iPhone 4S "no service" problem

Worked for me as well. The trick is to restore using iTunes so that the 'phone gets a completely fresh and uncorrupted version of firmware 9A406.

can anyone tell me, this is a problem of the firmware or iphone?

I have to say it's a mix between hardware and software.

The signal drop is software as when you switch from 3G to Edge, it resets the bars (prior to iOS 5, it never use to do this) it did it smoothly and without dropping the signals or calls.

The Searching / No Service bug problem that I had was with my SIM card. I replaced 3 of them and now it works better, but still not perfect.

I believe the problem could be hardware too. That is why Apple hasn't come clean yet. Also notice how long it is taking for them to release iOS 5.1? That's because a lot of problems are still within iOS 5.1 beta (almost a 3 month cycle)!!!

I have been having this problem for about a month already. I've tried everything that's been suggested here: I changed my SIM card, installed the latest build (9A406) of iOS 5.0.1, but the problem is still there.

The phone loses network all the time displaying "no service". The only way to get it back is to try to make a call and after the call fails it starts searching and after a while catches the network. Then I can make some calls and after 10-15 minutes it drops the network again and the process repeats itself.

It's VERY frustrating indeed. I bought the phone in Rome in November and for a month it seemed to work fine and then the problem started. Sometimes it displays "SIM failure" and I have to restart it to get it to work. I'm not sure if it started after I upgraded to 5.0.1, and do hope it's a software issue.

If after 5.1 the problem isn't fixed, it's suely going to be my last phone from Apple, which is very sad, since I've had three iPhones and this 4S is the worst phone I have evere had.

In my case it was clearly a firmware problem as restoring 5.0.1(9A406) through iTunes and then re-installing apps and data fixed it. When people have tried this and it doesn't work, then maybe its a hardware problem.

Apple can you please explain how it has been 3+ months that I still have multiple issues with my iPhone 4s but you a) show no interest in helping the people that already own the phone and keep selling a defective/buggy phone to more people b) announce new iBook software while iOS software released months ago still doesn't work. It seems as if your mentality is "We already got your money. Why not work on something else that will get us more money" What a slap in the face

Same problem here.iPhone 4S iOS5.0.1 9A406. It can't pick up the reception back after "No Service" status.

In my case it's got another interesting symptom: I can't make a call, but Siri does work. I can sometimes browse the web as well. For example, I ask Siri to make a call, and she dials the number, the call fails, after that the phone goes into the search mode and picks up the network. Weird...

it happens to me to get no service after I take out and put in sim. There was "no signal" non stop, search and no signal... try everything, no success. than I made a restore, but the problem persists. I tried with sim card from another operator, it says activation required.... I put back my sim, and than it start to work again 🙂 Messy, but works.

Same thing happened with me also and i my new iphone 4s is unable to find the network at all.Is it a major problem ...?Anyone plz suggest the solution for this problem as early as possible.

I hate to say this guys...

take videos and pictures and post them on YouTube. Title it 'iPhone 4S No Service / Searching' bug and let the world see it.

I am going to wait one more week and then going in for a replacement costing Apple $200!

If they don't want to support us or advise us of a fix in the works, then I would strongly suggest you doing the same and replacing your iPhone and SIM card.

Apple will have to eat the $200. Replacing your SIM card I would get your carrier involved and point them to this forum.

I have waited since November for this problem to be fixed and Apple has no plans to hurry and fix it as I think they can not. I paid for a phone to work as a phone.

I have made such a video. Just not professional looking. So I have not yet posted it.

YouTube is not about PRO videos. Publish it and get the word out. More exposure and word of mouth and Apple will get back to the drawing board.

We paid for an iDevice to work and it doesn't. It is up to Apple to get it working.

OK ITS POSTED

HERE IS THE LINK:

http://youtu.be/J2WIjHPHP5w

THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT

Great video...

I recommend contacting CNN, news sites and all the blogs - this is great exposure and Apple will get back to work in a faster timeline and get our buggy iOS working as it should be. We don't deserve what we our going through and we paid for a device to work and they have our money and are more concerned about features in iOS 5.1 than fixes - photo stream, 3G toogle etc... No mention on Apple's part about the constant Searching / No Service bug, Wi-Fi issues and signal drop issues on iOS 5.x except build number 9A406 regarding SIM / No Service which doesn't work. Both iOS 5.0.1 and iOS 5.0.1 9A406 were both failures. These two updates failed to fix the battery problems and No Service / Searching bugs. Apple hasn't acknowledged any problems and keeps denying it. Typical Apple style.