhone 4S will not make it here... its a great product but apple contracted with a poor telecom company... it is a partnership Apple!!! I dont careabout battery usage, i always carry my charger... its just having a clear conversation is a 1st consideration on a phone.. APPLE, PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!!