Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone 4S drops 3G, have to restart phone to get it back

I'm using my iPhone 4S on the O2 (UK) network. I've noticed so far, twice that the iPhone 4S does not show any 3G (or edge even) connection at times. When I restart the phone it picks up a 3G connection immediately.


Anyone faced this issue? I'm not sure if its a carrier issue or something wrong with my hardware?

Posted on Oct 19, 2011 1:20 AM

Reply
170 replies

Oct 19, 2011 1:24 AM in response to irfanhab

Hi there,

I'm using the 4s since last friday in Germany with o2 as the UMTS/Edge network provider.

Before using the 4s I was using the 4 for 12 months.


When moving from an area with no network connection at all or a low signal strength (1 or 2 Edge-bars), e.g. when I'm in a tunnel, and the signal strength comes back when I leave the tunnel normallly my iPhone 4 instantly reconnects to the network first with Edge (GSM) and then switches to UMTS after a few seconds - all is fine then.


My new iPhone 4s also reconnects to Edge and then switches to UMTS - BUT then it loses the complete mobile data connection for several seconds - while the signal strength is at 5 bars. Result: No GRPS, no Edge, no UMTS.


After the pause it tries to reconnect to 3G, stays in the 3G network for about 2 seconds and then often (not alsways) loses the mobile data connection again. When trying to reconnect for the 3rd time the connection stays stable.


This strange behaviour occured more than once and is very annoying for me beause I often use the complete mobile connection while traveling now. My iPhone 4 newer shows/showed these bugs in the past - also when using iOS5 beta and final. So it's only an issue with the 4s.


Anyone out there experiencing similar issues?


Thanks!


Greetings

Steve


Oct 20, 2011 6:44 AM in response to irfanhab

I have the same problem as the OP, but I would lose connection completely. I phoned O2 about this on Monday and after trying all manner of resets (that work temporarily, new sim and resetting to factory firmware nothing helped.

I phoned Apple who suggested a replacement phone, which I did yesterday afternoon.


But I am still having trouble today.


The new phone is better and at least holds 3G better, but if 3

G is lost, the phone will not reconnect without switching Airplane mode on and off, resetting network settings or rebooting the phone (just one needed, not all three 🙂 ). If I lose network complelely it will not even regain Edge


A collegues 3GS works perfectly, right next to my 4s

Oct 20, 2011 11:04 PM in response to irfanhab

I am not able to reconnect by switching to Airplane mode on and off and on. The network reset or reboot is the only option which always helps.

I am using Telia Sonera 3G network in Finland, iPhone4S 32G (UK). However, , Elisa 3G seems to work fine. The bug seems to be related to 3G operator. According to information obtained on internet, there seems to be some bug in iOS 5, but maybe operator related problems, too.

Oct 21, 2011 2:19 AM in response to irfanhab

Bought an iPhone 4S in UK and am using it in Sweden with the operator Tele2. I have this kind of connection problem (as well as problem with BAD battery life). Weak connection which drops out totally from time to time.I know that people in Sweden using other operators have the same problem.


Apple, what the .... More or less the same issues like one year ago with the iPhone 4.

Oct 21, 2011 3:32 AM in response to irfanhab

I just received my UK version, 16GB white, suffering from almost the same problem. when the phone in ideal, I discover that it is not accutally online. cant make or reecieve phone calls even with full signal. then it goes to the seaching mode but does not connect to any.


NO SERVICE always appears, specially when moving in the city, i always loose the signal, and i CANT FIX THIS UNLESS I RESTART THE PHONE OR RE-INSERT THE SIM CARD.


i cant figure the problem out and now i decided not to use the phone till apple solve this issue. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED.

Oct 26, 2011 3:36 AM in response to irfanhab

Hey, I've had my iPhone 4S on Vodafone for a week in the UK and have had similar problems to those listed here.


Despite being expensive I went with Vodafone as I used to get amazing signal and data coverage with my BlackBerry but my experience with the iPhone 4S has been hugely disappointing. Vodafone staff have tried changing network settings and other fixes but to no avail. Yesterday all data dropped from the phone for 3 hours and only a hard reset got the phone to pick up any data at all.


Data drops out whether on WiFi, 3G, EDGE - anything - so I presume this is an Apple problem. I'm taking my iPhone back today to swap it for something non-Apple. Shame, but it's annoyed me too much already.


J

Oct 26, 2011 4:00 AM in response to janmoys

janmoys wrote:


Hey, I've had my iPhone 4S on Vodafone for a week in the UK and have had similar problems to those listed here.


Despite being expensive I went with Vodafone as I used to get amazing signal and data coverage with my BlackBerry but my experience with the iPhone 4S has been hugely disappointing. Vodafone staff have tried changing network settings and other fixes but to no avail. Yesterday all data dropped from the phone for 3 hours and only a hard reset got the phone to pick up any data at all.


Data drops out whether on WiFi, 3G, EDGE - anything - so I presume this is an Apple problem. I'm taking my iPhone back today to swap it for something non-Apple. Shame, but it's annoyed me too much already.


J

Janmoys, if u get answer to what problem is, please come back to us, would really appreciate it

Oct 26, 2011 6:13 AM in response to jono87

No solutions sorry - I told Apple adviser on the phone everything I had tried to fix the problem (network setting reset, hard reset, different network settings, etc) and she said to just swap it for a new handset. My local Vodafone store doesn't have any left, and to be honest I'm not sure a new handset will fix it anyway, but worth a shot I guess...

iPhone 4S drops 3G, have to restart phone to get it back

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