iPhone 4s losing data connection multiple times/day

It seems about 3-4 times/day, my new iphone 4s will lose data connectivity. The phone will show full bars and the 3G icon appears, but I cannot access a data connection - email continuously loads, safari / facebook app / weather channel app all time out. As soon as I reboot, it works fine. This is getting really really annoying. Anyone else experiencing this or have a fix?? Thinking of returning it.

iPhone 4, iOS 5, iPhone 4s wasn't listed as option..

Posted on Oct 26, 2011 10:48 AM

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353 replies

Apr 10, 2012 2:13 PM in response to dalva2686

I saw this today and thought it sounded a lot like our problem on the iPhone:


http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/04/09/nokia.lumia.900.launch.marred.by.d ata.bug/


"Windows Phone losing all data connections if the cellular link is restarted at any point...


While not publicly confirmed by AT&T, a tip suggested that the IMEIs, or unique phone identifiers, weren't registering properly on the data network."

Apr 11, 2012 12:54 AM in response to Community User

I rang Vodafone about this same issue and they mentioned the same or similar - that my sim card had not registered with the network. This results in it dropping its data connection. I think when you flip it to flight mode and back it forces the sim to reregister.


It must be linked to wifi somehow.. as when I switch off wifi as I leave my home network is keeps hold of its data connection...

Apr 11, 2012 1:27 AM in response to Mrlethargic

switching to airplane mode and back doesn't do it for me.

The only way that always works is:

  1. to go to Settings -> Carrier and then switch Automatic to OFF
  2. wait till the list of carriers appears and then manually select from the list the carrier -> 3G/Edge magically re-appears.

It's then save to switch Automatic to ON again, data remains availble.


I agree with data loss being related to switching from wifi to cellular data. Never had it happen when a cellular data connection was present and not switching to wifi...


I hope this will be fixed in a future update. My wives 4 (not S) does not have this problem. Or would it be hardware related (different radio chip)?

Apr 11, 2012 8:44 AM in response to bbddvv

A lot of us don't have that setting unfortunately. I wish I did because it would help prove to the genius bar folks what is happeneing. When you first go to the list is it missing the 3G/Edge option until you switch Automatic off?

Apr 12, 2012 6:51 AM in response to tpero

I too am having 4G internet connectivity problems with my new iPhone 4S. I'm running the latest iOS 5.1 and I'm now on my second iPhone 4S. I returned the first one to ATT after about a week.


The problem I experience is that I lose 4G internet connection randomly (several bars are showing, the 4G symbol is present, and I can make phone calls). The only way I have found to reconnect to the internet is to power the phone OFF then back on ON.


Toggling the Network->Cellular Data OFF/ON does not help, nor does switching Airplane Mode ON/OFF. My previous iPhone 4, which my wife now haves, did not and still does not experience this problem.


Apple please find this problem. I really believe you have a hardware/software interface issue that is peculiar to the iPhone 4S. I'll give it a little while longer, but I'm getting very frustrated and very tempted to return the phone and go back to an iPhone 4.

Apr 12, 2012 8:16 AM in response to gguilbeaux

I spoke with AT&T on numerous occasions, reset my 4s, restored, had apple check it at their store, replaced the phone, tried not installing apps, turning off features, and none of these things fixed the problem. I know Nokia had a similar issue with data on the Lumia 900, but at least they admitted it and took steps to make it right by the customer. So, I've jumped ship and now use a windows phone on LTE. At least it works. I hope everyone gets this issue fixed. C-ya!

Apr 13, 2012 7:16 AM in response to tpero

Mine has done this 3x's so far since 8 am. Resetting it fixed it the first time, but the last two times I've had no luck. It just comes back when it feels like it. I've had 2 new phones and both do the same thing. While it shows full service and 3G but actually has no data connection, it will nuke the battery. Mine went from 100% to 72% over the course of 40 minutes. I did nothing on the phone either, it just sat on my desk and I touched the home button every now and then to see what the battery was at. Come on Apple......

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iPhone 4s losing data connection multiple times/day

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