why does my iphone keep falling off tables?

Applying Occam's Razor, I think your desk isn't perfectly level. If it was, nothing on it would slide anywhere. Go get a marble. Put it on the desk and watch which way it rolls.

FWIW, I have never had any iPhone that I have owned in the past almost 11 years slide off anything I put it on.

It's fascinating to me as I've seen it happen on a number of tables (not just in my house but also in hotels). Before the iPhone 7, I never had a problem with it either. It's only been this last one I've gotten. It's not a biggie. I didn't buy it and it doesn't bother me that it does fall off surfaces.

I have just upgraded my iPhone 6s to iPhone 8, on four occasions I have found my iPhone 8 on the floor, I thought I was loosing the plot of something weird was going on, I heard a noise upstairs, when I went to investigate my iPhone 8 which was on the charging pad where I left it was on the floor.

This is a little worrying seeing it could smash quite easily, I can't seem to find a response from Apple anywhere confirming that this is a flaw or accepting that there is a vibration issue with the phones?

Unfortunately I can’t image that Apple will admit to a design flaw of any kind, especially considering so many people (even on here) own the iPhone X and have never experienced this. Even though I’m in the category of users suffering “iPhone X falling onto floor constantly!”

The simple solution is to not put it on a smooth surface that isn't level. Physics rules. If something falls, there must have been a force to make it move. Unless you have a poltergeist. And if the surface is perfectly level the only force will be straight down.

That said, the iPhone 7 and 7+ have a camera lens that is not flush with the back, so the phone will not be perfectly level. It still requires a force to get it to move, but the only possible internal force is the vibration when you get an alert if you have that feature turned on.

NCOMark wrote:

Unfortunately I can’t image that Apple will admit to a design flaw of any kind, especially considering so many people (even on here) own the iPhone X and have never experienced this. Even though I’m in the category of users suffering “iPhone X falling onto floor constantly!”

Unfortunately, I can't imagine any design flaw that would make any device slide off tables unaided. Think about the 100 million or so people who have bought the iPhone X and have never had it fall off a table?

The reason the X is un-level, is its camera lens on the back. I never bothered even looking at the 8 so I’m unable to comment on its design. Somewhere within this thread, I recall reading a post which provided an explanation of the type of energy generated within the iPhone; when you consider the fact the iPhone is uneven due to design when placed on a flat surface — the force from the energy generated within, provides a plausible explanation for many people experiencing their iPhones falling to the floor, from flat surfaces (when placed AWAY from edges and with vibrate turned OFF).

For those who insist on insisting this isn’t happening; I don’t see why anyone would waste their time reading comments about something that affects them in no way whatsoever. Then go a step further to waste their time to comment, on an issue that they aren’t even experiencing themselves. Seems close to the definition of redundant.

That is the funniest post I have seen in ages. "Energy" is making the phone slide off a table? Give me a break! No, it does not provide a plausible answer to anyone who knows the slightest thing about physics.

NCOMark wrote:

I recall reading a post which provided an explanation of the type of energy generated within the iPhone; when you consider the fact the iPhone is uneven due to design when placed on a flat surface — the force from the energy generated within, provides a plausible explanation for many people experiencing their iPhones falling to the floor, from flat surfaces (when placed AWAY from edges and with vibrate turned OFF).

And what "energy" would that be? No, the only plausible explanation is the one Lawrence has given. The table isn't level and force has been applied (possibly vibration from an alert).

NCOMark wrote:

Purely out of interest — on a scale of 1 to 10 . . . . . . how helpful are comments denying that this has actually happened to you??

In most cases, people aren't saying it isn't happening. They are explaining why it's not magic.

I love all this speculation from those who have not seen it for themselves. I'm including you Laurence you dream boat.

It IS energy - You are guilty of a failing of imagination. When it finally comes out what's causing it - it will technically be some form of energy being expended in play within the phone itself. The phone does not replicate this activity when its off.

It has nothing to do with alerts or standard phone vibrations

It has nothing to do with external vibrations being applied

I can watch my phone travel to the edge of various flat surfaces and drop to the ground.

At some point the cause will come to light and those of us who watch it happen every day will finally know.

Also all your suggestions about where or how to place the phone... I'm sure we can work that out ourselves. That's not the mystery. Its WHY the phones can hum themselves around that is the curiosity.

key tapper wrote:

It IS energy - You are guilty of a failing of imagination. When it finally comes out what's causing it - it will technically be some form of energy being expended in play within the phone itself. The phone does not replicate this activity when its off.

What is this mysterious energy? What the phone outputs is known and quantifiable (sound, heat, radio waves). And, it won't make the phone move to the edge of a table.

If energy makes things move, why doesn’t your computer fall off your desk? After all, it has probably 100 times the energy in you phone. And your toaster should be flying around the kitchen. Along with your TV. What about your stove? It has 1,000 times the energy in you iphone’s battery; it should be dancing around your kitchen. Speaking as an electrical engineer with over 50 years experience what you are suggesting is impossible and utter nonsense. And focusing on it will prevent you from finding the actual cause.

key tapper wrote:

You have really just reworded the question of this thread.

No, I haven't. You're assuming that such energy exists. I'm asking you to explain what you think it is. It's really a trick question, though.

Obviously there is an undocumented concrete vibrator hidden in there and its been activated by the Russians.

I dont know what it is. Its why I'm in this lovely forum. People are witnessing it and we're asking people with your experience to speculate as Apple are just ignoring it. This is not like a religion where I'm just having a strong feeling. I'm seeing it and testing it. Its a real thing whatever it is.