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

coxy31uk

Level 1

0 points

Nov 23, 2011 1:56 PM in response to KAMiLL

Im having same issue since upgrading to 5.01 on my Iphone 4 not 4s. Im with 02 and have tried everything restores, new phone set up fresh via restore mode the lot. Went to Apple store today and only answer I got was we can look at phone for £115 pounds as out of waranty or buy a new one!! Seems there is a problem yet shop "genuis" wasnt aware of a problem with signal dropping.

Its so fustrating not being able to use my phone

Come on Apple let us customers know about the issue and when you plan on fixing it!!!

Nov 23, 2011 7:45 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

im from the Philippines and im experiencing the same problem. this is my first time to use an iphone and im really excited bec of all the recommendation from frends. but for what is happening right now, i am really disappointed. felt like i just made the worst decision and splurging on the wrong item.

Nov 23, 2011 10:27 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

[THIS WORKS FOR ME]

Nov 23, 2011 10:17 PM

It drove me crazy, man. I finally get my iPhone 4s back. Changed a 128K USIM, now everything goes well. I can make phone calls, send SMS and access the internet with 3G.

So if you're using a GSM SIM card, try a 128K USIM card. I'm in Shanghai.

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.0.1

Nov 23, 2011 11:55 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Problem solved by my network provider in Luxemburg LUXGSM. They called me and told me to go in one of their shops to get a new Sim Card. With the new SimCard no network drops anymore...for 12 hours now, even battery life seems better. Unfortunately the guy in the shop could not tell me what the diffrence of the new simcard was !!

He even did no know that the problem is worldwide. Got 2 iphone 4s one 16GB one 32GB . Finally working well.

Nov 24, 2011 2:12 AM in response to rubeschinsky

Hi Rubeschinsky, many thanks for the info !! They didn't call me 😕

But anyway, I got my LUXGSM USIM card now. Have yet to try it. Here is SIM vs USIM explained:

http://www.justaskgemalto.com/en/communicating/tips/what-difference-between-sim- and-usim-cards

JPPswe

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2011 5:16 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Try this:

Go to Settings.

Go to Phone.

Turn off SIM-pin code.

Go to Flight Mode. Turn it on.

Restart your Iphone 4s.

Go to Flight Mode after Iphone 4s is on again.

Turn it off.

Please reply if it worked.

(Im using updated iOS, 128k card, Tele2 Sweden)

flaxos

Level 1

8 points

Nov 24, 2011 5:25 AM in response to JPPswe

Doesn't work for me with O2 carrier in Czech Republic. Still signal lost after 5-8 min. after restart. Don't understand why new 5.0.2 FW is is still not available. Really big mistake from Apple. 😟

Nov 24, 2011 8:16 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

TO everyone :

As many reported, everything is fine again After upgrading TO real factory microsim not cutted sim.

I had the chance to get an original iPhone microsim and its working flawlessly like before the Upgrade.

I can't explain it but now it's ok. Everyone with this issue should try an original microsim from it's carrier.

I'm french caribbean ORANGE network.

Nov 24, 2011 8:56 AM in response to Frenchieman

I'm having the same problem and NONE of these solutions work.

Swapped my SIM twice with the carrier for new ones and it is still not working.

I guess I will have to have my phone returned. It *****, because vodafone needs to send it to repair, they can't change it for a new one in loco.

JPPswe

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2011 9:06 AM in response to Frenchieman

Factory cut original SIM's are NOT sure to work. We have many Iphones 4s not working at our company and we are using original factory cut cards from carrier.

coxy31uk

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2011 9:06 AM in response to PedroFigueiredo

OK another update on my issue - Tried a new 02 sim after speaking to Apple. Sim lock was also off so that wasnt a issue either. Still not working

Apple did however say that they havent heard of this issue yet 5.02 which is due out in next few days will fix the problem.......read into that what you like.

Nov 24, 2011 9:48 AM in response to coxy31uk

They haven't heard about the issue at all or they haven't heard about the issue in 5.0.2?

JPPswe

Level 1

0 points

Nov 24, 2011 10:21 AM in response to PedroFigueiredo

Since this is about "network dropping" and losing contact with your phone operator Apple can always say it is a "operator problem". At the same time, operators tell customers to change their Iphone 4s.

Ofc I'm speculating, altough I'm sure this is a Iphone specific problem. A really serious one. I'm surprised media hasn't written more about it, considering the hype when Iphone 4s was released.

Latest rumors say 5.0.2 will be delayed until next week since there seem to be memory problems as well. (macerkopf.de).

ronnie73

Level 1

9 points

Nov 24, 2011 11:59 PM in response to JPPswe

No one is talking about this problem, sound really weird...they can not say that is an operator problem coz before, with iOS 5.0.0 everything was working perfectly, no problem at all but after the update to 5.0.1 all the problems started and this silence from Apple is driving NUTS...what they are waiting for to release the 5.0.2...I'm really disappointed...2 iPhone 4S 16GB and 64GB used as knick knack

JPPswe

Level 1

0 points

Nov 25, 2011 12:15 AM in response to ronnie73

Well, from what I've seen this is not related to the 5.0.1 upgrade. From what I understand many had this problem prior to the upgrade - not on the Iphone 4 but rather on the Iphone 4s.

I'm not sure however, I upgraded to 5.0.1 just when I got the phone.

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iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random