iPhone 5S Signal Issues

Settings > General > Reset > Resest Network Settings

Are you using a case with metallic back that stretches from top of phone to bottom?

Those could block degrade signal. Those cases that have a metallic part on the back but leave the top and bottom part non-metallic are ok. Those which are metallic on the entire back can cause decrease in reception.

If you are seeing this kind of signal degradation (ie 4G, LTE, wifi) everywhere you go, I would suggest you go into Apple and get a replacement phone, since you are only 1 week into this phone.

If you have good reception else where but not your primary place of residence, the you should call at&t support and report it.

The iphone has a field test mode, dial *3001#12345#* and you will see your antenna's reception in a numeric value, which would be more precise when reporting trouble tickets.

http://osxdaily.com/2012/08/20/field-test-mode-iphone-signal-strength-numbers/

I would eject the SIM, check the metallic part of the SIM to see if there are any oily finger prints.

Then I would wipe it down gently with a slightly wet cloth, then blow it dry. Next I would use a can of compressed air and blow a little bit into the open slot hole.

The above is for the possibility of dirty contact between the SIM and the SIM reader, because you mentioned the phone complained about not reading the SIM.

But I don't think contacting Best Buy via Twitter or emailing Tim Cook would help this situation. A more practical approach, is to go back to where you purchased the phone, and tell them you need an exchange. If they are out of stock, then you must ask them to order the replacement for you and have the record show the date on which it was ordered.

Wish you good luck! 🙂

My iPhone 5s and my wife's iPhone 5 are BOTH having this same problem. Phones randomly go to No service! then Searching, then 3-4 bars. I do not have LTE at my home. However, if we turn LTE off in settings, the problem goes away completely and we get consistent 3-4 bars. The instant we turn LTE on, the phone drops to 1 bar, then usually No Service, then searching, then it will pick up a signal, then randomly drop out again.

So it's not an iPhone 5s specific issue. It happened with iOS 6 (on my wife's phone and my iphone 5) AND iOS 7 (both are currently on 7) so it's not specific to either iOS flavor.

We never get any message about the sim. Reinstalling SW has no effect. Resetting network settings has no effect. Turning off LTE "solves" the problem. Seems there is some sort of software glitch with the iphone looking for LTE when none is available? Odd, annoying problem. I don't like leaving LTE off, as all cities in our area have LTE, so it's useful when I leave home. For now I'll have to deal with it manually until Apple finds and resolves the problem. My worry is that I see VERY few complaints, I'm afraid Apple is ignoring us.

Zhe Wiz

If help from Apple is desired, then the user needs to contact Apple. Posting to these user to user technical support forums is not contacting Apple.

I just discovered resolution of problem late last night. I will be contacting Apple, hopefully others with the same problem will as well.

Zhe Wiz

Wife and I just upgraded from 4S to 5S bought the phones and switched to TMobile from ATT for cost purposes. Signal varies from 1-2 bars to no service both phones. TMobile purports to have excellent or very strong signals in my house area - thought it was TMobile but based on what I read, it may be the phone instead. Had great coverage at home with 4S on ATT - waited 2 years for this upgrade, feel like I got coal in my stocking. *****!

Does the device get good signal in other locations? If it does, the issue is with the network coverage. If it does not, the issue may be with the device.

Decent signals driving around in other areas - I could see a device issue if it were one phone but symptoms are identical on 2 brand new 5S.

eriknokc wrote:

I can still go back to Best Buy and exchange my phone, but my options are an iPhone 5C or switch to Android or Windows Phone. Unfortunately, I am unable get out of my contract because the 14th day was on the day I exchanged my phone. If I were to switch to a 5C, that means I just extended my contract and paid a $36 upgrade fee to basically end up with the same phone I already had.

Why does this mean you would have to switch to a 5C or Droid/Windows phone?

Just take the device to Apple for evaluation. If they determine that there is a hardware issue they will replace the device with the same model/capacity/color 5S on the spot.

Gotcha. That was not clear in the previous posting.