iPhone XS and XS Max Owners Complain of Wi-Fi and LTE Connectivity Issues

[JWreck]

I can tell you that from my limited testing with consumer equipment, it seems both my iPad Pro 9.7” and my iPhone XS Max seem to jump around quite a bit, usually to 2.4GHz over the 5GHz band.

I reduced power of the 2.4GHz to a “low” setting and increased the 5GHz band to the highest setting and they still prefer 2.4GHz. Both devices exhibit the same behavior for me.

I have a Ubiquiti AC capable AP in each room of my house, so distance or obstructions aren’t the problems. (I made sure each test was connected to the expected device).

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

Anyway. What's the code to check strength

press UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, B, A, START

 

[dspdoc]

My XS Max is defaulting to and getting stuck on 2.4GHz. Had to actually MAC blacklist it on the 2.4GHz network for it to utilize 5.0GHz.

Whatever is going on, Apple can’t sit in this for long.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

Once again your experience doesn't speak for everyone else's. Share what is going on with your phone in your situation, but quit trying to make it sound like the rest of us that have already clearly stated we've used our phone in very fringe areas without issue. This issue is not impacting every single phone. Enough already!

What's a fringe area for you ? Would you mind posting an exact location or general area for reference .

 

[Baymowe335]

Those likely that are not having the problems are those in markets with saturated towers like a big city where you could be connected to one of ten towers at anytime . Rural users and those on the edge of coverage areas are not going to be able to use any of the XS phones . Just now I made an hour drive and I almost never had full signal. It seemed stuck on 1 to 2 bars the entire trip. The only way I could get 4 bars was to turn my cellular amp on and even then it struggled to give me 4 bars . Fix your crap Apple !!!

So your single case is applicable across the board...based completely on your “bars” experience?

Please, at least try to think critically.

 

[OTACORB]

I can tell you that from my limited testing with consumer equipment, it seems both my iPad Pro 9.7” and my iPhone XS Max seem to jump around quite a bit, usually to 2.4GHz over the 5GHz band.

I reduced power of the 2.4GHz to a “low” setting and increased the 5GHz band to the highest setting and they still prefer 2.4GHz. Both devices exhibit the same behavior for me.

I have a Ubiquiti AC capable AP in each room of my house, so distance or obstructions aren’t the problems. (I made sure each test was connected to the expected device).

It's far too many reporting issues with Wifi where the phone is locking on 2.4Ghz... it seems those same phones are also having reception problems on cellular. The phones that aren't having the 2.4Ghz and lock on just fine to the 5Ghz connection don't seem to have the cellular issue either. There seems to be a clear pattern developing... Maybe ! LOL

 

[Diamond Dog]

Whatever is going on, Apple can’t sit in this for long.

Agreed. For what it’s worth, I also tried installing the 12.1 beta and experienced the same behavior. So this must not have been on their radar at all pre iOS 12 or XS launch. I have to imagine (and hope) they’re scrambling for a fix right now.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

Whatever is going on, Apple can’t sit in this for long.

Well they are logging my data and I will keep ya'll updated tomorrow . I escalated it past a senior rep and we should know something tomorrow. For everyone who hasn't called yet please take the time and call in so we can get this fixed if possible.

 

[dspdoc]

Agreed. For what it’s worth, I also tried installing the 12.1 beta and experienced the same behavior. So this must not have been on their radar at all pre iOS 12 or XS launch. I have to imagine (and hope) they’re scrambling for a fix right now.

Which is a scary thought that Apple totally missed this. Begs the question, what kind of real world testing are they doing on these devices, and where?

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

It's far too many reporting issues with Wifi where the phone is locking on 2.4Ghz... it seems those same phones are also having reception problems on cellular. The phones that aren't having the 2.4Ghz and lock on just fine to the 5Ghz connection don't seem to have the cellular issue either. There seems to be a clear pattern developing... Maybe ! LOL

My phone has never had issues on wifi and I am connecting to a mesh network you might be on to something

 

[manhattanboy]

Which is a scary thought that Apple totally missed this. Begs the question, what kind of real world testing are they doing on these devices, and where?

You never know with these things. Last iPhone with antenna problems Apple left a prototype in a bar for strangers to test out, and obviously that real world test didn't help.

 

[decypher44]

No word from Apple yet?

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

So your single case is applicable across the board...based completely on your “bars” experience?

Please, at least try to think critically.

Based on my much lower field test numbers vs an Iphone 7 right next to it with almost 300 miles logged today. Today I tested AT&T but tomorrow it's Verizons turn for the drive back.

 

[myrtlebee]

Getting better reception on my Xs Max. No issues for me.

You are not representative of all users. We get it, you never have any issues with any Apple product ever. I’ve been seeing your posts for years and you always relish in posting in any thread people have issues just to say “not me.”

 

[Baymowe335]

Based on my much lower field test numbers vs an Iphone 7 right next to it with almost 300 miles logged today. Today I tested AT&T but tomorrow it's Verizons turn for the drive back.

Remember when the iPhone 7 needed a software fix for their LTE issues?

You’re also still just one, non scientific case.

 

[OTACORB]

What's a fringe area for you ? Would you mind posting an exact location or general area for reference .

Pickneyville/Fort Adams area in LA. Getting a signal in that area has always been hit and miss. When I went to visit family... my sister in law used my phone and made two calls because her phone had no service, yet I had one bar. Surprised as I was leaving I got a call and talked all the way back into the city.. Not one dropped call. Look I can't explain this anymore than you can. I am just sharing my experience. I just think making generalizing because of your experience and trying to say its that way for everyone is just not accurate. I do absolutely believe there are phones out there with serious issues. I am just fortunate that it would appear at this time mine is not one of them.

Tell you another experience I've had in my office in the city I usually only have 1 bar with any phone I use and usually the internet doesn't work and if it does it is dog slow. This Max while it only had 1 bar was pulling down pages and loading up stuff and I honestly thought I was on Wifi, but I wasn't because in this particular office they don't even have wifi. I can't explain that either...

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

Remember when the iPhone 7 needed a software fix for their LTE issues?

You’re also still just one, non scientific case.

Never had any issues with my Iphone 7 and it sounds to me like you work for apple . I do know the problem you are talking about and whats going on with the new phones isn't even related to that . Apple will get my dash cam footage of the phones with 600 miles of data and logging. I don't know how you can get anymore scientific of a case than that !

 

[alien3dx]

It's far too many reporting issues with Wifi where the phone is locking on 2.4Ghz... it seems those same phones are also having reception problems on cellular. The phones that aren't having the 2.4Ghz and lock on just fine to the 5Ghz connection don't seem to have the cellular issue either. There seems to be a clear pattern developing... Maybe ! LOL

my iphone 5s getting weird on ios 11, at home i used 5GHz which are automatic. Hope this just software issue for those new buyer iphone.

 

[Baymowe335]

Never had any issues with my Iphone 7 and it sounds to me like you work for apple . I do know the problem you are talking about and whats going on with the new phones isn't even related to that . Apple will get my dash cam footage of the phones with 600 miles of data and logging. I don't know how you can get anymore scientific of a case than that !

Open a ticket. Point is, an LTE issue was resolved with software on the iPhone 7.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

Open a ticket. Point is, an LTE issue was resolved with software on the iPhone 7.

Did you read the post that you just quoted ?

 

[Tibits]

Rural users and those on the edge of coverage areas are not going to be able to use any of the XS phones.

stop

 

[pat500000]

maxipad will go back home to apple store.

 

[OTACORB]

maxipad will go back home to apple store.

Wait the maxipad hasn't be released yet. Tim is planning that one for next year! It's even reusable they are amazing and Apple is the first. hehehe

 

[johannnn]

This 2.4GHz vs 5GHz issue, is it only when the two SSIDs are the same? Or even when they’re not?

If the former, why would anyone have the same name? I’ve honestly never seen such naming. If the latter, that would be a problem for me.

 

[ROLLTIDE1]

stop

So your going to go with there is a bad batch of phones ? It's one or the other