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Level 1

41 points

Cannot Make/Receive Calls iPhone 4s

I just replaced my old iPhone 3Gs with one of the new spiffy iPhone 4s (32gig). I immediately noticed that my call quality was horrible as compared to the 3Gs. The bars vary wildly, even though I do not move (bouncing around between no bars to a max of 4 bars). I drop about 70 percent of my calls and even have trouble making calls (nothing but dead air while the phone indicates it is trying to call). For those calls where I do manage to actually connect, the party on the other end cannot hear me or the call quality is such that we need to hang up and attempt to reconnect. Initial calls to AT&T (my current carrier) resulted in the customer service representative telling me that "many of the new 4s phones sold for AT&T were programmed incorrectly, directly impacting call quality." The service rep supposedly tweaked some settings that "correctly programmed my phone." However, the call quality has not improved and I now drop 100% of my calls, with the signal strength continuing to fluctuate between no bars and 3 bars. I do love the camera, but not having a usable phone seems to be a huge problem. Any one else encountering this issue or is there some fix that I am unaware of? Thanks in advance for your help.

Posted on Oct 20, 2011 6:25 PM

26 replies

X5 Sport

Level 1

5 points

Oct 30, 2011 2:26 PM in response to Adville

I am having simular problems when making call the person can't here you press the speaker button on then off then they can here you also echo is worse with this phone

Oct 30, 2011 2:40 PM in response to Adville

It does appear to be software related. There are starting to be reports on Engadget and Gizmodo, which means Apple will certainly take notice. Two Apple techs acknowledged the issue, two others insisted it was my phone and insisted on reloads and restores - all of which did nothing to alleviate the issue (I suspect because it is in the OS, not in any subsequently loaded apps, music or anything else, as was put forth by them.) In the end, I have found that "reset all settings" has at least temporarily cleared up the problem, but I'm leaving open the option of running to the Apple store a few hours away and see what they have to say. I'd hate to run out the 30 day window and wish I had pushed for a replacement. That said, people here have reported being on their third and fourth exchanges and still having no luck. One bright spot that cropped out of the Engadget report is that it's NOT limited to AT&T as there have been many Verizon users with the same problems. Which, again, just reinforces the idea that this is a software, specifically iOS issue.

We will see. You still can't beat the Apple forums for people who are passionate about finding a resolution for a product that at its root, they love. Will continue to monitor here and report back if I see anything further.

--Ted

Oct 31, 2011 9:20 AM in response to Bob Krugmire

I bought the iPhone 4s the day it came out from Verizon, which is my carrier. My husband updated his OS the same day. Now both of us are experiencing problems receiving and sending phone calls. Some of the calls I've missed have been very important phone calls, so you can imagine I'm quite put out.

I'm headed to the Verizon store later today to resolve this issue. I HAVE to get phone calls. Its part of my business. So if this doesn't get resolved soon, I will have no other choice but to switch phones.

Apple, if you're reading these, PLEASE fix this soon. I really love the phone, but I can't go on without getting calls. 😟

Nov 3, 2011 3:59 PM in response to Bob Krugmire

My husband and I are both also having this issue, although it happens a lot less often with his phone (iPhone 4 updagred to iOS5). I am using an iPhone4s. We both have Verizon, so that makes me think it is a software issue (ot at least not a carrier issue). Apple - please help - I love my phone, but I need a phone that makes calls - it actually took me 8 callsyesterday to get through to my husband. Luckily there was no emergency, but with two toddlers in the car, if there had been, this would have been a way more serious issue. Hopefully there is a fix soon, or there will be two less iPhone users in the world. Cool phones are great- but they need to be able to consistently make calls!

Nov 3, 2011 5:24 PM in response to Chickenbuttlips

I went to Verizon and they said that no one else had complained about the issue to them. Since it is an issue with the software they told me to go to the Apple Store in the mall. So, that's where we're headed Saturday morning.

Bob Krugmire Author

Level 1

41 points

Nov 7, 2011 10:08 AM in response to Bob Krugmire

Another quick update from the OP here! This past weekend, I took a short trip to Oceanside and San Diego, California with friends. One has a flip phone with Verizon, one has two phones (Sprint on smartphone and AT&T on second smartphone). My iPhone 4s had such poor service in Oceanside that I was essentially unable to make or recieve any calls during my entire visit there! I bounced around between 1 bar and no service. Oddly enough, my friend on the AT&T network but with a different brand smartphone had full bars of service and no problems making or recieving calls. This makes me wonder if the iPhone 4s has some odd issue of antenna similar to the old 4 problems.

Sadly, and in response to the folks that suggest a quick visit to the Genius Bar to swap out the phone, I am currently on my 4th iPhone 4s with very little or no improvement in call quality whatsoever.

On a brighter note, I still love the iPhone 4s camera. Just wish I could call friends to tell them about it.

Nov 7, 2011 12:20 PM in response to Bob Krugmire

Very long running thread regarding this issue here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3404857?start=480&tstart=0 for anyone who wants to follow along or add their 2-cents....

--Ted

Bob Krugmire Author

Level 1

41 points

Nov 7, 2011 3:25 PM in response to Bob Krugmire

@Ted Pruitt Thanks much for the link!!

Nov 15, 2011 10:31 AM in response to Bob Krugmire

My problem is kind of different.

I have a fine connection to my network (Orange Austria) but I cannot make or receive calls or send or receive SMS. Also, my number shows as "Unknown" under Settings>Phone.

My suggestion is it has something to do with my SIM-card. If I don't get it to work, I'l visit the Orange shop or the Apple store.

GorVas

Level 1

0 points

Nov 22, 2011 2:03 AM in response to Bob Krugmire

Same problem here live in Sweden and have Tele 2 as carrier:

iPhone 4S

32GB

Nov 29, 2011 4:59 AM in response to Bob Krugmire

my issue is alittle different.

my iphone 4s has all the signal strength i can receive calls and Sms messages but i cannot call out or send sms messages after a while doh the Phone starts to search for a carrier and i end up getting called fail. my iphone is a 16 gig factory unlocked

Cannot Make/Receive Calls iPhone 4s