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iPhone Home Button Sometimes Unresponsive - Will Apple Replace?

Mines does it all the time. Drives me crazy. Sometimes I can hit the phone against something and it will start working again.

Closest apple store is like 200 miles :-/.
 
It's called the "temperamental home button" problem and it made me not use the doublclick-to-multitask feature all that much, but I've too learned to live with it.
 
globalist said:
It's called the "temperamental home button" problem and it made me not use the doublclick-to-multitask feature all that much, but I've too learned to live with it.
Click to expand...

Had the same problem, I always tried to avoid using the home button because of it. I restored my iPhone and the button works perfectly now, or has for the past several weeks. Hopefully it doesn't start again.
 
I bought my iPhone 4 in December and just recently my home button has become unresponsive at random times. I'd say 30-40% of the time, it's not doing what it's supposed to do.

I figure it won't hurt to do a system restore but if that doesn't help, will bring it in to a Genius Bar.
 
My brother just had his replaced for a temperamental home button. It was a week past the warranty.
 
This has to be my number one gripe with the iPhone.
We are fast approaching the 5th hardware version of this device and the one thing that has stayed the same is the home button. I'm sure that before the addition of multitasking in the software this was just fine, but it's simply not up to the task of heavy double-tapping use over a period of time.
Surely apple can think of a better, more suitable solution?
I've changed my iPhone 4 for this exact reason, and was well pleased to learn that gestures were available when I got my iPad2... those gestures, in conjunction withe the smart cover, mean that I VERY rarely touch the home button on the iPad. Let's have a similar practical solution with the iPhone, please?!


Cheers, Jay.
Sent from my iPad 2
 
NWI73 said:
Wait they have to receive yours before they send a replacement, leaving the user without a phone for a day or 2? U serious? They won't send the replacement first then include return instructions so that the user isn't left without a phone? So they will take your word that the issue your having is legit or what?
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They only do that if you have Apple care and they put a hold on your card for the amount of the phone.

Sometimes if you don't have Apple Care you can pay for the advanced replacement option which was like £35 in the UK.

I have done it a few times as I got Apple Care from eBay for £20 so it saves the hassle of being without a phone.
 
I've just purchased this case and it came with a "home button protector" which works like a charm. No more temperamental home button issue for me. :p
 
RossMc said:
They only do that if you have Apple care and they put a hold on your card for the amount of the phone.

Sometimes if you don't have Apple Care you can pay for the advanced replacement option which was like £35 in the UK.

I have done it a few times as I got Apple Care from eBay for £20 so it saves the hassle of being without a phone.
Click to expand...

They did it for me w/o Applecare, but I did have to ask. They took my CC info and said that If they didn't receive my original unit within 'x' days they would charge my card for the second phone.
 
I'm having the same issue - when I press the home button it would think I'm double clicking it resulting in opening of the multi-tasking bar. Otherwise, it would do nothing. If I press it hard then it would work but it's not stable like my 1 year old iPad.
 
Mine was two and a half weeks out of warranty from launch or so, and the genius there pressed the home button twice and said, "yeah, let me get you another one." Apple for the win.
 
Thanks for the thread!!

Mine started doing this a week ago or so. I had just installed the latest updated so I thought that it might be that. I closed all my open apps and restarted the phone and I haven't had a problem since. Figured that it was just a glitch so I appreciate all the comments in this thread. It really keys me into an overall issue that I will keep my eyes open for. Thanks!!
 
A friend of mine was having this issue. After a bit of research on the web, we did the following:

Whacked iPhone against thigh a couple of times.

That was weeks ago. It hasn't happened since.

Seriously. This is a true story.
 
This happens to me on and off. I have a feeling if I went to the Apple Store to get it replaced, it would be at a time when it's not acting up and I wouldn't be able to recreate the problem.
 
My iPhone 4 was acting a little slow and the home button was sometimes un-responsive. When I called Apple Care Tech Support they informed it might be a virus. I didn't think that was possible on a non-jailbroken iOS device. Maybe malware. She suggested to clear all data and do NOT restore from backup; just sync all files from your computer.

I guess the Apple Care rep was right; my home button works now since I had it replaced in the Apple Store for free, it was under warranty. It was probably just malware from visiting a site.

Just as an FYI, the Genius Bar, at the Apple store, will replace a cracked screen as a one time deal to make you happy...:D
 
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From your contradictory post do I detect cynicism? If so, I like it!

davidsdiego said:
My iPhone 4 was acting a little slow and the home button was sometimes un-responsive. When I called Apple Care Tech Support they informed it might be a virus. I didn't think that was possible on a non-jailbroken iOS device. Maybe malware. She suggested to clear all data and do NOT restore from backup; just sync all files from your computer.

I guess the Apple Care rep was right; my home button works now since I had it replaced in the Apple Store for free, it was under warranty. I tried a bunch of ways to check if the issue would return and the home button is responsive every single time. It was probably just malware from visiting a site.

Just as an FYI, the Genius Bar, at the Apple store, will replace a cracked screen as a one time deal to make you happy...:D
Click to expand...
 
I've been having this issue for a few months too but it didn't really bother me enough to take it to the Apple shop. It's gotten worse recently, and my friend dropped my phone so the back of it is smashed. I plan on taking it in to get the back swapped, but is it worth mentioning my dodgy home button, or will they just say it's likely because I dropped it? Or should I get the back fixed and maybe go in a few weeks time about the home button?

I got it on launch so it's been over a year now.
 
RossMacca said:
I've been having this issue for a few months too but it didn't really bother me enough to take it to the Apple shop. It's gotten worse recently, and my friend dropped my phone so the back of it is smashed. I plan on taking it in to get the back swapped, but is it worth mentioning my dodgy home button, or will they just say it's likely because I dropped it? Or should I get the back fixed and maybe go in a few weeks time about the home button?

I got it on launch so it's been over a year now.
Click to expand...


Just make an appointment with a Genius, at the Apple Store, and I'm sure they will replace it for you if it's under warranty.

----------
JustLeft said:
From your contradictory post do I detect cynicism? If so, I like it!
Click to expand...

How did I contradict myself? My phone had malware causing the home button not to function properly and the Genius could not replicate the issue in person. He gave me a new phone (probably refurbished). Anyway, take care...:cool:
 
I took mine in on a busy day and I said "Sometimes randomly my home button works other time it takes multiple times to work" and the genius said "ok" and came back out with a new phone.

I was like, really?


Edit: A tip as well if you are just trying to get a new phone (useful if you want a new one to sell), go in the store and claim it's not working...if you use your thumbnail and click above the center of the button, it won't register, but it will still click down and make a noise. Doing this you can act frustrated and pretend it's not working (esp with double clicking). Do it a few times then double click normal and it'll bring up the multi tasking, should be enough to convince the genius.
 
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This thread is just over 7 months old. I've had 3 iPhone 4's with failed buttons. Apple has replaced each one. Hopefully they will continue to till the iPhone 6 is released. I'd hate to think this model won't last for a meager 2 years.
 
hey I know this is an old thread but I recently found a "fix" for the home button and it worked for me, it might work for you too. give it a shot before throwing the phone away or buying a new one.

Read the 1st comment on this blog.

http://www.tipb.com/2011/01/04/tipb-bug-home-button-working-iphone/

"1.) Open any application

2.) Press and hold the power button until the slide to shutdown swipe bar appears.

3.) Release Power button

4.) Press and hold Home button Lightly
until screen returns to icon screen

5.) Enjoy your functioning home button!!!

This procedure recalibrates the home button after normal wear or heavy use."
 
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