Verizon iPhone 5s toggles from 4G to 3G

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Level 2

196 points

Verizon iPhone 5s toggles from 4G to 3G

I have a Verizon 5s. My original was replaced recently, due to a logic board failure. The replacement (no idea if it is new or used) is now toggling from 4G (LTE) to 3G. I am in a 4G area with strong signals. My wife's 5c doesn't toggle to 3G. In my case it occasionally recovers to 4G. Generally I have to switch to airplane mode or else reboot the phone to get back to 4G. Until it switches to 3G. This all occurs sitting in one spot.

The Genius Bar told me to Reset All Settings, and if that fails Erase All Content and Settings and set up as a new phone. Neither has solved this problem. The old phone didn't have this problem (it would randomly reboot when I woke it). Has anyone heard of this problem?

iPhone 5s, iOS 7.0.1

Posted on Dec 23, 2013 6:56 PM

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Answer 1

sterling r

Community Specialist

Dec 26, 2013 9:15 AM in response to DesertRatR

Heya DestertRatR,

It sounds like your phone is not maintaing a consistent cellular connection after getting it replaced. I would try the troubleshooting steps in this article I found for you named:

iPhone: Troubleshooting a cellular data connection

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3780

Toggle airplane mode: Tap Settings, turn airplane mode on, wait three seconds, and then turn off again.

Restart your iPhone.

Ensure that your software is up to date:

Check for a Carrier Settings Update. Tap Settings > General > About.

Check for an iOS Software Update. Tap Settings > General > Software Update. Note: Some updates may require a Wi-Fi connection.

Remove the SIM Card and reinsert it. Allow the iPhone to acquire the network again.

If your SIM card has SIM PIN enabled, try toggling it off: Tap Settings > Phone > SIM PIN.

Try another location. If a different location works, but the original location still does not, contact your carrierto report the issue.

Reset network settings: Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Restore the iPhone as new.

Contact your carrier to:

Verify that the iPhone is properly set up on the account with the appropriate, current data plan.

Verify that there are no account-related blocks.

Find out if there are specific error messages in the carrier logs that could help determine why the issue is occurring.

If none of the above steps resolves the issue, contact your carrier, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store, or contact AppleCare to troubleshoot further.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

All the best,

Sterling

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Answer 2

DesertRatR Author

Level 2

196 points

Dec 26, 2013 9:54 AM in response to sterling r

Thank you Sterling. I'll report back what I discover after working thru the article. I have already restored the phone (after performing the two resets available in Settings). Nothing worked.

The Genius Bar pretty much blew me off when I took the phone in a couple of days ago. They remoted in to the phone and ran some diagniostics. No problems were reported. They guy I was working with was emphatic iPhones should toggle network connections, and that nothing was wrong with the hardware. He had no explanation when I pointed out that my wife's 5c doesn't toggle connections (he indicated phone chip is identical in both phone models).

I had previously called Verizon and discussed the switching with them. The tech support guy I spoke to indicated the phone shouldn't switch between LTE and 3G. But I couldn't get a read on his skill or experience level. I did post a description of the problem on Verizon's user forum. No responses yet.

I googled the issue a few days ago and came up with various articles, mainly with the iPhone 5. There was some buzz but no explanations, nor discussion as to hether or not the phenomenon is typical or to be expected. ATT phones were mentioned specifically, as I recall in one article. My take was the problem isnt unknown. What is unknown is whether the behavior is typical, and indicative of network behavior or phone hardware behavior.

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