Q: How do I turn off 3G on the iPhone 4S?

Just to try and clarify... irrespective of toggling or not - if the problem is that the device tries to hang on to a 3G signal when 2G is better I can understand to some degree - BUT I get the distinct impression that the device is incapable of detecting that the 3G network may be BUSY or at FULL CAPACITY - irrespective of signal strength and maybe another facet of the problem - one would have thought the device should move to 2G in that scenario too - but does not seem to. This, perhaps, is even more critical an issue. The recent occasion sthat I have been non-contactable despite apparent good 3G signal have been in areas of high pedestrian levels which would suggest capacity issue on local 3G network (this was also the case with my partner's 3GS). I can live with low signal at times - often it can be usable - but a device that stays bolted to a set of channels that are NOT available is a disgrace.

And your network, locally where you are, is relevant, how? Wouldn't that be an issue you should take up with your network? Why wouldn't you begin there? Complaining here doesn't change your network.

I think the only solution for people who are facing 3G issues is to get the carrier to de-activate 3G on the SIM. The phone then does not even try to look for 3G signal and all 3G  related issues get resolved. 2G internet, though slower is still workable - SIRI works comforable enough for me.

Then the next step for those of us who cannot wait for either Apple to come out with a OS upgrade promise or the carrier to upgrade its network, is to try create sufficient public opinion backlash to force Apple to accept returns.

TO TRANSMOGRIFICATION:The fact that carrier de-activation of 3G works like a 3G toggle (my carrier, fortunately, is ready to toggle 3G services  within 5 min of request) shows that software option for introducing 3G toggle remains.

You should read the terms of service for this user support forum regarding "Speculations or rumors about unannounced products and discussions of Apple policies or procedures or speculation on Apple decisions."

As far as a 3G/2G toggle on a cell phone, that would only apply to deactivating a UMTS/HSPA radio to force a cell phone to EDGE/GPRS and that only applies to GSM technologies cellphones. This is not a feature for CDMA 2000 technology phones as there is only one radio to handle all cell phone duties and deactivating 3G would deactivate the entire radio, so such a toggle doesn't work. Not all GSM 3G networks have a 2G network to fall back on. The iPhone 4S is a hybrid cellphone.

Understanding the technology involved is important here. The toggle doesn't exist on the iPhone 4S. This is a user to user forum. Apple has a feedback form for product feature suggestions:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

The chip has an output to tell if the connection is 3G or 2G based, FieldTest can recognize if the connection is UMTS or GSM and iOS can trigger carrier scan so there should be a software solution.

If you like the look of this...

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You never know, once emailed to Apple, they may listen :¬)

Please read the terms of service for Apple Support forums.

iOS 5.0.1 build 9A406 is available like a Christmas gift: it's wide open for everybody to have a chance for a closer look instead of speculation whether it's possible to get the 3G button back or not.

aneagle,

How did you get a copy of it, is it on your phone and what do you mean it is wide open?

When I checked for the Build 9A406 update it tells me my 9A405 is up to date. (???)

I believe he is referring to the beta for iOS 5.1.x, not iOS 5.0.1 and it is out in beta to developers and beta testers. So naturally some of these people have released it to torrents, etc. and some people jump at the chance to try it then when it mucks up their phone they come here to try to find out how to roll back.

One way to get it is deleteing the build 9A405 from iTunes Library and restore the 4s, iTunes will download the 5.0.1(9A406). Direct download from usual Apple iOS download link is available to everybody. It's wide open to Mac.

deggie,

I thought he was referring to this on AppleInsider; Apple issued a tweaked version of iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4S users.

The article does mention it is still called 5.0.1 but the build number has been raised from 9A405 to 9A406.

But if your are an-eagle you see things from on high.

Google give you the official direct download link. The beauty of it is you can look into the package before you decide to put it onto your phone.

No, you are correct just came back from looking it up, it is for the 4s and Apple TV only (4.4.4) and I have neither although they are mentioning a "re-released" 9A405. From what I can read it does not add a 3G switch but is supposed to impact battery life.

aneagle,

I think I am going to pass... I did down load it from a German site earlier today. It was all zipped up and when I un-zipped it there was so much stuff I didn't have a clue what to do with it.

Unless someone comes up with a very simple way of doing it I don't have the Gazongas to try it on my own. With my luck and skill my iPhone would probably end up a brick or revert back to the battery monster it once was.

But thanks for the tip.