iPhone 4S "no service" problem

Seem to have got it sorted before the visit to the genius bar.

Complete system restore from itunes (not OTA) together with a new microSIM seem to have done the job.

I suspect it's teething problems with the OTA system as using the computer and cable seem to have put things right.

Genius bar would have swapped the phone out if a restore didn't do the job so I suspect it's worth booking an appointment if you're anywhere near an apple store.

Hope you all manage to get things sorted - it's certainly frustrating whilst you just have a glorified iPod!

tjm135, thanks for the reply... however i did update my phone via itunes to start with and restored it for two times using itunes again without any success on this issue... my last resort is obtaining a new sim card, other than that currently i do not have any more options for some time, since i bought my phone from england and it hasn't come out in turkey yet... on the other hand i do find it quite strange since the phone used to work well prior to the update...

looks like i'll be visiting one of my carrier's shops today... 🙂

I have the same probles as described in this thread (t-mobile czech). However, I've updated via cable/iTunes, so it seems this is caused by some type of sim with combination with the iOs 5.0 and network conditions.

My suspicion is that this happens in areas with week 3G coverage when the phone switches between 3G and classic GSM often. Also, T-Mobile CZ is well known for rather poor implementation of this switching, on any type of phone I had I always lost data connection on exactly the same spots on my daily commute where 3G - EDGE switch occures (and had to restartr the phone). Never got to the "no signal" before 5.0.1 iPhone, though.

All right, I got a new SIM card from my operator and have not connected to the network (not only data, but anyhow) since - and after the complete reset, I cannot activate the phone, either. So ordered a sim-adapter and will use my old iPhone 3GS instead, or buy a cheap something to survive till they solve it.

I really wonder how they manage the update to these ends. The speed they send the update should warn me, you cannot have reliable update of such a complex system in few weeks.

Went to my carrier today and problem solved! Apparently my network issues were happening because of my SIM card, which wasn't working properly. Not it's working fine. 🙂

If you are having troube with the cellular network, I highly recommend asking a friend to try his SIM card on your phone to see if it works. If it does, there you go, your SIM was dead. 🙂 Just get a new one (and I didn't have to pay for a new one, I just said it wasn't working and Vodafone just gave me a new one) and you're good to go!

many thanks for the heads up, i'll get a new sim card tomorrow... i'll update on my situation as soon as i replace the sim and am able to use my phone... 🙂

I replaced my SIM today and the problem persists. It was working fine before I updated to iOS5.0.1, so I don't think there's anything wrong with the SIM.

Make sure that your new sim is 128k. It definitely resolves the problem.

Whats 128k? I don't understand the difference.

There are two types of sim cards, 64k and 128k. Your sim is probably a 64k one, ask your carrier a new one, 128k.

People at your carrier should know the difference, if not check the new card, it's also written on it.

hello,

Having the same issues with my 3GS in Turkey since the update to iOS 5.0.1. I keep losing signal, I can't text or even call, i need to turn off then on the phone so it works for a couple minutes. Sad.

my carrier (turkcell turkey)

I really wonder how they manage the update to these ends. The speed they send the update should warn me, you cannot have reliable update of such a complex system in few weeks.

serhanfromistanbul wrote:

There are two types of sim cards, 64k and 128k. Your sim is probably a 64k one, ask your carrier a new one, 128k.

People at your carrier should know the difference, if not check the new card, it's also written on it.

My carrier doesn't provide that.. There must be another way.

ok, after going through a difficult process of obtaining a new sim card i can confirm that a new 128 k micro sim card solves the problem...

i did receive the "invalid sim" message a couple of times prior to the ios 5.0.1 update, however since after rebooting the phone the problem did not persist, i kind of let it slide, however my nightmare for two and a half days started right after i've updated my phone and it stuck until today, when i replaced my old sim card with a new 128 k micro sim...

i am truly sorry for the people who cannot obtain such a sim card but i do think that it is not a cutting edge, new technology and that if you ask your carrier about it, you can obtain one matching your wishes...

thanks again serhan for pointing the issue out... 🙂

i bought a new iphone 4s two weeks ago and i have also the same issue. it just started with 5.0.1 update. i will try to use 128k card but i think it's all about ios 5.0.1. i am very sad, now there is any differences between my ipod and iphone 4s. no texts, even no calls 😟

It´s kinda hard to believe that changing te SIM will fix the problem, my SIM card is already a 128k, and the problem persists. Sometimes a get a invalid sim message, most of the time searching for network and no service. I really don´t know what to do.