Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

9 points

iPhone 5S Signal Issues

I just upgrade from an iPhone 5 (AT&T) to an iPhone 5S (AT&T) about a week ago. Ever since the upgrade, I have had a significant increase in dropped calls and data sessions. The increase is due in part to the fact that my phone will randomly, usually about 2-3 times per day, say No Service, then Searching for Service, then No Service, then it will reconnect to the network or say No SIM Insert SIM Card. I went to the AT&T store to get a new SIM card, but now my phone is switching from LTE to 4G or EDGE in places that my iPhone 5 never did. I am also having issues with WIFI not detecing networks that are there. Anyone else experiencing these issues?

iPhone 5s, iOS 7.0.2, AT&T

Posted on Oct 7, 2013 12:21 PM

51 replies

eriknokc Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 12, 2013 10:26 PM in response to eriknokc

I have done a restore phone in iTunes and set it up as a new phone, per the Genius Bar and Best Buy. They both would like to see what that does. I'll let you all know whatever happens in case it helps any of you.

eriknokc Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 12, 2013 10:55 PM in response to eriknokc

I just finished doing a restore iPhone through iTunes, set it up as a new phone (no restore from backup), and Settings crashed two different times when I was trying to customize my ringtones and update other settings.

avicktor

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2013 10:18 PM in response to eriknokc

I have the same problem with my iPhone 5s. Im with Tmobile and in the past I used to have a Galaxy S2. I never experience connection problems until I got the iphone. Tmobile sent me a replacement and it keeps doing the same thing, switching from LTE to 4G and E... ! Now it'll pick E on places the Galaxy S2 never did. I'm trying to make Tmobile exchange my phone for a different model. This is obviously a software/design problem of the iphone.

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Nov 6, 2013 3:31 AM in response to avicktor

Why exactly would Tmobile switch the device?
If there is a hardware issue, Apple handles all hardware support in the US. Take the issue up with Apple.

avicktor

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2013 5:49 AM in response to diesel vdub

Tmo transferred me to an apple specialist and we worked on it. They called me back a couple of times but that was like 3 weeks ago. I haven't heard back from them since then. I'm just tired of this problem. The phone is nice but worthless if I cant have a reliable service.I have 3 more lines in my account with HTC One phones. None of those phones have this problem.

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Nov 6, 2013 5:55 AM in response to avicktor

Then address the issue directly with Apple.

Based on the last posting, I fail to see why any logical, intelligent person would continue pursuing the matter with TMO short of swapping the device for something other than an Apple product.

avicktor

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2013 6:04 AM in response to diesel vdub

I'm looking for a fast solution. If that solution is to get a different device, the it is welcomed. I travel a lot and I'm not sure how long it'll take Apple to fix this.

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Nov 6, 2013 6:24 AM in response to avicktor

If it is taken to a store and they determine it is defective, they will replace it on the spot.

If it is mailed to Apple, only Apple can say how long it will take to replace.

avicktor

Level 1

0 points

Nov 6, 2013 6:48 AM in response to diesel vdub

Tmo already sent me a replacement so it's the second iPhone I have in 4 weeks. I've been doing some research online and looks like lot of people is having the same problem with the iPhone in Tmobiles network. I'll call apple again but honestly I don't think they'll fix this soon.

Johnoc

Level 1

14 points

Nov 6, 2013 7:39 AM in response to avicktor

I switched from TMobile (I'm allegedly in a very strong signal area) getting 1 bar to AIO (ATT's no contract offering using ATT Infrastructure) plenty of signal strength - all is well.

eriknokc Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 6, 2013 10:43 PM in response to avicktor

I ended up having 2 5S', a 5 and then a 5C. When I took the 5C back (that was my 4th iPhone in 3 weeks), I was over it. I got a Moto X and I have had no signal issues, no dropped calls, no dropped data sessions... nothing. The issues are obviously being caused by iOS 7. I have had a number of other friends that had upgraded to iOS 7 that started to have all kinds of issues with their phones (AT&T and Verizon). I'm just sad that it had to come to this, but it's obvious that Apple isn't listening to the complaints or doing anything to resolve them. I'm just glad to have a phone that actually works.

Nov 15, 2013 9:27 AM in response to eriknokc

Same with me. Just upgraded from 3GS to 5s. Surprisingly the reception on my 5s is so much poorer compared to my 3GS. I did a field test on both phones. 5s gives -85 and 3GS gives -74. Can I get a new replacement for my iPhone 5s? It seems like all my friends who are using 5s are having no issues with their phones. Am disappointed and upset, annoying at the same time that my 3GS can receive better than my brand new 5s.

diesel vdub

Level 7

22,178 points

Nov 15, 2013 9:58 AM in response to wee sengfromlondon

No one in these forums can answer whether you can get a new device or not. We are users like yourself.

Contact Apple and ask them.

acesinica

Level 2

164 points

Nov 15, 2013 9:50 PM in response to wee sengfromlondon

To wee sengfromlondon,

Is that -85db on the 5S the idle mode reception strength? Or is that the db reception readout during a voice conversation?

The iPhone3GS is UMTS/GSM only, so the readout is for UMTS/GSM reception.

But the 5S's idle mode reception read out is for LTE, if you have it enabled.

That reception readout will change when you go into a voice call, because the phone has to fall back to Circuit Switch, so the reception will change, for me it was for the better, simply because there are more umts cells around me than LTE.

Lotuug

Level 1

6 points

Jan 17, 2014 1:27 AM in response to eriknokc

hi all

i changed my old iPhone 5 for 5s and i must admit that i'm really disappointed about the network reception.

indeed, i have everytime disconnections after a call and the quality of datas reception is poor ...

to me it is scandalous for a 1250 dollars cellphone (919 € here in Europe).

no feedbacks from Apple, no communication about this problem, no comment !

iPhone 5S Signal Issues