Verizon iPhone 7 Users Afflicted With LTE Connectivity Problems

[maxsix]

The two phones I carry daily are my Nexus 6P personal and iPhone 6S Plus work phone both on Verizon.

Google has done a brilliant job, the 6P is flawless, Apple not so good. Ongoing connectivity issues have been the norm.

It's annoying but not a deal breaker because I have the Nexus to rely on. Also the update to iOS 10 did provide a slight improvement.

 

[jkozlow3]

Anytime I update phones I never restore from a backup. Certainly this may differ for non-mobile systems, yet my experiences since owning the first iPhone and moving from Phone OS to iOS have always been never restore from a backup. I've noticed those experiencing the most issues restored their iCloud or iTunes backups onto their new iPhone 7/7+.

My recommendation: backup your iPhone locally on iTunes then wipe it under "Reset" and do not restore from backup. Use it for a day to determine if it makes a difference. If so, spend the time to customize your iPhone and start fresh. With new hardware and an overhauled OS, too much can happen.

I agree with you about not restoring from backups, but this issue has nothing to do with that. My wife and I both set up our iPhone 7 phones as new devices and we both have this "no service" issue. I even tried doing a DFU restore and that didn't help either.

 

[unplugme71]

Verizon has nothing but issues lately. So sick of their price gouging, stealing data monitoring your device, and all this other crap. Enjoy the lawsuits buddy

 

[decimortis]

I noticed this on the Fido network in Canada last night. Happened to see I was on 3G so I flicked it into airplane mode and back out just to see if it was happening here too and it was. Came back into LTE.

 

[41qser]

Having the problem in Maine... seems aggravated when moving from tower to tower. Very annoying...

Came to my attention while using Waze too.

 

[CaryMacGuy]

I had that problem yesterday. Sometimes I only get 3G service in my apartment complex but right around, LTE is no issue (I live in Columbia, SC). However, yesterday I drove about 10 minutes almost all the way downtown and it was holding onto a 3G connection the whole time. That was pretty frustrating because I was using Maps and it couldn't draw the map fast enough also Music was cutting in and out. I am not sure this is an iPhone 7/7 Plus problem though. While what happened yesterday did happen with an iPhone 7 Plus, I experienced similar issues with my iPhone 6s Plus when I was running late betas and GM build of iOS 10. So I am thinking this might be an iOS 10 issue and not an iPhone 7 issue.

 

[rprhobo]

Does it seem like the problem is actually getting worse or am I just noticing it more.
I have only had the phone for 9 days, but it seems like it is getting worse.

 

[zackkmac]

My 7+ is a VZW model running on T-Mobile, so far I don't seem to have this issue. But, I was under the impression it would have better signal reception than the 6S Plus it replaced and it seems to get the exact same amount of LTE signal in my usual spots. Not a huge deal though.

 

[fiddysent]

I'm happy to stick with my perfect 6s Plus for another year or two

 

[mtcowdog]

I don't think this is only about switching towers. I have the LTE service drop in city limits in a valley where LTE service for me has been very consistent with other iPhones. I have e even had this LTE drop with my new iPhone 7 on a college campus, simply walking distances of .5 mile. For a small community in a flat valley, we don't have that many towers in the first place. Something else has to be going on. I expect this is related to new wireless radios in the 7.

 

[paulie6978]

Happened twice to me again while driving into work.

SMH

 

[racooper3]

... Hopefully Verizon just turns their 3G network off and replaces all the towers with LTE.

That is the plan. They don't want expense of maintaining 3G network any longer.

 

[SpyPhone]

Quote from the article "verizon swapped out the sim for me" say what? I got my iPhone 7 in the mail from Apple and activated it without installing any SIM. No connectivity problems here so far. Since when did Verizon start requiring SIM cards on their CDMA network?

 

[32828870]

I agree with you about not restoring from backups, but this issue has nothing to do with that. My wife and I both set up our iPhone 7 phones as new devices and we both have this "no service" issue. I even tried doing a DFU restore and that didn't help either.

That is a mess. I've been using my unlocked Verizon 128GB 7 back in Berlin on T-Mobile, O2 when in London, and 'course Verizon when I'm Stateside without issues. Guess I lucked out. Sorry you've been going through such difficulties. My worry is that it could very well be hardware related. Is it primarily effecting models that switched to the Intel chips and not Broadcom?
[doublepost=1475250918][/doublepost]

Quote from the article "verizon swapped out the sim for me" say what? I got my iPhone 7 in the mail from Apple and activated it without installing any SIM. No connectivity problems here so far. Since when did Verizon start requiring require a SIM?

For a long time, dating back to the 4S when Apple produced one model for all carriers. I know Verizon isn't a GSM network, but the micro-SIM is definitely needed. Check your iPhone, it most definitely shipped with a micro-SIM that was activated when you received it. I use Verizon Stateside and swap out my SIM cards when I back in Berlin or London. If I don't use my Verizon micro-SIM Stateside, no cellular service.

 

[ivurbs]

A growing number of Verizon subscribers are complaining about a serious issue that causes them to regularly lose LTE connectivity on their iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices, suggesting a major bug that needs to be resolved by either Apple or Verizon.

There are dozens of complaints from Verizon customers who have purchased either an iPhone 7 or an iPhone 7 Plus on the MacRumors forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Communities.

Phones from other carriers may also be experiencing the same problem, as there are also complaints from some AT&T subscribers. The problem appears to be limited to Apple's newest devices, with those who have earlier iPhones not reporting connectivity issues. As described by Reddit user Kangalex:Affected customers are seeing their LTE connectivity cut out at regular intervals, leaving them stuck with 3G/1X speeds or no signal at all. This can cause calls to disconnect when VoLTE is in use in addition to interrupting data usage. Turning off VoLTE can avoid dropped calls, but it does not address the underlying problem.

There appears to be no clear fix for the issue, and customers have been complaining of being routed between Apple and Verizon with neither company offering a solution. Restarts, sim swapping, turning off HD voice, and putting the iPhone in Airplane Mode appear to resolve the issue temporarily, but it returns. Apple and Verizon have swapped out devices for some affected customers, but their new devices have the same problem.

Customers who are experiencing the issue say that the problem is exacerbated by switching between towers, as one might do when traveling in a moving car, and that it is not fixed in iOS 10.0.2 or in the iOS 10.1 beta.

One customer was told it was an Apple software issue, and according to several others, Verizon is aware of the problem and is working with Apple on a fix.

Update: While Verizon users have generated the highest number of complaints about this issue, customers on other carriers around the world have also experienced it.

Article Link: Verizon iPhone 7 Users Afflicted With LTE Connectivity Problems

[doublepost=1475253382][/doublepost]This happens for me on AT&T iPhone 7 Plus as well.

 

[AnthonyD42]

I’m one of those AT&T users, in Los Angeles, with this problem. 1 bar of LTE in my office where I used to have more with my 6S, phone calls cutting out to the point that I have to leave my office to take a call and I’ve seen “4G” on my phone more times in the last 10 days than in the whole last year. Thanks Intel.

 

[DamnDJ]

Been having this issue myself on Verizon since upgrading to the 7+. I see my phone stuck in 3g or 1x in a lot of areas that my 6s+ gave strong LTE signals. Hopefully they will find the cause soon. Did a "clean install" of the new phone, so it's not a bad backup issue like I've seen suggested further up this thread.

 

[rjohnstone]

Quote from the article "verizon swapped out the sim for me" say what? I got my iPhone 7 in the mail from Apple and activated it without installing any SIM. No connectivity problems here so far. Since when did Verizon start requiring SIM cards on their CDMA network?

The SIM is required for the LTE network connection. No SIM = no LTE.

 

[kenhagemann]

VZ rep called and told me they have a ticket open to Apple and she indicated that Apple basically said its their issue and to advise customers to restore from backup. Had an issue where I needed to call emergency services and hit with no service. They offered me $10

 

[mi7chy]

Quote from the article "verizon swapped out the sim for me" say what? I got my iPhone 7 in the mail from Apple and activated it without installing any SIM. No connectivity problems here so far. Since when did Verizon start requiring SIM cards on their CDMA network?

Since 2011 for LTE capable phones.

 

[gop79]

A growing number of Verizon subscribers are complaining about a serious issue that causes them to regularly lose LTE connectivity on their iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices, suggesting a major bug that needs to be resolved by either Apple or Verizon.

There are dozens of complaints from Verizon customers who have purchased either an iPhone 7 or an iPhone 7 Plus on the MacRumors forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Communities.

Phones from other carriers may also be experiencing the same problem, as there are also complaints from some AT&T subscribers. The problem appears to be limited to Apple's newest devices, with those who have earlier iPhones not reporting connectivity issues. As described by Reddit user Kangalex:Affected customers are seeing their LTE connectivity cut out at regular intervals, leaving them stuck with 3G/1X speeds or no signal at all. This can cause calls to disconnect when VoLTE is in use in addition to interrupting data usage. Turning off VoLTE can avoid dropped calls, but it does not address the underlying problem.

There appears to be no clear fix for the issue, and customers have been complaining of being routed between Apple and Verizon with neither company offering a solution. Restarts, sim swapping, turning off HD voice, and putting the iPhone in Airplane Mode appear to resolve the issue temporarily, but it returns. Apple and Verizon have swapped out devices for some affected customers, but their new devices have the same problem.

Customers who are experiencing the issue say that the problem is exacerbated by switching between towers, as one might do when traveling in a moving car, and that it is not fixed in iOS 10.0.2 or in the iOS 10.1 beta.

One customer was told it was an Apple software issue, and according to several others, Verizon is aware of the problem and is working with Apple on a fix.

Update: While Verizon users have generated the highest number of complaints about this issue, customers on other carriers around the world have also experienced it.

Article Link: Verizon iPhone 7 Users Afflicted With LTE Connectivity Problems

I've been having this problem as well, but I also own 3 iPads that are Verizon devices, experiencing the same issue. LTE drops from my Mini, and both Pro models. It will say "No Service" for extended periods of time until I turn Airplane Mode on, then back off. It makes me think it has something to do with iOS 10, and not the devices.

 

[cast128]

Add me to the list of users experiencing the same issue with my iPhone 7 on AT&T. With my previous iPhone 6 I can't remember the last time I saw a 4G signal pop up on my phone.
It happens everyday as I drive away from my house. It's by no means the 'end of the world' but I stream all my music using Apple Music of from my iTunes Match library in the cloud. The 4G signal, at least where I live, can't even handle streaming a music track so I can listen to my music during my commute.
I googled the issue the first weekend of release and only saw a few people mention a similar problem and most seem to be on Verizon, but at least now I know others on AT&T are experiencing the same issue which should fast track a fix (either via software update or hardware swap).

 

[djinn]

Add me to the list of users experiencing the same issue with my iPhone 7 on AT&T. With my previous iPhone 6 I can't remember the last time I saw a 4G signal pop up on my phone.
It happens everyday as I drive away from my house. It's by no means the 'end of the world' but I stream all my music using Apple Music of from my iTunes Match library in the cloud. The 4G signal, at least where I live, can't even handle streaming a music track so I can listen to my music during my commute.
I googled the issue the first weekend of release and only saw a few people mention a similar problem and most seem to be on Verizon, but at least now I know others on AT&T are experiencing the same issue which should fast track a fix (either via software update or hardware swap).

Hearing more about ATT might prevent me from going to that carrier. I am currently with Verizon.

 

[davidf18]

This. We use iPhones and Verizon. The iPhone's primary purpose is a phone and thus connectivity, antenna, signal strength, and sound/voice quality for both speaking and listening are critically important. We also appreciate FaceTime Audio for its superior voice audio.

I hope Apple really focuses on this with the upcoming iPhone 8. Don't sacrifice great antennas, signal strength, or audio quality because of "looks." If it doesn't work properly as a great phone, we won't buy it.

And this is why the signal and LTE problem is troubling and needs to get fixed ASAP; it's a mission-critical failure.

Curiously there are no reviews that test voice quality improvements and signal strength, connectivity...for the iPhone 7(+) over the iPhone6s(+). I too use FaceTime Audio.

The iPhone 6s(+) added a fourth microphone to assist with noise cancellation and FaceTime Video over cell networks uses H.265 which is twice the compression of H.264 which is used over WiFi and previous models.

People have been telling me they can hear me even when there is a lot of noise behind me with my iPhone 7+.

But are there objective reviews?

BTW, I too am having Verizon connectivity issues in NYC. The phone goes to 3G when moving or it goes to 1 dot and in each case, switching to airplane mode and back switches to LTE and higher number of dots.
[doublepost=1475263909][/doublepost]

Hearing more about ATT might prevent me from going to that carrier. I am currently with Verizon.

At least in NYC where I live, Verizon has superior service. They have more spectrum by far than AT&T. When on the 29th floor in Midtown I got signal and 10 Mbits/sec download / 2.5 Mbits/sec upload. The person with iPhone and AT&T had no signal.

 

[Alessiot]

I don't think this is only about switching towers. I have the LTE service drop in city limits in a valley where LTE service for me has been very consistent with other iPhones. I have e even had this LTE drop with my new iPhone 7 on a college campus, simply walking distances of .5 mile. For a small community in a flat valley, we don't have that many towers in the first place. Something else has to be going on. I expect this is related to new wireless radios in the 7.

A tower can have more than one band on it