Q: iPhone 4S "no service" problem

I have exactly same problem as patbehn. I got new iphone 4S in November, I don't have any papers. It was working for first 6 days then No service appeared. Since that time is not possible to call. Sometimes when I change my simcard signal is on for few seconds, I can get some messages but after that there is No service again. I've tried everything, restoring, reseting, changing simcard for 5 times, nothing isn't working.

I started to be really desperate. This is my first iphone and the last one cause I can't use it as a phone. It doesn't make sense.

At least guy on apple support in Denmark told me that he knows about this issue and it's a really really big problem. Yeah, I can see that here but it's not helping.

I'm really badly surprised that there is about 20 pages of discussion about this problem and anybody from Apple can't give us answer? Why? At least they can say what causes that problem or just something. I really hate my iphone.

may i ask if she was running the same software as i? 5.0.1 (A9405)

my friend that used to work for apple is concerned that the (A9405) aspect will prevent him from reverting me back to 4.3.3

thanks for your attention

eFab:

Yes it was running 5.0.1 (9A405) before the downgrade to 4.3.3

i will cool it with the questions after this one. is there anyway that you would post what you did specifically to help inform him so that the task is easier for him? i, and likely many many others would appreciate anything you are willing to put here. thus far, i appreciate all of your posts - you seem like a very knowledgeable person.

When a new iOS version is released, Apple stop signing the requests to install old versions and only allow the latest iOS version to be installed.

You need to grab these special files when apple are still signing the requests. There are two utilities I know which allow you to do this, iFaith and firmware umbrella.

You can use these to save your SHSH blobs which allow you to downgrade in the future should you need to do so. However, if you haven't done this already I'm afraid you won't be able to downgrade your phone.

I also had this frustrating problem with randomly losing signal. Changed microsims direct from Vodafone last week and haven't dropped signal since. Hopefully haven't jinxed it though.

It amazes me with all the problems that iOS 5 has that Apple still ignores everyone and continues to sell the iDevice to new consumers in new countries....  talk about desperate!

Apple fix your bloddy iOS as I paid for a phone to work as a PHONE and not an iPod Touch!

And do it in a more timely manner... 3 months today and still issues prevail from release!  Shame on you!

I won't be buying an iPhone in the future...

I have the same problem in México with Telcel: iPhone 4S 64 Gb shows "no service" or " invalid SIM" messages. It solves temporarily shutting off and on. I have already changed for new 128 Kb micro SIM Card. Already restored from backup twice, one at Telcel at attention center. Running on iOS 5.0.1 (9A406) as shown in apple support. AND STILL SHOWS THE MESSAGE AND CAN'T CALL!!!

Is it a hardware problem?

Do I have to change my phone?

its been almost about 3 weeks since i updated to ios 5.0.1 ( 9A406 )

and that happened because i was really frustrated and angry about losing signal, no service, sim failure, no sim and lots of problems.

at the begining, everything was working perfectly, no errors and i was able to send / recieve messages make calls and never lost the network or missed a call.

but i noticed that whenever im in a low coverage area, my device showed the no service message and it took about 10 min to get the signal back.

but i found a way to force it to catch a signal much faster and that is by calling myself from the same number.

but 3 days ago, i waked u having the no sim error ! and for a second, it felt really bad, then the situation occured again after 6 hours, the in waked up in the last 2 days having the same problem and nothing fixed it other than restarting my device or reseting network settings. and the frequency of losing the signal increased dramaticly.

i think 5.0.1 ( 9A406 ) was a temporary fix and it was aimed to calm us or make us think that our problem is solved what gives apple extra time to find a solution ( although i think that they never will ).

Deactivate the SIM PIN option in "Settings -> Phone -> SIM PIN -> SIM PIN". That could help!

iPhone 4S "no service" chronicles:

Nov 28 - Happy to buy the most advanced phone in the world (and most expensive), iPhone 4S 64 Gb in México with TELCEL carrier. The phone worked perfectly fine (as Steve Jobs would wished).

Jan 6 - With iOS 5.0.1 (9A405) the phone espontaneously turns signal down until "invalid SIM" message appears.

Jan 7 - Just turning off and on seems to fix they problem. Most of that day without trouble until signal goes down again up to "no service" message appears.

Jan 8 - Turning airplane mode on and off doesn't fix the problem. Turning SIM pin off either. Only turning off and on again momentarily gives useful signal.

Jan 10 - "SIM error" appears, taking out the SIM and inserting it again shows a bright apple animation on screen and works well only a few hours, "no service" appears again. Cleaning the SIM with a clothe doesn't works either.

Jan 11 - Changed for a new 128 Kb microSIM card in TELCEL, 6 hours of joy until "no service" appears again! Checked apple forums and find that it seems to be a worldwide trouble, try restoring phone to the new iOS 5.0.1 (9A406). 3 hours of hope until: yes... "invalid SIM" appears.

Jan 12 - Take the phone to TELCEL to be checked. Restored again. Delivered as "cured". 6 hours: "invalid SIM".

Jan 13 - Take the phone to TELCEL to check it again, TELCEL company company gives me a NEW phone!!!

Jan 14 - New iPhone 4S with iOS 5.0.1 (9A405) seems to work fine (until now).

Discussion: Where is Apple Computers statement about this problem???

Apple has your money... THEY DO NOT CARE ANYMORE!

It has past 3 months and still iOS 5.x hasn't been fixed.  iOS 5.01 was a failure. iOS 5.01 9A406 was a failure also!

RE: Di\' George

I would go into Settings, Under Phone, look for SIM PIN. It should be OFF.  Turn it ON and OFF again a few times... this has helped me with the dropped signal bars and getting reception in a serviceable area!  It use to be REALLY bad before this...

Apple, take note the amount of attention this forum is getting!  You are upsettting a lot of customers and by launching iPhone 4S in more countries and countinuing to ship faulty hardware/software goes to show you how desperate you really are!  Shame on you.  You are sending customers to Google and Microsoft.   They release fixes in a more timely manner.  It goes to show you how dependant Apple was on Jobs!  Cook is a failure.  Apple is a failure.

So here's my experience. I'm now on my 4th iPhone 4s. Had a new sim aswell and I still get the no service problem.

Before I changed the sim I got no service quite a lot. With new sim from Vodafone UK it happens less.

Fortunately my wife has iPhone 4 on Vodafone do I know when I should be getting a signal.

When 'no service' shows now, I call my home number, and 'puff' suddenly my signal bars appear again.

This is definitely a problem with all iPhone 4s's. Apple won't admit it because they risk a complete product recall.

Apple has become Microsoft, too big and now doesn't care about the real truth.

The staff at the Apple store were extremely helpful but I know I was not the only person in there with a no service problem. My suggestion. Keep swapping your phone in apple store or with provider.

They may not ever admit it but it will cost them time & money.

I am so very dissapointed with Apple

I agree. Since Apple isn't coming clean, I would suggest EVERYONE keep swapping iPhones until you get one that works.   With a bunch of returned iPhones, Apple will then get things sorted out and the bottom line of Apple will be hit - hard.

Only then, will Apple fix the buggy iOS/hardware in a more timely manner.

I am on number 3 already and thinking if iOS 5.1 doesn't fix the bugs, number 4 will be coming and then asking for a refund!

Each exchanged iPhone you do, cost Apple 200$ to refurb your device.  That is expensive and costly to the bottom line!

Well picked up my 4s on a Thursday,Inserted Sim Friday and 2 hours later no service, tried alternate sim and still no service. Went back to the store and was told to make a reservation with the genius bar for a week later.

Brand new phone that doesnt work, constitutes replacement immediately, instead I now have a $1000 whole in my pocket and a rotten apple to show for it.

If you are reading this and considering purchasing any Apple products "DONT". Worst support customer service.