I am having a problem with my new iPhone 4s where it is constantly looking for a signal. I am on AT&T in NYC and had no such issues with my previous 4. It happens every 10-15 minutes where 3G and the phone signal cuts out and it says searching and then re-establishes the connection within 1 minute. Anyone else on AT&T ith this issue?
Mac mini, iOS 5
My phone is having the same issue. Have you resolved the issue?
Please try disabling Location Services through the settings menu - just as a test. Let us know if you find that the signal problem is resolved by not allowing the device to use GPS/Location Services.
A reload of the phone through iTunes resolved this issue for me, but only for a few days.
Yes, once I disabled location services the issue has gone away. Now my question - is this a defect in hardware, software and do we know when we can expect a fix?
I had the same issue initially, but instead of turning off entire location services. Go into location services, and disable the following:
1. Find my iPhone : Off
2. Camera : Off
3. System Services \ Setting Time Zone: Off
4. System Services \ Location based iAds: Off
Finally from Settings go to Carrier. Change Automatic to OFF and then after 5 secs you should see list of providers and select the one you're currently with.
By doing above, not only fixed the signal searching issue. but also improved the battery life. Speaking that Apple needs to fix these issues. Customer are paying lot of money for the phone and expect a good service and fast turnaround for any fixes.
Also under that System Services is Cell Network Search. Turn that off, I'm thinking that's what causing the issue you're seeing. It may be useful if you're roaming but I really don't see any need for it and if it gets stuck running your battery will drain because of it using your gps for your location.
Turning off Setting Timezone and iAds is not a bad idea either but I doubt they were the cause of your issue. I keep Find My iPhone on as well as camera location. Neither of those woud be active unless you're using those functions
Thank you all! I have made all the recommended changes and will see how it goes. So far, so good. I assume and hope that Apple is making necessary adjustments to avoid having to go through this, but in the meantime hopefully this will resolve the dropped signal. Much appreciation!
I think we're all dancing around the problem.. And I suspect Apple will have an iOS 5.x sometime fairly soon that will address these issues, and allow us to turn all of the features back on without a connectivity or battery life hit.
I disabled several things, including Siri, recently, and without doing a system restore, I'm back running properly - no dropping of signal when using apps that need Location Services.
I've had this problem with eMobile in Ireland. When the 3G signal drops it searches for a while and then can't locate anything. Have to restart. Even the Airplane mode doesn' fix it.
Today i got a new Sim and last night restored and set up as a new phone. I've also switched off the automatic setting for the carrier and have it set to my network provider.
Will see how it goes tonight when i go out. Going in and out of bars should see the signal drop off. If it's the same tomorrow i'll be bringing the phone back.
Tried all the tricks and am still having the same issue,
Tried everything suggested and worked for a bit and now not working again. At Apple genius bar now and will see what they say. :)
Since disabling Siri, my phone has been working nicely - Location Services don't cause dropping of the cellular radio/signal.
Except, the Location Services icon (top right of main screen) indicates that something is running. When I go to the Settings -> Location Services, nothing shows that it's running. So far, power cycling the phone addresses the issue.
I hope Apple overhauls Location Services software a bit. There are obviously some bugs in there.
I'm having the same issue. Came to AT&T the first time (7 days after I bought it) and they said it was the sim card so they changed it. On the 20th day, the problem came back and at the AT&T store gave me a new device. Today is the 32th day and the problem is BACK!!!! Don/t know what else to do!!!!! Please fix this ASAP cause I pay to have a phone, and mine is not working!!!!
Update from the Apple store - they gave me a new phone and asked me to restage the phone from scratch (not using a backup). On day two and have not yet seen the issue. Fingers crossed...
Well I have the same issue!! Received a call from apple and they said the problem is my carrier (AT&T) than called the carrier and they restart my network connections with a new IMEI number but the problem persist!!! The unique way I found to work is going to settings>general>network and turn off cellular data. It turn off your emails, and data but at least I can make calls and the iphone stops "searching for signal" Hope you guy @ Apple solve this SOON! I personally believe its a bug!!
4s signal searching
