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My iPhone 4 signal issues are gone...
- Thread starter jav6454
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Huh. I had my reservations, but I figured "Why the hell not." My iPhone 4 demonstrates the signal loss pretty loosely/spottily, but usually in my apartment is when it happens.
I didn't even put electrical tape or cut or anything - I popped out the tray and took out the card, looked at it, set it back in the tray and wiggled it a bit and slid the tray back in the phone (which, by the way, much sturdier than the iPhone 3G tray).
This was about 10-15 minutes ago. Since then, I've had a consistent, solid 5 bars 3G service, and no amount of gripping or fondling has deteriorated that signal whatsoever...
Gotta say, surprised but pleased. Let's see if this maintains. As of this moment, this phone is downright perfect - no camera issues, no screen issues, no proximity issues, and (as-of-now) no service issues.
I didn't even put electrical tape or cut or anything - I popped out the tray and took out the card, looked at it, set it back in the tray and wiggled it a bit and slid the tray back in the phone (which, by the way, much sturdier than the iPhone 3G tray).
This was about 10-15 minutes ago. Since then, I've had a consistent, solid 5 bars 3G service, and no amount of gripping or fondling has deteriorated that signal whatsoever...
Gotta say, surprised but pleased. Let's see if this maintains. As of this moment, this phone is downright perfect - no camera issues, no screen issues, no proximity issues, and (as-of-now) no service issues.
I tried it by putting a piece of scotch tape on the edge where the SIM contact seems to be touching the tray. It did not do anything. I use the Speed Test app to test the results and they are exactly the same as before doing the mod (the download and upload both hang and then actually start decreasing when I bridge the gap with my finger and start to go back up when i remove the finger).
I didn't wait the 20 minutes so now im trying it again.
I didn't wait the 20 minutes so now im trying it again.
SIM tray made of metal = conductive
That's double failure on your understandment. Also, if isn't true for you, it doesn't mean it isn't true for everyone. Read the thread, results are varied.
Paper clip does it fine too.
Back in the days of paper, we used something called a "paper clip". If you can find one of these mythical items, bend it and use that as your SIM card tray ejection tool.
Dude! I think Apple owes you a free phone!
Just got home, pulled out the sim, sure enough, a tiny bit on the edge of the SIM card is brassed from touching the tray. So I carefully cut a tiny piece of scotch tape, placed it over the SIM so just a hair is showing through the tray, nice not overly snug fit.
No matter what I do, I can not get the bars to go down, so I will see how this all works out tomorrow when I am in an area of poor reception.
Crossing my fingers but I think most of us already know that the contacts on the SIM card should not be touching metal so this might just get resolved with a software update and a new SIM card tray.
Here's to hoping for the best!
Just got home, pulled out the sim, sure enough, a tiny bit on the edge of the SIM card is brassed from touching the tray. So I carefully cut a tiny piece of scotch tape, placed it over the SIM so just a hair is showing through the tray, nice not overly snug fit.
No matter what I do, I can not get the bars to go down, so I will see how this all works out tomorrow when I am in an area of poor reception.
Crossing my fingers but I think most of us already know that the contacts on the SIM card should not be touching metal so this might just get resolved with a software update and a new SIM card tray.
Here's to hoping for the best!
J
jvanalstyne
Guest
I checked, and the SIM card on my iPad appears to touch the metal tray. I have not had any problems connecting to any 3G networks, but admittedly, I typically use WiFi. Of note:
- The iPad uses aluminum for the frame, not steel
- The aluminum frame is not part of the antenna
- While the tray overlaps the SIM card, there is a VERY miniscule gap between the contacts of the SIM card and the tray; The card and tray appear to be touching, but in reality are not
Exactly. I even made mention of it in a previous page that you have omited.
It's a 20 page thread, not that easy to find a particular post.
EDIT: You should add a poll to this thread so we could see exactly how many people this helped.
Video how to
Can someone make a video how-to?
I see some people can get this to work without trimming the SIM or putting on tape. Maybe it's something about the way you slide in the tray.
Even better if you can record the whole thing where it works; re-insert "the bad way" to show the death grip effect; then put it in right again. Better if you don't have to wait 15 minutes before re-inserting.
That's nearly the gold standard.
Can someone make a video how-to?
I see some people can get this to work without trimming the SIM or putting on tape. Maybe it's something about the way you slide in the tray.
Even better if you can record the whole thing where it works; re-insert "the bad way" to show the death grip effect; then put it in right again. Better if you don't have to wait 15 minutes before re-inserting.
That's nearly the gold standard.
I stand corrected on the sim tray. I tested it with a magnet etc. Its metal. I have a precisely cut peice of electrical tape on the sim card now. No change for me.
I really haven't been having issues with my phone since day one but then again taking out the sim was one of the first things I did early on within 24 hours of having the device. I'm geeky like that....
okay... I came up with a perfect way to test to see if this truely affects the problem... I am currently uploading a video to YouTube to show you!
- Joe
- Joe
I have been working on this for 2 hours and i think i made it worse it in terms of reception.
Interestingly, I can't get the call to fail. I was calling from a landline to my iphone while applying the death grip, kung fu grip, you name it. The bars dropped to 1 bar but the conversation and the audio on both ends stayed good. I kept this up for 10 minutes. NO DROPS. I even called and recieved called at 1 bar. The phone even changed from 3G to E and the call stayed put.
Drop calls is extremely rare for me...on all 3 iphones.
Interestingly, I can't get the call to fail. I was calling from a landline to my iphone while applying the death grip, kung fu grip, you name it. The bars dropped to 1 bar but the conversation and the audio on both ends stayed good. I kept this up for 10 minutes. NO DROPS. I even called and recieved called at 1 bar. The phone even changed from 3G to E and the call stayed put.
Drop calls is extremely rare for me...on all 3 iphones.
okay... I came up with a perfect way to test to see if this truely affects the problem... I am currently uploading a video to YouTube to show you!
- Joe
Looking forward to that.
This tape method didnt work for me. Although now that I simply popped the sim in and out without tape I have 3 bars where before I'd quickly drop to 2 or 1 when just holding the phone.
If signal strength has anything to do with the sim which it probably does, the OP is probably onto something and it all lies within this new micro-sim. That explains why most people me included never had 3g issues on our 3GS'
I popped the sim card in and out twice, no go. Doesn't matter though, I use a case (speck candyshell -- nice!) but worth trying.
And dang, getting that case off was tough.
And dang, getting that case off was tough.
J
jvanalstyne
Guest
Whatever the case, I hope they don't delay the white iPhone 4 release because of this. I'd rather get mine sooner with antenna issues and then have them fixed than wait longer. D: