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

ROLLTIDE1 said:
I set mine up as new also and have horrible cellular problems. So I am not sure that fix will work .
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I wonder if by doing the DFU restore via iTunes might be different than just setting up as new out of the box. The DFU restore actually downloads and re-installs iOS. It might be worth a shot for those who are having constant issues. If nothing else, it would be good info to pass along to Apple if it did work.
 
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ROLLTIDE1 said:
I set mine up as new also and have horrible cellular problems. So I am not sure that fix will work .
Click to expand...

Reading through the comments:

url owner‏ @url_owner 4h4 hours ago
Replying to @drinkjuiceshelb @MacRumors and
if I simply set the phone up as new will this also resolve the issue? or must you completely restore via itunes so it downloads ios 12 again?

DrinkJuiceShelb‏ @drinkjuiceshelb 3h3 hours ago
Complete restore with iTunes and as New device unfortunately. It’s literally night and day now. Blazing speeds.
Click to expand...

So even if you set your phone up as new, it still needs to be restored and set up as new again. Not sure if any of this works, but that seems to be what he's saying. If anyone does this please post your results.
 
I mentioned back on page 12 of this thread that maybe its an issue with restoring from an old backup. Although it certainly would be nice to be able to selectively choose what to restore (like photos/videos) instead of just doing a complete restore of everything. It also explains why some have issues while others don't. I restored from a backup and don't seem to have any issues. Still sounds like software bug with the reset network settings not properly working. Hopefully if thats all then it should be fixable in a future release.

notgonna said:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-max-even-worse-than-iphone-x.2140854/page-26

DrinkJuiceShelb on Twitter: "@MacRumors @reneritchie @9to5mac an hour on the phone with Apple, we fixed the issue with W…



"an hour on the phone with Apple, we fixed the issue with WiFi/Cellular on iPhone Xs Max. You have to restore with a computer without a backup. I know its crazy to think we still have to do this, but it worked and fixed both WiFi and Cellular!"


"Complete restore with iTunes and as New device unfortunately. It’s literally night and day now. Blazing speeds." Then no restoring from backup.
Click to expand...
 
powaking said:
I mentioned back on page 12 of this thread that maybe its an issue with restoring from an old backup. Although it certainly would be nice to be able to selectively choose what to restore (like photos/videos) instead of just doing a complete restore of everything. It also explains why some have issues while others don't. I restored from a backup and don't seem to have any issues. Still sounds like software bug with the reset network settings not properly working. Hopefully if thats all then it should be fixable in a future release.
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I hope that it is as simple as this, but I don't think that it is. If it were I would venture to bet that Apple would have already commented telling everyone to do this.
 
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lordhamster said:
XS Max on Project Fi (T-Mobile) near downtown Cleveland, OH. Inside a brick building mind you...

FpHnxDmAz6nKtRTmfP2zqicUUGx6dy9Dg46VRxDevtOsEdSkDvghoz6YLd_8RE7d0c-syTlu2CrdiHPZCtxfOQ0pwdnXX6USJdXucnvqwYySp3PL0rAGZbToICYUIuGLcGQIamH_7RlJ4H9l2OVV1Phxsoe69o23unBueOW-7vJI-cKCMDKkgYEt3B8DzhQyv_Yq8sp0At-jWdDMuKYF-OkBE8ETP_0GNDk8jJqZIWrRPf2fihssIqn_QPAsSPXVXb0Cg5OkJ_lSvaIdeA4IH8VP3q1sFp-T3cY9Ptv4r81OXdssn-ZR-Mewgnyo0gTPm_WG_D_M6Uri0KmHIqwYZzKAw1KAfRsvT72bjZxAIgJTRzTD8hZLPNghzBeAOb6_CVP5X0_IOcB9JG4Dc_yWR_vcMF7iH9nTOenGplGuWWZeEZDJoNK_U8NqViTcjNW8Ytgbx7euKmf0KCtMimop2lk72b6KWVsuIE4qcSpuXuU0QERfC3Qm4oMxIl_mF43X1lwPz1Hd1xvZJ131CVmhCnNPrakWEIFp79ZN9sd4BQEtzSx0o4m_XiDrB8oAYf8VO_vKBP2KaVpLMRm0zqrCTO4uupDzza_MLWWK7GRNJaPI42MQNTDSLAHc6A=w350-h200-no
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Hopefully the building does not have bars and guards too!
 
VineRider said:
I wonder if by doing the DFU restore via iTunes might be different than just setting up as new out of the box. The DFU restore actually downloads and re-installs iOS. It might be worth a shot for those who are having constant issues. If nothing else, it would be good info to pass along to Apple if it did work.
Click to expand...
I will give it a try this evening and pass my findings to apple
 
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elitypes said:
A lot of people are posting about the number of signal bars they have. I think it's been stated how that is not a good indicator. It would be better if people would be able to post speed test results as that's more data to look at vs bars which aren't really representative?

I've posted a few times on this thread already but I'll lay it out so maybe it'll help others corroborate their experience. Again if you are not having issues then that's awesome and I'm jealous. But it does seem like this is more than a "oh hey look at these guys complaining about nothing"

My issue details:
  • iPhone Xs Max on AT&T - activated in apple store with a new SIM
  • located in NYC
  • previous phone was the 7+ on AT&T
  • LTE/cell service - averaging ~1-3 mbps in ALL locations where I have had ~30+ mbps prior
  • wifi - averaging ~10 mbps on known networks where I have had ~100+ mbps prior
  • All speed tests done with Ookla
  • Wife's iPhone 6s, iPad Air 2, MBP (~2015), and all other devices are performing normally on the same network
What I have tried with no results:
  • Updated carrier settings: AT&T v33.2
  • Reset network settings
  • Reset modem/router (using Airport Extreme)
  • Airplane mode on/off
  • Power on/off
Conclusions:
  • I know people are doubting the veracity of these posts, but I am definitely confirming my problems
  • Some people think this is only affecting those in rural/fringe areas. That's not true as I am in NYC
  • I have raised an Apple support ticket and tried speaking with support via chat - they were unhelpful
  • I have an appointment in store this afternoon and will post if I receive any more information
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Ok super lame to quote myself, but wanted to post a follow up to my issue summary.

I just went to the genius bar to show them the LTE/WiFi issues I have been having. I showed them a ton of speedtest results (Ookla) over the past few days showing LTE speeds averaging ~1-3 mbps (lowest on record is 0.6) as well as wifi speeds averaging ~10 mbps. I also ran some more speed tests in person to demonstrate including connecting to the Apple store wifi and getting ~20 mbps (highest on my Xs Max yet).

The genius wasn't sure what to do and went to speak with a colleague. They both came back and his colleague mentioned how they are hearing about these issues. I have been the first in person at that store, but they've been hearing it's widespread. They ran a diagnostic on my phone and confirmed no other issues.

Ultimately they logged my support ticket with all the details and told me to hang tight until Apple looks into it and maybe issues a software update. They said they could swap out my phone, but we all believed that would not solve the issue. For those concerned I did ask them about the ~14 day return window and if I would be impacted by waiting to see what happens with software, and I was told it would not be an issue to swap for a new device beyond the 14 day window given they logged my problem and are seeming to hear it from more customers.

TL;DR: Went to Apple in NYC to discuss poor LTE/WiFi speeds, was told they have heard about the issue and to hang tight for potential updates/word from Apple.
 
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uecker87 said:
Field test mode. Dial *3001#12345*#

Band can be found in LTE->Serving Cell Info
Signal info can be found in LTE->Serving Cell Meas
CA if being used can be found in LTE->CA Status
Click to expand...

My XS Max is reporting T-Mobile LTE band 66. This might explain why I am seeing better reception and download/upload speeds with my XS than with my previous 6 Plus that didn't support band 66.

Signal strength varies between -81 to -95 from inside my home.

Regarding Wifi, it has stuck to the 5GHz network after I did a Forget Network when it initially connected to the 2.4 network during phone setup. Netgear Orbi Router and Satellite with a single SSID.
 
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I haven't read all 23 pages of this thread. I used to have all of these issues with my iPhone 6. Phone reception really bad when 4G was enabled so I used to go in and disable 4G when I didn't specifically want it, I would then get full signal. Something else that used to happen is one particular Hue light used to switch itself back on randomly within 5 minutes of me turning it off. Often enough to be really annoying.

I updated to an 8 Plus in feb and both of these things were a thing of the past. I never gave the reception another thought and the light never misbehaved again. But I didn't get on with the size of the 8 Plus it was just too big for my pockets so I pre-ordered the XS taking a considerable hit in cost.

And now the reception is exactly like my 6 used to be and bizarrely the computer room light has switched itself back on every night after I switched it off since having the XS.

To say I'm gutted is putting it mildly because I was quick in selling my 8 Plus to a friend while it was still worth a good chunk. There is no option that makes financial sense other than to just keep the phone and put up with the problems. It didn't occur to me for a second that I'd be going backwards to that. My fault for pre-ordering a launch day device, I should have known better but I figured being an interactive 'S' release they'd have ironed the kinks out :(
 
Bacillus said:
I consider that a plea for more thorough pre-launch field testing with more samples.
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No matter how many samples you do and bugs you find, there will be those that don't appear until after you ship.

WatchFromAfar said:
Then don't release a buggy version, release it next month, next year; oh Apple can't do that can they? iPhones must ship in September.
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They could have waited another 3 years with more samples and *still* would have had problems. Obviously there's a point where you have to release it when you hit that 99%. Again, this seems like such an overblown issue in general.

Fattytail said:
Sure, but sometimes problems aren't uncovered until you get an appreciable number of devices in the wild.
Click to expand...

Exactly the point, I like how he said to do the opposite and then liked your post seemingly agreeing that it's nearly impossible.
 
elitypes said:
Ok super lame to quote myself, but wanted to post a follow up to my issue summary.

I just went to the genius bar to show them the LTE/WiFi issues I have been having. I showed them a ton of speedtest results (Ookla) over the past few days showing LTE speeds averaging ~1-3 mbps (lowest on record is 0.6) as well as wifi speeds averaging ~10 mbps. I also ran some more speed tests in person to demonstrate including connecting to the Apple store wifi and getting ~20 mbps (highest on my Xs Max yet).

The genius wasn't sure what to do and went to speak with a colleague. They both came back and his colleague mentioned how they are hearing about these issues. I have been the first in person at that store, but they've been hearing it's widespread. They ran a diagnostic on my phone and confirmed no other issues.

Ultimately they logged my support ticket with all the details and told me to hang tight until Apple looks into it and maybe issues a software update. They said they could swap out my phone, but we all believed that would not solve the issue. For those concerned I did ask them about the ~14 day return window and if I would be impacted by waiting to see what happens with software, and I was told it would not be an issue to swap for a new device beyond the 14 day window given they logged my problem and are seeming to hear it from more customers.

TL;DR: Went to Apple in NYC to discuss poor LTE/WiFi speeds, was told they have heard about the issue and to hang tight for potential updates/word from Apple.
Click to expand...
It troubles me that any Apple employee would state that they are hearing about these issues. My Xs was ordered from AT&T. I am wondering if they will be as flexible with the 14 day window due to the issues? If not I would assume I could go directly through Apple even though the phone was purchased from AT&T no?
 
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