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

Dec 2, 2011 6:41 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I've contacted Apple support today here in Poland. They don't know actually if it's software or hardware issue and advised me to go to Apple authorized service. But since my phone was bought in Germany not in Poland I have to send it back to Germany because the guarantee doesn't apply here in Poland. So when you travel around Europe let's say a business trip and your iPhone gets broken in another EU country do not expect Apple to help you anyhow except to advise you to go back to the country of orgin of your iPhone. Congratulations Apple! We can only be thankful Apple is not a carmaker...Can't wait to get rid of this piece of s.....

Dec 2, 2011 6:52 AM in response to witoldfrompoznan

This is not true.

I did buy a iPhone through the apple store of the UK.
I contacted the support in the Netherlands and give the right Serial number of my iphone.
Within 2 days i got my replacement and send my orginal iphone to apple.nl.
You have Worldwide garanties.

Dec 2, 2011 7:14 AM in response to Michel van Nistelrooij

Only if you bought it straight from Apple store but if you buy let's say Media Markt or a cell phone operator than bye bye worldwide guarantee...

Dec 2, 2011 7:39 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Wats wrong with you guys..??? Buy a phone spending a fortune and wait for a replacement..??? ***

Dec 2, 2011 9:07 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

so boring . i don't want to use any products of Apple , i have an iPhone 4s , i live in Viet Nam , and dont' have anyone can fix my problem . 4s 's a stupid phone , i can't do everthing with this phone , his signal bar 's alway full but i can't make any call or receive call , then it searching ....................................................... so stupid

IRock_

Level 1

8 points

Dec 2, 2011 10:55 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Now I wish Steve Job is here, he would fix things much faster. My iPhone 4S is FedEx to Australia where it was purchased. Let's hope they change me for a new one cause I can't use my 4S to ****: I'm really disappointed.

ratik

Level 1

0 points

Dec 3, 2011 7:07 AM in response to asnarain

Hi Arvind,

All I can say is getting on to the beta 5.1 has rectified my problem a great deal. Choosing my network manually has helped but maybe automatic detection for you is good enough.

Also I've read on this and I believe 5.1 has helped a bunch of people and has failed for a few too.

My argument is it cant make things any worse so I suggest you give it a go and good luck!

Dec 3, 2011 7:09 AM in response to ratik

i 'll try it , my 4s 's so bad now 😟

Dec 5, 2011 3:17 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Weirdly enough my brother has the same issues, I have with my 4s, on my old 3gs.

Since I got the new iPhone I gave him my old one. It had SIM lock activated, so I deactivated it, deleted everything on the iPhone (set it all back), downloaded and installed the newest iOS with his SIM-Card. He has a different network provider than me, mobile data is constantly switched off.

He loses the signal every few hours. Deactivating the SIM-PIN helped. But still, this is weird.

Are we some kind of Testusers in an A/B-Test?! Would explain why every iOS that's been downloaded with my Apple-ID has these issues -.-

Dec 5, 2011 6:26 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I changed the sim card today. It helped. My old one was 64k, the new one is 128k.

Dec 5, 2011 12:44 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Same problem here at Brazil!

My carrier is VIVO and my iPhone is a 16Gb 4S.

I tried the 5.1 update but still the same...

Just 15 minuts after the 5.1 update and there are 8 reports in "Diagnostics & Usage" about modem Reset: ATCS_TIMEOUT

Come on Apple!

Dec 5, 2011 1:18 PM in response to jonathanfromleeds

Try this and it will work- go to settings<general<reset<reset network settings and perhaps remove the sim and insert it again and the problem will be gone and solved

Dec 5, 2011 1:19 PM in response to Mandachuva

Try this and it will work go to settings<general<reset<reset network settings and perhaps remove the sim and insert it again and the problem will be done and gone

Dec 6, 2011 3:55 AM in response to nazlifromegypt

Yesterday I tried everything...

1) Naslifromegypt: settings<general<reset<reset network settings and perhaps remove the sim and insert it again;

2) Restore with Developers 5.1 BETA (tried 3 times, last one without SIM card);

3) Put a little tape on SIM card´s corner...;

4) Manual instal of APN settings using Online profile;

The phone worked well for about 3 hours..., today in the mornig a checked it and I get the same INVALID SIM error, plus 53 reports in "Diagnostics & Usage".

I think its time to tell the world whats going on here...

Dec 6, 2011 4:14 AM in response to Mandachuva

Mandachuva: You need a USIM card, period.

My network by default does not use USIM cards but after 2 weeks let me have one. This is the only long term solution.

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