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

Reply
1,022 replies

Nov 17, 2011 3:51 AM in response to Ege Altuner

sorry guys, this reply is going to be in turkish but it will not be different from my other replies to this thread, more or less 128 k microsim card advice... 🙂


merhabalar ege, "invalid sim" hatası benim de 5.0.1'e geçmeden önce arada sırada karşılaştığım bir hataydı. açıkçası ios 5.0 kullanırken telefonu kapatıp açtıktan sonra problem ortadan kalktığı için göz ardı ediyordum... velhasıl, 5.0.1'i yükledikten sonra telefon kullanılamaz oldu ve ** hata yine arada sırada çımaya başladı, hoş çıkmasa da zaten telefon kullanılamıyordu...


neredeyse herşeyi denedim, telefona kendi üzerinden reset attım, itunes üzerinden reset attım, sim şifresini kaldırdım, eski işletim sistemini yüklemeye çalıştım, kırk takla attım ama bir şey değişmedi...


sonuçta yine burada da yazan bir kaç kişinin tavsiyesi üzerine sim kartımı değiştirmeye karar verdim, benim daha öncedden kullandığım kart, büyük olan nuh-u nebiden kalma ve ** telefonu aldığımda kesilmiş olan sim karttı... pazartesi günü turkcell'den 128 k yeni bir mikrosim aldım ve o gündür en ufak derdim yok, telefon problemsiz çalışıyor, ağa bağlanmakta problem olmadığı için telefon bir şarjla daha uzun da dayanıyor...


her şeyi denediysen ve telefonunda hala problem varsa, benim tavsiyem operatöründen 128 k bir mikrosim alman, benim problemlerimi çözdü... 🙂

Nov 17, 2011 7:11 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Contacted Apple today and they are sending me a replacement. As much as a pain as it is to replace the phone I can't fault Apple on their customer service as it was a no questions asked replacement!! Although it would have been nice had they acknowledged the fact that it is a common problem amongst the phone!!


Will post once new phone has arrived (approximately 7 working days!)

Nov 17, 2011 8:17 AM in response to CorkLad910

I contacted Apple this monday, explained our problem, asked if they had heard about it or had read the threads in Apple Support Communities – no they had not, but they were seemingly not surprised – and, according to their customer politics – it is Apples task to solve your problems with Apple products – they offered to send a new phone, without asking. Very, very nice conversation and very courteous, I am happy to say they are masters of customer service! The newphone arrived today!! I set it up, and – no I did not update to iOS 5.0.1 – have no problems whatsoever with missed phone calls or missed network. I am happily waiting for iOS 5.0.2 which is supposedly around the corner. 🙂

Nov 17, 2011 12:33 PM in response to bushmills

Hi Everyone!


I got a new micro SIM 32K from my carrier today and it did the job on my 4S. It has been approximately 8 - 10hrs and no call drops, no failed sent messages no nothing. Crystal clear call quality and simply perfect.


The problem is definitely in the new iOS5.0.1. Apple really have put us in great discomfort but again there is always a way round it. Will keep you updated of any further issues - if any but hope not - arise from my 4S.


Regards

Nov 17, 2011 11:40 PM in response to KarachiJazzy

asked if they had heard about it or had read the threads in Apple Support Communities – no they had not

This words are really scared me.Does it mean that Apple doesnt know this problem and they might not fix it in 5.0.2.

My phone is totally useless at the momen.I lost signal many times, I get invalid sim error many times.I need to check my screen every 10mins to see error and to restart phone which is so boring for me 😟

You make me upset Apple

Nov 18, 2011 12:15 AM in response to Ege Altuner

Update on my situation: I took my phone in tonight with full intent to exchange it for an HTC Android phone of the same caliber. The guy said I should try to fully restore it. Seeing all of these guys with no success doing exactly this, I didn't try it because it is a pain and I had stuff from 3 years ago on my phone that I didn't want to lose. Being that I had prepared to just throw in the towel and trade it in, I said sure, go ahead. So he does it and a few minutes later, hands me back a phone that works...luckily I got my contacts and some stuff back from iCloud. My phone has been working normally for the past 4 hours, for the first time in nearly 4 days. I'll see if my wifi problem is cured when I get to work tomorrow too, but so far everything is good! Honestly, I'm kinda glad I didn't have to get rid of it. After seeing the HTC phones in person, I was going to be sad to say bye to my iPhone. Let's just hope it's fixed, I'll update ASAP. The thing has been an absolute nightmare for the last 4 days, almost like it had a virus...but I got a new sim card 2 days ago, had at&t reprovision my account earlier today, and did a complete reset tonight and now all seems well. Good luck to you guys!

Nov 18, 2011 7:18 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I had quite big problems concerned to two brand new iPhone 4s. BIG problems. I've tried evrything, stayed in touch with Tele2 in Norway, and also had a couple of phone calls to the Apple support. This morning it seems we have solved my problem. The helpful Apple support man helped me, and resently it seems to work quite good. Shortly: I could not send and receive messages, and the connection failed.


We started with iTunes, made a brand new installation. And we did NOT restore from our security copy. He mentoned it probably was sone bugs when we update to 5.0.1. He could not tell me what bugs it was, but I had to syncronice all the parts, one by one. Contacts, e-mail, music, adress book, bookmarks and so on. I did, tried the phone, sent Messages between all updates.


Before updating anything, I tried all the functionality on the phone, it was just perfect. Then we suddenly knew it was not a hardware problem. The only thing I've not tried yet, is to update the pictures. I'm not quite sure if I will, I probably start from scratch with the pictures. And also the SMS. But I do have a copy on my harddisk.


The support man was quite helpful, but if this will last, I really don't know? Time will show. It looks as it it some bugs when we use our security copy in iTunes.


FreelanceGURU

Nov 18, 2011 7:38 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Just to give an update....I finally bit the bullet today and called Apple. As people no doubt know, Apple's EMEA base in here in Ireland. I did a full restore last night again and set the phone up as new one last time to see would that fix the issue. But alas, no....


I was talking to a very nice customer agent in Apple's Cork HQ who took my details. I explained that I had no problem waiting for 5.0.2 if that would fix this issue. She actually said to me, the last update was meant to have fixed this problem!! Strange......


She then transferred me to a Senior Enginner there who patiently went hough all this woth me and is now arranging to have my phone collected and sent in and I'd imagine I'll get a replacement phone. Hopefully, that will fix this. I did say to him again that I was willing to wait if Apple were going to sort this with another update. He told me the next update would not be for 2 months, maybe more probably. But pobviously he can't be sure on this. He gave me his work email address so I can email him with any queries or discuss this with him if I need to which is cool.


Tip for anyone calling Apple. Be nice...be patient, don't be shouting the odds at them. They will look after you and will sort this.

Nov 18, 2011 11:55 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Hello Guys,


I have been posted, that had the same issue with GSM signal (no calls and SMS available).

I have contacted my carrier TELE2 and they have confirmed, that my pre-payment sim-card is not valid for iPhone for 4S.

I have decided to claim Apple and asked for replacement - now it`s working PERFECTLY.

My iPhone was bought in London, but I have got replacement in Lithuania (4S still not in sale here).


New iPhone 4S does not have any issue with GSM Signal - it has better GSM reception than wife`s iPhone 4.

Pre-payment sim-card is working perfectly - I will inform later Carrier, they do not know about it yet.


iDeal (Apple distibutor in Lithuania) has confirmed that they will replace phones during 12 months - if you face troubles. (does not matter is it 14 days or 4-10 months after sale)


Go and take replacement, Apple is doing good service after 40 hours, they have prepared NEW iPhone 4S.


I am still with Apple and like it 🙂

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.