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

Jan 6, 2012 4:23 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

always no solution invalide sim car 😟

Jan 10, 2012 2:53 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Has anybody already tried iOS 5.1 beta 3?

Is there any success in solving the issue?

Jan 10, 2012 8:41 AM in response to captain groz

captain groz wrote:

Has anybody already tried iOS 5.1 beta 3?

Is there any success in solving the issue?

I´ve just updated my 4S with Beta 3 and it is working way better right now...

comtrak

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2012 9:20 AM in response to Mandachuva

nice keep us updated..

Jan 10, 2012 11:33 AM in response to Mandachuva

The same for me - no dropping for an hour. This is a record for my smartphone.

Keep fingers crossed

Jan 10, 2012 10:39 PM in response to Stuart Mchattie

I believe that the issue is solved for me.

5.1 beta 3 completely restored my iPhone functionality. No drops, no "No SIM" messages. It works perfectly with all SIMs that I have now.

For those who is not afraid Beta versions. You may install it even if you do not have developer account with Apple. You should google and download "ios 5.1 build 9B5141 ipsw", go to the iTunes and press Update (but not Restore!) button holding Alt/Option (or Shift) and pick downloaded firmware.

After this is done your iPhone will be updated to the iOS 5.1 beta 3, iPhone will remain registered, all installed applications will remain untouched.

Of course it's better to make a backup to the iCloud before this operation.

Jan 11, 2012 4:27 AM in response to captain groz

Wow! You are right you don't need to enroll to a developer account to update 5.1 b3. I did it and now is working, at least for these couple of hours. I'll keep you update.

Thanks for the tip :)

Jan 11, 2012 6:18 AM in response to captain groz

I've googled it and all I get are news sites about it, not an actualy link to download it.

If I want to download it from Apple I need to pau $99 to become a developer.

Jan 11, 2012 6:34 AM in response to N19h7m4r3

Try this one http://www.multiupload.com/UN5F70GHG0

Jan 11, 2012 6:37 AM in response to captain groz

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Jambuxo

Level 1

0 points

Jan 11, 2012 4:18 PM in response to N19h7m4r3

How has the 5.1beta 3 been working for those who have tried it?

Captain Groz, N19h7m4r3, Franciso Robles, Mandachuva ?

I think I have tried everything under the sun, from restoring as a new phone (not from backups), upgrading my already REPLACED iPhone 4s to 5.0.1 "6" several times, new sim cards, cleaning my sim tray, I even keep a log in my notes everytime I get 'invalid sim' or my outgoing calls fail to see if is certain locations

Nothing works so far and I am reluctant to replace again as I live in the Caribbean and the closes apple store is in Miami, Florida.

I would like to believe its software, but not sure as it not all phones have the problem.

I am leaning towards the modem firmware 1.0.14 being the problem as someones has suggested.

I'm completely out of ideas and considering the 5.1 beta 3.

Please keep the updates coming for beta 3, I'm very interested.

Jan 11, 2012 4:24 PM in response to Jambuxo

Well I can say since updating to the beta I've had no signal loss or problems sending texts.

My texts actually send now, instead of showing the little load bar and losing signal.

I can also use the 3G toggle and set it to off, meaning the phone doesn't try and connect to the 1 bar 3G service in my area.

All in all very good, so far.

Jambuxo

Level 1

0 points

Jan 11, 2012 5:02 PM in response to N19h7m4r3

Glad to hear its working for you dude. It's a glimmer of hope for me at this moment. I'm downloading the file.

Jan 11, 2012 5:09 PM in response to Jambuxo

I hope it stays like this, and that it works for you as well.

The fact that i've been on EDGE all day instead of jumping between EDGE, 3G and no signal really helps the battery life as well it seems.

Considering that I had about 10 signal losses a day before this beta it's a big step up so far.

It's not been a full day yet, so we'll see just how well it is later.

Carty79

Level 1

0 points

Jan 11, 2012 5:31 PM in response to captain groz

When will the iOS 5.1 update be available not in beta?

My phone started getting the invalid SIM messages about a week ago, had been working fine until then for 3 months now all I get is the word 'Searching' where the Network provider name should be. I have tried a restore as indicated in the apple support pages with no luck and turning the handset off and back on sometimes brings the signal back for a few minutes but on the whole I'm left with a phone that does not work as a phone

Pretty poor and backing up a lot of my friends thoughts that apple stuff is more style over substance and doesn't work!

Hopefully the update to 5.1 will sort this

If not it will be off to the apple shop I go for a replacement

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iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random