iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random

Question

iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random

Hi,

I've been using an iPhone 4 on a Vodafone contract for the past 16 month and just bought an iPhone 4S direct from Apple. It arrived on Friday morning and I got it set up correctly as far as I can tell.

When I first turn it on, it works lovely and exactly as I would expect, able to make calls, send texts and access the internet via the cellular network. However, at what appears to be random, the network will disappear (no bars of signal) stopping me making calls and texts, but still allowing me to access the internet. Sometimes, the Internet goes, but I can still make calls and texts. Other times, everything is gone and I get "No Signal" where it normally says Vodafone UK.

So when trying to fix this problem after it's noticed, I try putting it into Airplane mode and back out. The phone scans for a network and goes back to the same state as before I tried this fix. I have tried resetting network settings, but this doesn't change anything. The only thing that actually fixes it temporarily is turning the phone right off and back on again.

At this stage I assume this is a bug with the software, but I wondered if anyone else is experiencing anything like this? If no one is, I will take it up with Apple, but I don't really want to do that as I love the new phone so much!!

Cheers, Stuart

iMac (late 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.3), 27" i7 Quad-Core, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD

Posted on Oct 16, 2011 2:53 AM

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Answer 1

cjbiom

Level 1

6 points

Oct 16, 2011 2:55 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I've had it too, got my phone Friday and swapped it Saturday.

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2011 2:57 AM in response to cjbiom

Has the new one shown any similar behaviour?

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2011 3:08 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I too have noticed the dropping of signal with the 4S. I was very surprised as I was under the impression the 4S was improved when it came to signal.

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Answer 4

cjbiom

Level 1

6 points

Oct 16, 2011 3:17 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

No, it seems all good so far.

But I definitley had that problem, airplane mode wouldnt do anything. Full on/off of the phone was only way to get signal back.

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Answer 5

Oct 16, 2011 3:22 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Having the same problem.

I got the 4s yesterday and it was working fine until today when I dropped signal/3G and its "searching" forever.

I tried doing a restore and it works for about an hour and goes back into "searching." I'm thinking I will probably have to get it replaced, which ***** because the stores are probably out for the next few weeks.

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Answer 6

Oct 16, 2011 4:01 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Same here with 4s and Telekom :( . First I used a backup, then I restored it completely 3 times, nothing seems to help. Also switched SIM cards, didn't help either

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Answer 7

L2C2002

Level 1

14 points

Oct 16, 2011 4:02 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Same issue here in Germany with T-Mobile.

The only way to overcome this is to disable the SIM PIN.

Not a real solution but that solves the issues for now.

Cheers

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Answer 8

Oct 16, 2011 4:10 AM in response to L2C2002

Wow, you genius!! I don't like the idea of not having a SIM PIN, but I expect it will be resolved in time. I just turned off the SIM PIN and the phone instantly found a signal for both the network and the internet! This also explains why only a reboot of the phone resolves it as that's the only time the phone asks for a PIN again. I expect this is caused by the dual-antenae that the 4S is using. Anyway - I'm happy to go SIM PIN free until the issue is resolved. Thanks!!!

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Answer 9

Oct 16, 2011 7:01 AM in response to L2C2002

Wow, this totally did it! It also helped with a few other problems I had because of the new multisim card (not receiving any Text messages for example)

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Answer 10

Ceezy LC

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2011 9:32 AM in response to L2C2002

Im having same problem! Picked up my iPhone first thing friday morning, worked fine until 5oclock, and ever since then it iv not been able to use my phone outside of our wifi area. Really frustrating! How do you disable SIM PIN? Does this fix the problem, or am i going to have to take it into Apple for a repair/swap..

Cheers.

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Answer 11

Oct 16, 2011 9:38 AM in response to Ceezy LC

Yes, it does work! If you repair/swap, you'll have exactly the same issues as it's a software bug for sure.

You disable the SIM PIN by going to Settings >> Phone >> SIM PIN then sliding the SIM PIN switch to Off. It may want to know your current PIN number which you should already know as your phone will be asking you for it every time you start it up.

If this doesn't solve your issue, you have some other issue than the one described here.

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Answer 12

Oct 16, 2011 7:49 PM in response to L2C2002

Awesome. Works perfect now.

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Answer 13

Oct 17, 2011 1:19 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

well i have NEVER had a sim pin on my phone and it is doing these same actions.. The only way I got it to stop was to turn of 3G which basically cuts your internet off. It is the only way to still receive calls and text messages but early tomorrow morning I WILL be returning the phone!

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Answer 14

Oct 17, 2011 4:58 AM in response to DJ Hollygrove

You obviously don't have an iPhone 4S if you are able to turn off 3G as that option isn't available on the 4S!

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Answer 15

Oct 17, 2011 6:10 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

And u obviously don't know what you are talking about! On the AT&T iphone4S with the Siri and A5 chip I do have an option to enable 3G maybe your phone doesn't but mine

Does! No jailbreak or custom firmware just basic ios5!

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