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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

1,022 replies

Nov 12, 2011 12:51 PM in response to christianfromfinspång

That´s what i´m also talking about!

Apple respond! People can´t use their phones, you´re products that we pay a lot of money for!

Kosiak

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2011 12:56 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Apple is still quite...

Honestly speaking, I was really in big love to Apple products, their devices were easy/friendly and nice working, but right now after this problem with GSM network, I am feeling that my loves is going down.

I am not promoting it to my friends&colleagues, my 4S is not working at all - it`s showing GSM signal bars, but not working in case of SMS/Call...

I do not know for how long it will be... I have my old iPhone 4 on the table, but I do not want to use it after this issue.

In any case, I am interested, if this Apple guys can fix trouble faster.

Nov 12, 2011 1:02 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Okay, now I've had iOS 5.0.1 for about 2 days.

This problem has become A LOT worse for me. A lot more failed texts and failed calls.

And one NEW problem, when I wake up in the morning the phone says the SIM is failed.

I have to restart the phone in order to make it go away.

Please Apple, fix this!!!

Nov 12, 2011 1:03 PM in response to Kosiak

Have done a complete reset tonight and it's currently set to data on and seems stable, but for some reason I'm not currently getting a full 3G signal, just the hollow circular symbol. Is that edge?

I'm also monitoring the battery life. Will let you all know if the network starts dropping again.

Kosiak

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2011 1:04 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I have "invalid SIM" report every morning as well - I need make restart, that to make calls for 20-30 minutes....

Later the same trouble as well.

Nov 12, 2011 1:17 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

hello,

Having the same issues with my 4S in Turkey since the update to iOS5.0.1. I keep losing signal, I can't text or even call, i need to turn off then on the phone so it works for a couple minutes. Sad.

my carrier (turkcell - turkey)

I use iphone 4s.the battery finished in 20 hours.

althought the wifi,location services,Siri program is off, the battery

finished to early When the wifi, location service and the Siri Program is

open but the GSM is closed the battery does not finished early. The

problem is from the GSM services.please answer my email urgently..

Nov 12, 2011 1:26 PM in response to albertqui

When I think about it, I can also add that one to the list: "SIM failed"

Nov 12, 2011 1:28 PM in response to serkankekec

battery drains becuse looking for network all the time! but its nice to own a 1000 dollar ipod.

This *****, i had a HTC device before, there was a problem with software and battery drain, HTC acknowledged it in 24 hours and said we will fix it, it took one week but at least they spoke about it, we knew they where working on it so that was better, here what do we do? send our phones back? change carrier? i tried three difefrent no one works.

Or do we buy a new phone? Apple customer service *****, they should take some money from their false advertising and spend on customer support.

Nov 12, 2011 1:33 PM in response to christianfromfinspång

They really should start waking up! This is the second iPhone model in a row that has serious problems, this bigheaded behaviour or should we call it "policy" to not answer customers when in trouble is starting to annoy a lot of people. That is a sure way to seriously start losing customers! "Let´s pretend there aren´t any problems, that way they never really exist" Or?

Nov 12, 2011 1:36 PM in response to PetriFromStockholm

my daughters huwai phone for 100 dollars is better then this. i am sooooo frustrated with Apple, and calling customer support you just get their standard answers they read of a monitor! and its impossible to get to speak to someone who actually knows anything about the phone!

Nov 12, 2011 1:45 PM in response to PetriFromStockholm

I have an idea. Maybe Apple will acknowledge this if we post as many replys as possible.

Nov 12, 2011 2:00 PM in response to albertqui

i doubt it, i think they know, but refuse to answer or dare not since they first would like to find out wheter they have a faulty manufactured phone.... when they have that they will probably come out and say something, but i think when buying a phone for 1000 dollars one could expect it could send sms or make phonecalls....

Nov 12, 2011 2:53 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I'm in a caribbean island, since iOS5, my iphone 4S had trouble with battery drain, invalid sim card and lose network randomly😐. Since iOS5.0.1 things are getting worse 😕with carrier ans losing 3G network like it's freezing, just being obliged to turn it off and on when Airplande Mode is not working😢...that's a pity, those updates should fix problems not letting them running again or worse ! I'm so disapointed😢, i'm using it professionnaly and it's not working for me being off carrier like that randomly, i'm so stressed i'm looking at the screen every minute to check is network or simcard is not telling me simcard error etc...😠

Just want to say that i've restored with fresh install of iOS5.0.1 no OTA update....

Vilo-SVK

Level 1

0 points

Nov 12, 2011 3:08 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Same here. Got constant "No Service" message. Cant make or receive calls. Tried to restore, no remedy. Got my iPhone 4S exchanged twice (on my 3rd piece now) and all were useless. They should shoot whoever gave permission to release iOS 5.0 and 5.0.1 in such buggy state. Successfully selling iPod for 800 EUR is trully a work of magic on marketing department's part. Applause!

Nov 12, 2011 3:30 PM in response to albertqui

Don´t think we have to. This thread will grow naturally as more and more people get tired of having an expensive phone that does not work.

iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random