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Words for warning: Don't update your 4S to iOS 7 unless you don't want you wifi to work

I now have two Iphone 4s phones (ATT 32GB and ATT 64GB) that have screwed up wifi antennas thanks to iOS 7.1 update. Sometimes they connect, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they run fast but most of the time the wifi speed is slower than dialup (according to Speedtest.net app). A call to Apple was a complete waste of time. For $208, I can send my phone in for repair...thanks, but no thanks. They equated my 4s to a dinasour. I reminded the manager that they are still selling these dinasours in the stores. This wifi issue is a common problem on-line and at the ATT stores, but does Apple stand behind their product...no. I just bought my wife a 5S 32gb that is taking everything in my being to not return right now (within 14 days at Verizon). If I am paying ripoff apple prices, I expect premium hardware... or at least premium hardware that has value later in thier life that isn't destroyed by thier own software updates. I understand that things break over time (I own a Ford), but when it is due to an update, then Apple should cover that or at least subsidize some part of it. That is all I ask. I have always liked the simplicity of Apple products and that they just work. However, my patience has been tried when this latest iphone which had a value of close to $300 is worth dirt now. Just wanted to pass on words of warning for the few of you who haven't upgraded. Apparently this can affect 4, 4s, and 5 models. There are a few "new" features that my Android has had several updates ago so an update would be a nice option. Oh well. Good luck!

iPhone 4S

Posted on Jun 8, 2014 8:57 PM

Reply
30 replies

Jun 8, 2014 9:18 PM in response to stangcbr

It actually isn't the antenna it is the WiFi chip. Some people have had some luck putting it in a baggie and then into a freezer for about 10 minutes and then warming it with a hair dryer. Use Google for more details.


Others have had success with this: Call AppleCare and immediately ask to be transferred to Custome Service. Keep asking for a supervisor or manager until you reach a reasonable conclusion.

Jun 9, 2014 5:49 AM in response to deggie

Thanks for the response. I agree, it is probably the wifi chip or controller, although no one knows for sure. It seems that the repairs on different forums are temporary. I have done plenty of research on this issue and I just want a permenent fix. I talked to a customer service rep, and then a manager. Nothing resulted except to send it in for $208 (with shipping) for a repair. They wouldn't even partially subsidize the repair, nor would they offer an upgraded phone for cheaper. The first rep saidI needed to go to an apple store which is about 6 hours away, and they could possibly do something. I think he just wanted me off the phone.


A question for whoever is reading this. If you have this problem, did you do your iOS 7 update over the air or through itunes? Mine were over the air, and I have a theory that could have caused it. Thanks!

Jun 9, 2014 6:17 AM in response to stangcbr

stangcbr wrote:


Nothing resulted except to send it in for $208 (with shipping) for a repair. They wouldn't even partially subsidize the repair, nor would they offer an upgraded phone for cheaper.


They did offer to subsidize the repair. Your device is outside of warranty. Another iPhone 4S 8GB would cost you $450: http://store.apple.com/us/buy-iphone/iphone4s


They offered to replace it for $199.

$251 discount. That's 55.8% off. They ARE giving you a break.

Jun 9, 2014 6:56 AM in response to AmishCake

Yes, really SMARTphone is useless without internet connection, and in my case, WI-FI because I can get it for FREE almost everywhere (home, school, trains ) where I live.

If my need is only to call, text, I would never buy iPhone or any other smartphone, and use simple mobile phone instead.

Another point is FREE, and when it is free you get unlimited freedom to talk (skypeapp), text (whatsapp). As a student who has limited income, I am limited to do it without free wi-fi.


I guess I forgot to add 'In my case,...' in my statement since easy access to information is very important to me. Many people buy smartphones because they like to play games on it, or just because it looks better than simple phone, so do not judge 🙂, many have differenet needs.

Have a sunny day 😉!

Jun 9, 2014 10:42 AM in response to mkaie

Hair dryer effect worked! But I still have a problem, it doesn't find my wi-fi network....


So I did the following:
1. Kept drying my iPhone 4 with a hair dryer for about 6-7min until I got 'Temperature' message.

2. Let it cool down.
3. After it cooled down, restarted it.
4. Wi-Fi function button on/off started to work!!!!
5. Around 15min after I turned on wi-fi button, it could find my wi-fi network, but quickly lost it.
6. I restart again, it could not find it.
7. I reset it, and also did Reset Network Settings again, but it still cannot find my wi-fi network.

Jun 9, 2014 6:00 PM in response to TJBUSMC1973

Thank you for your useless comments TJBUSMC1973. How about a car analogy... would you like to pay 50% of the value of your car to fix (or replace) it following an ECU or TCU update simply because their update wasn't properly regression tested on legacy hardware. That makes sense! (sarcastic comment) Then, would you want to pay that much money to buy the same faulty car (refurbished) that already can't handle the newer update. Forget any future updates. That makes even more sense! (another sarcastic comment) You also aren't taking into account the lower present value of the phones in your calculations so they are flawed for that reason too.


Mkaie, thank you for having common sense and trying to help out. Good luck with your situation.

Jun 22, 2014 5:46 AM in response to deggie

Sad news. I could not fix my wi fi grey out problem 😟 I used two days surfing internet, got sick of it and decided to postpone fixing it until further, but now I ve got huge bill on using mobile data, so I must change this phone.


Humac apple store told that it will cost me in total to check and replace my iPhone4 for about 190euros....
It really feels bad that I have to pay for something I did not cause. Reading posts about similar problem confirms that.


If anyone knows site or any source where I can write my complain to Apple, so 'this type of problem' can reach bosses and they make some action like offering replacement for free to other people (who will experience the same in future), please reply to this post.

Words for warning: Don't update your 4S to iOS 7 unless you don't want you wifi to work

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