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can't turn 3g off on iPhone 4s

the option too turn off 3g seems not too be on this phone could you help me

iPhone 4, iOS 5

Posted on Oct 14, 2011 8:19 PM

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Posted on Oct 15, 2011 6:15 AM

It won't turn off. I've spoken to Apple. I'm gutted as the reception on 3G for calls is crap! I want my old iPhone 4 back!!

67 replies

Oct 15, 2011 11:39 AM in response to dave3389

After calling AT&T and being transfered to Apple support, the Apple tech basically just confirmed that the ability to disable 3G is missing on the iPhone 4S. The recommendation was to give feedback that you want this feature back at the Apple feedback page: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html. If you want this feature back, please go here and let Apple know!

Oct 15, 2011 10:41 PM in response to mj328

mj328-


You seem to misunderstand this. The issue is not whether to use WiFi at home or when out in a WiFi zone. They most certainly DID NOT just "rename the thing".


We are talking about cellular service here, for voice calls (primarily). If we turn off Cellular Data we have NO ability to make cellular calls.


The iPhone 4S is my ONLY phone. I need to be able to make calls anywhere. And I prefer to make them on the 2G/Edge network because it is more reliable where I am and that it uses less battery power.


Please pay more attention to the issue. Read Ice Machine's confirmation from AT&T. We currently have NO choice about using 2G/Edge or 3G. None.

Oct 16, 2011 12:44 AM in response to Andie2110

Andie2110 wrote:


It won't turn off. I've spoken to Apple. I'm gutted as the reception on 3G for calls is crap! I want my old iPhone 4 back!!

The thing is though, the 4S (and the iPhone 4 and every other smartphone) will automatically switch to an available connection type, so if the 3G coverage in your location is crap, then the 4S will switch to another connection method.

Oct 16, 2011 12:55 AM in response to SFMacNewbie

SFMacNewbie wrote:


The iPhone 4S is my ONLY phone. I need to be able to make calls anywhere. And I prefer to make them on the 2G/Edge network because it is more reliable where I am and that it uses less battery power.



If you are in a flaky 3G coverage area, the 4S will switch to 2G/EDGE. You would not be in a position whereby because of poor 3G coverage, you would not be able to make calls, in this scenario the 4S would switch to 2G/EDGE.


I've seen my iPhone 4 (the 4S will do the same) go from 1 to zero signal strength on 3G to 3-4 bars on EDGE in the same location.


Admittedly the option for the user to switch 3G off in an effort to save battery has been removed, but personally I don't this its that big of an issue. Most of the time I'm out of a 3G area (on EDGE GPRS) and I don't find the need to switch off 3G, if I did, then it would just mean that I would then need to go back into the settings on my iPhone and then re-enable it when in a 3G area. At least if I leave 3G on, it will get used when in a 3G area, and when not, it will use one of the other connection methods I've mentioned.

Oct 16, 2011 4:21 AM in response to ice machine

Thanks for that link. I've sent feedback. I believe Apple are guilty of MISREPRESENTATION as their web site page that compares iPhone models gives battery life on 2G for both the iPhone 4 AND iPhone 4S, implying that we CAN get 2G. I'm fed up with calls dropping out.


in addition, my battery life is dreadful. I left the phone on airplane mode last night with 75% battery left, only to check this morning to have only 55% left! And that's without any usage. My iPhone 4 used to drop only 1% (if that) when left overnight on airplane mode.

Oct 16, 2011 4:54 AM in response to mj328

Wow MJ328 - You really don't understand the difference between 3G and mobile data! And yet you preech to the rest of us that you know best.

So answer this then - How would I use EDGE or GPRS (2G) and not WiFi Nor 3G?


What? oh really? You can't do that on the iPhone 4s - Well done MJ328 with catching up with the rest of us!


To make this VERY clear and easy for you to understand on the iPhone4 there are 2 options - 1 to disable/enable 3G and one to disable/enable Cellular Data. Disabling 3G forces the iPhone4 to make use of 2G technologies such as EDGE and GPRS (signified by a E and a o in you status bar).


On the 4S the option to disable 3G whilst leaving mobile data enabled has been removed.

Now MJ328 - Would you like me to explain any of this in more detail to make it easier for you to understand?

Oct 16, 2011 7:34 PM in response to tal1971

Sorry tal1971, you don't understand the issue and your response is worthless. Nothing personal, just the facts. Prior to your post I stated that Apple removed the feature and people should give them feedback if it affects them. Why try to undermine that effort with a senseless post when you clearly don't even understand the issue?


As stated in my previous post:

After calling AT&T and being transfered to Apple support, the Apple tech basically just confirmed that the ability to disable 3G is missing on the iPhone 4S. The recommendation was to give feedback that you want this feature back at the Apple feedback page: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html. If you want this feature back, please go here and let Apple know!


Further suggestions to fix the issue with the same arguements I've seen over and over are really not needed any longer. Thanks for the help, but Apple will have to fix this...and will probably only do so if enough people complain where they can hear it (the link above).

can't turn 3g off on iPhone 4s

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