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My iPhone 4 signal issues are gone...
- Thread starter jav6454
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Sometimes, it’s best not to jump at taking an iPhone back, since you risk getting one with a different problem. Anyway, I’d rather try to fix problems on my own before giving up and taking that risk. For example, I had a 3G that just a headphone jack problem and would never go into speaker mode when playing music. Everything else was PERFECT…GPS, wifi, battery, etc. I took it back before the warranty expired, received a phone where the wifi didn’t work. Immediately took that back, everything seemed to work for awhile, but then the wifi and GPS stopped working. By then, 3.1.3 had come out, and I didn’t want to replace it with a phone I couldn’t unlock, so I was stuck with it.
You speak very good English for a Honduran. I couldn’t even detect an accent.
Some people seem to be giving you a hard time for not holding it in your left hand. IDK if it matter, since you seem to have bridged the gap.
Yeah, the video was on Photo Booth, so don't expect major film production
Thanks
I'm sorry to report that this technique has not corrected the issue on my iP4. I tried the following methods:
1. Shut down, eject mSIM, wait 20 minutes, re-insert mSIM, power up
2. Shut down, eject mSIM, apply Scotch tape as shown in others' photos, wait 20 minutes, re-insert mSIM, power up
3. Shut down, eject mSIM, remove Scotch tape, apply vinyl electrical tape as previously shown, wait 20 minutes, re-insert mSIM, power up
In each instance, I had 4 bars on startup. After performing all three methods of this solution, while I never get to "Searching..." or "No Service" anymore (it stays at 1 bar - I guess this is an "improvement" ), there is no cellular connectivity. Cannot place/receive calls, browse web pages, etc.
This was all done while sitting at my desk. The good news is that I have strong coverage at my house, so even without twiddling with the mSIM or putting the phone in a case I cannot reproduce it there.
Oh well - maybe the next discovery will work for me.
I tried the following methods:1. Shut down, eject mSIM, wait 20 minutes, re-insert mSIM, power up
2. Shut down, eject mSIM, apply Scotch tape as shown in others' photos, wait 20 minutes, re-insert mSIM, power up
3. Shut down, eject mSIM, remove Scotch tape, apply vinyl electrical tape as previously shown, wait 20 minutes, re-insert mSIM, power up
In each instance, I had 4 bars on startup. After performing all three methods of this solution, while I never get to "Searching..." or "No Service" anymore (it stays at 1 bar - I guess this is an "improvement"
), there is no cellular connectivity. Cannot place/receive calls, browse web pages, etc.This was all done while sitting at my desk. The good news is that I have strong coverage at my house, so even without twiddling with the mSIM or putting the phone in a case I cannot reproduce it there.
Oh well - maybe the next discovery will work for me.
I have been having reception problems that I believe are related to touching this trouble spot on the iPhone. Unfortunately I have learned that when the phone is in my left hand, my palm is usually touching the spot and when in my right hand, my fingers are touching the spot. And once I realize it, I find myself holding my phone in an awkward way to keep from touching the spot.
I have seen the bars totally drop from touching the spot and it's very consistent and easily reproduced. I also had trouble with dropped calls, having to call back my family three or four times in one conversation. (But then I experienced a lot of dropped calls with my 3GS too...)
So I tried this "fix" of removing the SIM card and putting it back in (after I had turned off my phone). So far, it appears that the bars don't drop as far. I only lose the first two, which means my browsing is not affected. So there might be some truth to this fix but time will tell.
One other thing I noticed... I had restarted my phone. It was off for a few minutes while I struggled to get my SIM card to pop out - mine was in there really tight I guess. And when I turned my phone back on, my browser was not really responding at all. And that's when I noticed that all the apps that I had used earlier were still "on". Why didn't restarting the iPhone shut them off? I then did the trick where you shut off each app (like you're deleting icons) and that made the browser behave normally and I was able to complete my test of this "fix".
So what's up with the memory management in this phone? Shouldn't turning off the phone close all running apps? Surely it was off long enough to be considered off.
I have seen the bars totally drop from touching the spot and it's very consistent and easily reproduced. I also had trouble with dropped calls, having to call back my family three or four times in one conversation. (But then I experienced a lot of dropped calls with my 3GS too...)
So I tried this "fix" of removing the SIM card and putting it back in (after I had turned off my phone). So far, it appears that the bars don't drop as far. I only lose the first two, which means my browsing is not affected. So there might be some truth to this fix but time will tell.
One other thing I noticed... I had restarted my phone. It was off for a few minutes while I struggled to get my SIM card to pop out - mine was in there really tight I guess. And when I turned my phone back on, my browser was not really responding at all. And that's when I noticed that all the apps that I had used earlier were still "on". Why didn't restarting the iPhone shut them off? I then did the trick where you shut off each app (like you're deleting icons) and that made the browser behave normally and I was able to complete my test of this "fix".
So what's up with the memory management in this phone? Shouldn't turning off the phone close all running apps? Surely it was off long enough to be considered off.
I'm getting pretty upset over the whole thing. I tried the SIM suggestions to no avail. I have the death grip problem and the whole Apple isn't doing a thing about it approach has me more than a little upset. An awful lot of time, effort, and money to buy a phone that's not working well for me at all. And believe it or not I'm not usually one to complain too much. When I hold the phone "normally" (but not Steve's way) I go from four bars to "no service."
I think you get something like 30 days every time you get a new phone to return it and I may just take this one back and get something else.
I think you get something like 30 days every time you get a new phone to return it and I may just take this one back and get something else.
I wasn't talking about taking it back for an exchange.. i'm saying tell Apple you are going to find some other phone that actually works as a phone. Who has time in their lives to perform all these "voodoo" fixes and placebos. This is out of control.
SIM didn't work for me either. I'm leaning towards a return as well and go back to my 3GS. I hate to do it but I can't have a phone that doesn't work.
Here's another Odd thing that may provide a clue -
First I turn off wifi so I can see the 3G icon.
Then, i hold the phone in death grip. Signal stays at 5 bars. Prior to the Sim Fix it would drop to two.
Holding it the same, turn off 3G and signal drops to two bars, does not come back up until grip is released.
If I release the grip before turning off 3G, the signal doesn't drop.
This also works the same in reverse, when starting out with 3G off.
?
First I turn off wifi so I can see the 3G icon.
Then, i hold the phone in death grip. Signal stays at 5 bars. Prior to the Sim Fix it would drop to two.
Holding it the same, turn off 3G and signal drops to two bars, does not come back up until grip is released.
If I release the grip before turning off 3G, the signal doesn't drop.
This also works the same in reverse, when starting out with 3G off.
?
Perhaps it turns off that part of the metal band?
Doubtful...but all we can do is guess and hypothesize until Apple acknowledges the elephant in the room...
Deisgn of the sim tray
I don't have an iPhone but I just read a great interview with Jonny Ive, the iPhone 4 designer. Very interesting interview and worth the read.
It is more interesting in light of the discussion here regarding the possible solution to the iPhone 4 reception problems and the sim tray
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_c...gn_of_the_iphone_4_material_matters_16817.asp
"The goals have been well-met, and on the subject of phenomenal tolerances, when you see the phone be sure to check out the insanely thin reveal around the hatch for the Micro SIM card on the side; I've never seen that kind of tolerance on something I could actually afford to buy. Upon seeing it my first thought was I will never pop that open, because I'm convinced it will never close again. "I assure you, it will," Ive laughs. "The amount of care that went into that SIM tray is extraordinary. To achieve this kind of build quality is extraordinarily hard work and requires care across so many teams. It demands incredibly close collaboration with experts in certain areas, material sciences and so on."
I don't have an iPhone but I just read a great interview with Jonny Ive, the iPhone 4 designer. Very interesting interview and worth the read.
It is more interesting in light of the discussion here regarding the possible solution to the iPhone 4 reception problems and the sim tray
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_c...gn_of_the_iphone_4_material_matters_16817.asp
"The goals have been well-met, and on the subject of phenomenal tolerances, when you see the phone be sure to check out the insanely thin reveal around the hatch for the Micro SIM card on the side; I've never seen that kind of tolerance on something I could actually afford to buy. Upon seeing it my first thought was I will never pop that open, because I'm convinced it will never close again. "I assure you, it will," Ive laughs. "The amount of care that went into that SIM tray is extraordinary. To achieve this kind of build quality is extraordinarily hard work and requires care across so many teams. It demands incredibly close collaboration with experts in certain areas, material sciences and so on."
I emailed him yesterday and cited this thread. No response as of yet.
Im used to having to mess around with my phone to fix software glitches. Ill probably jailbreak this one some time soon. Personally, I wouldnt alter my sim card as some have done, but if simply taking it out and putting it back in fixes the issue for some, then why not do it. FYI, I dont have the issue with my phone (actually I have no issues).
Apple advice to reposition SIM card
Just noticed that Apple includes a recommendation to reposition the SIM card if there are connection issues:
http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/assistant/calls/
Cheers
Just noticed that Apple includes a recommendation to reposition the SIM card if there are connection issues:
http://www.apple.com/support/iphone/assistant/calls/
Cheers
Tried it with mine, o2 UK - metal sim card is actually huge compared to the Three one in my iPad.
Totally isolated it from the tray, but same performance as before. This is def not sim card related, its an antenna problem - it doesn't even make sense its sim card related.
I have the problem, but its not terrible.
And more to the point, what sort of retard holds their phone like a chimpanzee anyway.
Why is anyone holding the phone right at the bottom, you speak into the bottom - get your hand out of the way of your ********* mouth!
Jobbs is right, you are holding it wrong if it happens when you're on a call.
However holding while texting is another thing - never had it drop signal yet, but when I sit in the house it goes from a constant 3 bar 3g signal to 1 bar GPRS if I do the "death grip" which kinda happens normally when holding and playing around with it - so im more worried i'll miss calls whilst holding the phone on my hand that lose them when on it and im surprised its not this point that has been raised more.
Totally isolated it from the tray, but same performance as before. This is def not sim card related, its an antenna problem - it doesn't even make sense its sim card related.
I have the problem, but its not terrible.
And more to the point, what sort of retard holds their phone like a chimpanzee anyway.
Why is anyone holding the phone right at the bottom, you speak into the bottom - get your hand out of the way of your ********* mouth!
Jobbs is right, you are holding it wrong if it happens when you're on a call.
However holding while texting is another thing - never had it drop signal yet, but when I sit in the house it goes from a constant 3 bar 3g signal to 1 bar GPRS if I do the "death grip" which kinda happens normally when holding and playing around with it - so im more worried i'll miss calls whilst holding the phone on my hand that lose them when on it and im surprised its not this point that has been raised more.
Was looking for any dates on the material, update times, etc, but couldn't find any, but because it does specifically make mention of the iPhone 4 and the different location of its SIM card, I'd say yes that it's "new" since I've never seen that page at Apple before... not that I've been hunting the site for such pages, however.
I have the AT&T branded SIM card with the larger contact footprint. I have the signal bar problem even when I put a finger on it. My bumper case and my iFrogz case don't stop the problem. Did a bit of sanding and reseating the SIM card. Didn't work. I have an irregular signal at home and have taken that into account, although covering the antenna gap produces immediate results. Went to the AT&T store hoping to swap SIM cards. Could not reproduce the problem no matter how I held the phone. The only difference was that I had the WiFi enabled, but not connected. Didn't think that could be the difference. Came home with WiFi off, got five bars in the spot where I know I get the best signal. Applied the finger. Back to square one. So ... by process of elimination ... was the signal strength just overpowering at the AT&T store? One poster said that he could recreate the problem even under a strong cell tower. Is OZ behind the curtain? I notice, finally, that of the three or four respondents to the post with the pictures of the two different SIM cards that no one had problems with card with the smaller contact area.
I have no answers but I thought I'd provide some info.
Good luck out there.
BTW: I don't have dropped calls. And the signal in my home, with the iPhone 4, is stronger than with my 3G, which couldn't hold a call here to save its life. Just saying ...
That might be new since the iPhone never had a side SIM or micro SIM documentation.
Multiple causes of the problem
The iPhone 4's reception problems are likely to turn out to be due to a variety of issues, many of which aren't specifically related to each other except in the fact that they all result in signal reduction. So I wouldn't take the position that it's due to only one thing, especially since every single variation and its opposite has been reported (happens for some people only when not near a strong tower signal; happens to some people even when near a strong tower signal; fixed by reinserting SIM, not fixed by reinserting SIM; etc.). For some iPhone 4 users, two or more of these issues probably exist, so fixing anything short of all of these issues on a particular phone, won't solve the reception problem (or not completely) for them. I fixed Macs from 1985 to 2008, and often when I found myself trying to shoehorn a problem into having only one cause, or even two simultaneous causes, I turned out to be wrong.
The iPhone 4's reception problems are likely to turn out to be due to a variety of issues, many of which aren't specifically related to each other except in the fact that they all result in signal reduction. So I wouldn't take the position that it's due to only one thing, especially since every single variation and its opposite has been reported (happens for some people only when not near a strong tower signal; happens to some people even when near a strong tower signal; fixed by reinserting SIM, not fixed by reinserting SIM; etc.). For some iPhone 4 users, two or more of these issues probably exist, so fixing anything short of all of these issues on a particular phone, won't solve the reception problem (or not completely) for them. I fixed Macs from 1985 to 2008, and often when I found myself trying to shoehorn a problem into having only one cause, or even two simultaneous causes, I turned out to be wrong.
Absolutely not. The iPhone 4 has noticably better reception than my 3GS ever did. I was never able to hold a conversation longer than 5 minutes with the 3G or 3GS from home. Never once. No lie. Conversations I've had on the iPhone 4 end when I end them, not when they're dropped. There's no way I'm giving that up for something that can be cured with a case I'd have bought anyway.
Sadly, Apple is holding 'hands over ears and singing blah, blah, blah." The CEO of the company has explained that it is a non-issue.
This does not bode well for a company I LOVE. The PR is beginning to smell bad. I mean, really, think about it-- a phone that is not really a phone if you don't hold it like a ballerina?
Unacceptable. And having worked in media for 3 decades I can guarantee you this is not going to go away for Apple BECAUSE IT'S THE iPHONE--- AND IT'S NOT WORKING.
That's a huge issue. Apple to Houston: We have a problem!
Ultimately I think CONSUMERS and HARD WORKING REPORTERS will solve this issue. Apple must step up and make this right.