iOS6 causes the iPhone 3GS to crash

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iOS6 causes the iPhone 3GS to crash

I own an iPhone 3GS. It used to work like a dream. Then Apple recommended upgrading from iOS5 to iOS6. I did. Now, iOS6 causes my iPhone 3GS to crash every single time I go online using Cellular, unless my phone is plugged in, indicating that the issue is battery-related -- yet my battery is perfectly fine. There are literally hundreds of reports of the same nuisance out there written by hundreds of irritated users. Downgrading to iOS 5 is not allowed by Apple. Is this a gracious hint that I should trash my iPhone 3GS? I guess I'll have to do so, and next thing I'll be forced to buy a Galaxy, which is disgraceful, because I enjoy syncing through the iCloud -- in fact, I am an increasingly frustrated, very long term Mac user. I truly hope that Apple will come up with a patch to iOS6 that's gentler on the iPhone 3GS battery.

I really miss Steve Jobs.

Posted on Mar 7, 2014 5:23 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 7, 2014 5:30 AM in response to Purkinje

List the troubleshooting steps that you have tried so far.

Examples:

1) Restart the device

2) Reset the device

3) Reset All Settings of the device

4) Restore from a backup

5) Restore as new

Which of these have you tried, and what effect has it had?

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Answer 2

Purkinje Author

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Mar 7, 2014 5:32 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

I tried all, no effect.

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Answer 3

Mar 7, 2014 5:44 AM in response to Purkinje

If you've restored it as new properly, and still having the issue, then it's a hardware fault, not a software fault.

You can get the device replaced by Apple. If within warranty (unlikely, but possible), it's free. If not within warranty, Apple offers an out-of-warranty option for $149 to replace your iPhone 3GS.

My old iPhone 3GS that I use basically as an iPod Touch now, runs iOS 6, and has for some time. I've even updated to 6.1.6, and had no issues.

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Answer 4

Purkinje Author

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Mar 7, 2014 5:58 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

Did this hardware fault occur instantly as I switched to the new iOS? Instead, I think that the new iOS in some way pushes the battery too hard causing the phone to turn off. When it does, you have to plug it in, and it often takes it several minutes before you can finally turn it back on.

Incidentally, I wrote that I have a problem when I use Cellular, but connecting through wifi gives me the same problem.

Also, please look at this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4325659?answerId=19887571022#19887571022.

Thank you.

PS, if you use your iPhone as an iPod touch, you may have no issues just because it's plugged in.

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Answer 5

Mar 7, 2014 6:17 AM in response to Purkinje

There's a difference between that thread (battery draining faster than expected) and your issue (device crashing unless plugged into power).

It's not the iOS. If it was the iOS, then every 3GS running iOS 6.1.6 would have the same problem. And they don't.

And I only plug in my 3GS when it needs to be charged up. It's not always plugged in. So no, that's not a factor.

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Answer 6

Purkinje Author

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Mar 7, 2014 7:03 AM in response to TJBUSMC1973

have you tried going online with your iPhone3GS used as an iPod without plugging it in? Such as for listening to internet radios?

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Answer 7

Purkinje Author

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Mar 7, 2014 7:09 AM in response to Purkinje

here's a more pertinent thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2544949?start=330&tstart=0

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Answer 8

Mar 7, 2014 7:45 AM in response to Purkinje

Yes, I've gone online using wi-fi with my 3GS, without connected to power.

The thread you linked is from August 2010.

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