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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 10, 2011 4:53 AM in response to Halkier

Hey Halkier

I'm also from Denmark on 3's net.

And my 4S dropped the connection constantly, but after remove the PIN it worked just fine :-)

Thanks

Jan

Halkier

Level 1

19 points

Nov 10, 2011 5:15 AM in response to janhjordie

Hi Jan,

I have it set to off also. But I'm without 3G right now...

Anyways, do you know what the switch is good for?

Also, I have just been informed that it's my SIM that has a fault... but I suspect that's not it though... Maybe it's because I changed the PIN provided by the phone comp. into my own?

Hilsener

Halkier

Level 1

19 points

Nov 10, 2011 10:46 AM in response to Halkier

Just to follow up here...

I got a new SIM and this time I did not change the PIN it came with. SIM LOCK is on which I guess is the default. So far no problems.

Robbo71

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2011 11:09 AM in response to Halkier

The latest IOS update is here. 5.0.1 is now ready for download. No indication thought it is adressing any network issues...Says it fixes bugs regarding battery life..Guess we have to wait a bit longer.

mbolo01

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2011 11:20 AM in response to Robbo71

Just updated mine (full from iTunes, not incremental OTA), I'll keep you posted.

Today was a really bad day, SIM card error several times today which may be higher than usual as I've been roaming a lot, but the issue continued when I was back home.

Nov 10, 2011 11:51 AM in response to mbolo01

I updated mine too, and it actually seems like it's gotten worse, but I'm not sure yet.

This *****.

Halkier

Level 1

19 points

Nov 10, 2011 12:17 PM in response to albertqui

That's bad news!!! The problem has come back. I just lost connection again. It is not the SIM... There's a problem!!! I had to reboot and it then came back on after searching for a while.

This ***** BIG TIME!

Nov 10, 2011 1:19 PM in response to albertqui

So far it's a lot WORSE for me since I updated.. ***!?!?!?

When I try to send a text, it fails and starts searching. When it's found Tele2 I can only send ONE text, and the second one which I send immediately after that one fails, and the phone starts searching..

This might actually be the last time that I buy an Apple product.

flamman

Level 1

4 points

Nov 10, 2011 1:53 PM in response to flamman

Follow-up on my own post.

I called Apple Support (I bought my 4S on Apple Online Store Sweden, using Tele2) and after erasing all settings and setting up the phone as new without restoring from backup I still have the same problem (often dropped signal and "searching" when trying to make a phone call).

I have disabled PIN and the SIM-card works in my old iPhone 4.

Apple will replace the phone for me. I guess it is a hardware fault. I never tried 5.0.1 but from the reports here it doesn't sound as if it would have helped...

hejo82

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2011 2:03 PM in response to albertqui

Hmm..iOS 5.0.1 didn't did the trick for us. I am to having issues with dropped connection, both randomly and when initiating outgoing calls/SMS. Some outgoing calls that actually connects are also silent.

I've recently discovered a somewhat strange behavior when I was switching SIM cards between iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S:

Scenario iPhone 4:

When SIM card ejected from iPhone 4, it immediately says "No SIM Card Installed" and reception status changes to No SIM. When inserted again it starts searching and finds network after just seconds.

Scenario iPhone 4S:

When SIM card ejected no immediate notification is given and reception seems unchanged. I actually have full reception (Tele2 Sweden) and 3G even if SIM card is laying on the table. I've been running a timer on the iPhone and it's now reaching 30 minutes(!) without having a clue that I've ejected the SIM card.

I can actually call my iPhone 4S with no SIM inserted. The Notification about missing SIM comes first when I try to make an outgoing call or send SMS.

I'm not sure the SIM card actually should be required for making and receiving calls when first initiated, but this seems really odd and the behavior is definitely different from iPhone 4.

What about you guys? Anyone whith a 100% working 4S that can confirm this behavior as normal?

mbolo01

Level 1

0 points

Nov 10, 2011 2:15 PM in response to hejo82

IOS 5.0.1 didn't fix the issue.

I received my first SIM card failure message after 1h45 on 5.0.1, after having exchanged a few SMS 1h before the failure. Next step will be to change the phone @appstore on monday, crossing fingers I receive a working one ....

Nov 11, 2011 8:16 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

after udating i have the same problem, cellular network inconsistencie ios 5.0.1 has increased, the network bars are shown but i can not make a call nor can i send a sms 90 percent of the time. this is like have no phone at all. allt the turn off, PIN de-lock, wifi on and off doent resolve a thing. Apple you definetely need to step up again...quick! its just not good enough, i have been a long time apple user and become a fan over time, but clitches like this are just too dissappointing. its like having a car, but its not able to drive 90 percent off the times, what use is this....so step up and fix it asap otherwise you will be loosing loyal custumers sooner than later...

Nov 11, 2011 8:59 AM in response to lovehelmet

I have got the exact same problem, went through all the trouble shooting without resolving the issue. please Apple act asap.

Nov 11, 2011 9:34 AM in response to patpost70

I have the same issue after updating to 5.0.1...

hugmiss1

Level 1

0 points

Nov 11, 2011 9:56 AM in response to Stuart Mchattie

Well, let me tell you, Stuart, That in 4S you turn 3G of going to settings>general>network> turn off cellular data!!!! AND, (BTW) when you turn this off, the iphone stops "searching".... I just tried EVERYTHING!!! AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT LETS ME USE MY Iphone 4S

iPhone 4S dropping network and data at random