You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

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

iPhone 4S "no service" problem

hello all,


Just got my iPhone 4S 18hrs ago and it wen to "no service" like 3 times (so far)!!

  • I have changed carrier setting to manual I can select my network but still "no service"
  • I turned on then off "airplane mode" it goes searching... then "no service"
  • it only work when I restart or reinsert the SIM


Is this common? do I have to worry ?


Appreciate your inputs.


Thanks,

Abdullah

iPhone 4S-OTHER, iOS 5, iMac, iPad

Posted on Oct 22, 2011 11:40 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 24, 2011 2:48 PM

I had the same problem today, once I put the phone on airplane mode then turned it off it showed service again. If this continues I will take it back to the store.

729 replies

Jan 30, 2012 3:07 AM in response to Kintu

this kintu BY SAYING this dat this is software problem my headache is some wat gone ...nd i m feeling gud that its nt hardwrae prob
and can u tell hw to activate though wifi ...?? and do i have to restore my fone first
plz tell me the whole procedure how i can do ...
i also have docomo and voda connectons both r nt workingwaiting for ur reply
thank u 🙂

Jan 30, 2012 3:14 AM in response to tanu_jobanrocks

If you want to reinstall your phone to iOS 4.0.1 (9A406) do the following


Switch off your phone and put it into DFU mode (Device Firmware Update Mode)


DFU Instructions


Press the power button for 3 seconds, keep holding the power button and also press the home button for a further 10 seconds. Let go off the power button but keep hold of the home button for 30 seconds (usually after 15 seconds you will see iTunes recognise the device and install the driver if required).


When iTunes recognises your device is in a recovery mode click Restore and iTunes will automatically download the update and install it.

Jan 30, 2012 5:35 AM in response to tanu_jobanrocks

Here is the info from Apple how to get the 9A406 update for sim card issues. Hope this helps.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4148

tanu_jobanrocks wrote:


this kintu BY SAYING this dat this is software problem my headache is some wat gone ...nd i m feeling gud that its nt hardwrae prob
and can u tell hw to activate though wifi ...?? and do i have to restore my fone first
plz tell me the whole procedure how i can do ...
i also have docomo and voda connectons both r nt workingwaiting for ur reply
thank u 🙂

Jan 30, 2012 8:31 AM in response to abds2000

This is a 100% software issue.


I had all of these problems for about a month (my previous post is in this topic on page 23).


Yesterday I finally installed iOS 5.1 beta 3, and everything's been working perfectly since then. For the entire day -- not a single loss of the network or "invalid SIM" message. I tested it everywhere, including the subway, and it maintainted signal very well all the time.


The phone also started picking up network very fast after the airlane mode. Before the update it usually went like "Searching", then "No service", and after 1-2 minutes finally it would catch the network. Now it's instantaneous.


My guess is that Apple is holding up the 5.1 release because of some glitches with Siri, e.g. she started failing to dial phone numbers from my address book, but at the same time she answers some questions and performs some task.


On the whole beta 3 is a solid build, and my phone is finally back!

Jan 30, 2012 8:33 AM in response to sbailey4

make sure you have wifi connection.


switch on your phone,

from settings - erase all setting and content. Phone ask for configuration. select country and follow all steps.

Skip SIRI, SKIP location services. then connect to WIFI to activate (DON't use Itunes and Laptop)

once activate - swap docomo will catch signal.


This happened to me. i tried this 4 - 5 times and it worked for me.

You can try & let me know if it works..

Jan 30, 2012 9:21 AM in response to Kintu

Kintu wrote:


Tanu


this is all SOFTWARE issues. I am from your country and faced issues. Later using hook & crook, i managed to fix issues and getting signal now.

I confirm this is IOS issues. Company like APPLE takes care of its hardware issues 100 times before launching the product. (design phase).


I agree this is most likey a software issue, but the truth is nobody knows for sure what the true problem is; except probably Apple. Your statement that Apple takes care of all hardware issues before launch simply isn't true though. Look at the iPhone 4 antenna. If Apple was confident that their antenna design in the iPhone 4 wasn't flawed, they wouldn't have given bumpers to all iPhone 4 users. I understand that nobody is perfect, but most will acknowledge a mistake and take corrective actions. Apple hasn't done this. Also, iOS 5 was supposedly tested as well. Why can some still not use their phones 3+ months later?!?!?!? The lack of response makes me question if Apple cares at all about it's customers. It seems they have taken my money and ran!!

Jan 31, 2012 10:09 AM in response to tanu_jobanrocks

tanu_jobanrocks wrote:


Crazy-Rabbit


do u have any idea when it will be released officially
as i m nt a developer i cnt update to ios 5.1 beta ..!!
😟

Apple doesn't care that our phones don't work. I have heard speculation that they are holding the release of the update because of code that hints about future products. They care more about their secrets, than existing customers that have already spent a good amount of money on a product that doesn't work. Other companies wouldn't take 3+ months and not acknowledge their customers to make their products functional.

Jan 31, 2012 10:17 AM in response to gdjgarcia

Yes the code does hint at future products, it has already been released to developers and they have already made sure to spread their findings. As always, when they are planning a big OS release such as iOS 5.1, and a new product release, they will hold off the OS update until the device is released, give them more to talk about in that 1 Hour event.

Jan 31, 2012 4:19 PM in response to rustyk123

Apple,


I can appreciate that you have certain codes pertaining to new products not released yet... I don't give a ****. I paid for a phone to work as a phone.


If you can't release iOS 5.1 in a more timely manner because of future products not announced, then you should release iOS 5.0.2 and address the bugs - we paid a premium price and we got a lemon in return.


This is a complete joke on your part!


To all the users affected... don't support Apple in the future as they have proved they don't support you!

iPhone 4S "no service" problem

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