Apple iPhone 3GS Or O2: Signal Issues?
As the owner of an Apple iPhone 3GS, I have always been impressed by the features of this device. However, recently I have been encountering problems with my signal.
The majority of the times I have no problems with my iOS device. However, on occasion when I go to use my iPhone to send a text, make a call or search the internet I get ‘no service’ appear in the top left hand corner and the device is then rendered useless for the task. I then find myself waving the device above my head trying to get a signal or switching it off and then back on, with limited success.
Now, when I first received the iPhone 3GS smartphone I had no problems whatsoever with the signal and prior to owning the 3GS, I owned an iPhone 3G again with no signal issues. However, this problems seems to be more frequent now and can be quite frustrating, especially when I need to use the device urgently.
I began thinking that the issue could be with my network operator O2 UK, but I have been with them for some time now, and have purchased many different devices through them, such as Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Nokia models and have never experienced the network issues before. I have checked with other people who are on O2 and some say they have also experienced signal issues and not all of them are using iPhones.
It came to mind that it could be the area where I live, having a poor signal strength, but as I said earlier, I have owned a number of other devices whilst living here in Kent and have never encountered this problem. So, I am just putting the feelers out now and just want to know, if you own an iPhone device are you experiencing the ‘no signal’ issue? If so, what network operator are you currently with? Please leave your comments below.
Comments
112 thoughts on “Apple iPhone 3GS Or O2: Signal Issues?”
Yes, we are experiencing the very same thing. It just started happening this afternoon. It will work for a couple of minutes after a reboot but then stops working. We are on AT&T in central Indiana, USA.
Yes! I have an iPhone4 and signal is always an issue! I even had to go out and purchase an AT&T 3G Microcell, which improves my signal at Home, but I am not alway at home now am I!
I have the same problem. Initial call fails most of the time. The redial is ok.
The problem is worst when connected to a Wifi network.
Currently iOS4.1. Phone network is O2 in the UK.
My iphone 4 started having signal issues since around Feb. Very slow data, and now I get messages that there is no data service occasionally, even when I had 4 bars
Yes, I have the exact same problem. I thought perhaps I was the only one. Try turning off your 3G via settings > General > Netrowk > Enable 3G: off. This actually works really well and saves your battery. Its a shame though because I used to get full signal on O2 and I too have an iPhone 3GS. I live within the Berkshire area, i have been having this problem for about 4 weeks now and I am confused as to if the fault lies within the actual iPhone itself or O2?
Please let me know if this helps.
Kind Regards.
Had an I phone 4 for four weeks and have had terrible trouble with signal issues where my previous nokia was fine. O2 have given me new sim and have reset settings but not better so my conclusion is the device itself,it's a shame but might change to another piece of kit.
Glad to have found this thread. I am in the same boat regarding signal and also when collecting data – email mainly. I'm in Bedfordshire in the UK and work in Hertfordshire. I'm on the Orange/T-Mobile network. Any fixes greatly appreciated!
I have a iphone 3gs and the same no service message on screen , have been to the apple store who have said they will replace it with it a new one , as still under warranty , just thinking what happens in September when the warranty runs out , thinking of selling once I get it replaced , not happy at all.
my boyfriend has just got his iphone & he has the same signal issues we havent had a conversation properly since he changed from a nokia & hes also with o2
yes i have got issues with signal drop on iphone 4 (and 3gs) on o2, not receiving txts, missing calls when showing full signal…. have had probs since i moved to iphone. Monmouth, area…
Same here…
The 3Gs Iphone keeps loosing out on signals, and on thel eft hand corner at the top, it shows " searching ".
This is really frustrating and least expected from a company of repute, like Apple.
Upon checking the same SIM card on a HTC wild fire, I get every thing OK & very strong signals.
NO connectivity issues at all…….. Apple should take up this issue, and provide solutions…..
i experienced the same problem. wat should i do now to bring back the signal?? help
Hi I work in Bromley Kent and until recently the recption has been ok on a IPhone 3GS – now it is very poor indeed – saying that my Nokia N95 8Gb is struggling at the momnet
When O/S 4.3.1 came out think there were a signal update maybe something has gone wrong?
I I am getting the same thing – rang o2 and they are not prepared to do anything even though I only have four months of a two year contract left.
However I did come across this problem with the sim cards where there is a sequence of 0063 or 0064, which mine is!! Do any of you have the same sim card sequence.
O2 have a forum http://forum.o2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=596…
they say they will replace the card.
Major problems with network dropping. Have Orange IPhone 3GS purchased in UK on UK tarrif. Initially worked OK but for last 2-3 months the netwrok signal is dropping continually. I have tried sourcing alternive networks and this does not help. I have also reset setting back to factory but that doesn't help. Just received a message from Orange that was sent on 2nd May (its 21st today) saying that they cant help basically although they have suggested turning off 3GS which I have done and still no better. To make things worse I am working in France and Orange have said they cannot guaratee network connect in other countries!! My collegaue who sits next to me has an Orange France supplied phone and has conitual coverage. F Bouygues and F SFR netwroks drop off too. This is a company sponsored phone and I neet data access. I am left vitually 24hrs without cover. Very very poor service from Orange and Apple.
I have experienced a similar problem with my iPhone3GS both on normal phone coverage and 3G data. I find O2's network to be a total joke, there are parts of the major motorways where you lose your 3G signal and there are areas of major towns where you can barely make a call. More representative of a third world country, than a supposedly leading mobile internet enabled country. When I am out in south africa or poland on business, the networks are way better and deliver better data speeds to.
I have been thinking of moving to Vodafone, but don't want to give up my unlimited data plan on O2.
I have had the same issues with my iphone 3gs going into search mode when using 3g. It seemed to have started about a month ago. I tried everything- rebooting, cleaning sim, resetting network settings and upgrade the phone's firmware, with no luck. I ended up following the advice from Audrey (above) who mentioned replacing sim cards with numbers containing 0063 and 0064. Mine was 0063 and I just replaced it with a new sim from 02. All is well with my phone and I can use 3g again!
mine is 0065 and i get 2 bars go to call out and then see no service again have had no luck so far with thid 3gs
I too have been experiencing dropped signals with my two week old 3gs. I am in Yorkshire with O2 my latest call some 2hours ago was dropped three times in a 20 minute conversation I was previously with 02 having a pay as you go Motorola had no problems with it. I am seriously considering returning the Iphone, hope-fully within the 28 day period
I live in West Wickham and have been having the same problem for about 6 weeks now just on the phone to O2 to complain
My wife has a iphone 3gs, so do I. We’re both on orange. My son has a phone also on orange. I dont have any signal at home, they do.
Orange say its the device. Nothing wrong when I’m out the house. This is also the 2nd iphone I’ve had as I hasd this problem with the first.
Orange are terrible, and apple…well, I just cant understand why they even deal with orange.
I’ve restored the phone as a ‘new’ device. Didnt work. I’ve reset, didnt work. Madness. I work within 3/4s of a mile of my house.
I spent over 4 hours on my wifes phone talking to orange and apple on sunday. Useless is putting it mildly.
Anyone know who I should blame?
Oh here’s something extra, I swapped the sim over to my wifes ihpone, I still didnt have a signal.
My wife has a iphone 3gs, so do I. We’re both on orange. My son has a phone also on orange. I dont have any signal at home, they do.
Orange say its the device. Nothing wrong when I’m out the house. This is also the 2nd iphone I’ve had as I hasd this problem with the first.
Orange are terrible, and apple…well, I just cant understand why they even deal with orange.
I’ve restored the phone as a ‘new’ device. Didnt work. I’ve reset, didnt work. Madness. I work within 3/4s of a mile of my house.
I spent over 4 hours on my wifes phone talking to orange and apple on sunday. Useless is putting it mildly.
Anyone know who I should blame?
Oh here’s something extra, I swapped the sim over to my wifes ihpone, I still didnt have a signal.
My wife has a iphone 3gs, so do I. We’re both on orange. My son has a phone also on orange. I dont have any signal at home, they do.
Orange say its the device. Nothing wrong when I’m out the house. This is also the 2nd iphone I’ve had as I hasd this problem with the first.
Orange are terrible, and apple…well, I just cant understand why they even deal with orange.
I’ve restored the phone as a ‘new’ device. Didnt work. I’ve reset, didnt work. Madness. I work within 3/4s of a mile of my house.
I spent over 4 hours on my wifes phone talking to orange and apple on sunday. Useless is putting it mildly.
Anyone know who I should blame?
Oh here’s something extra, I swapped the sim over to my wifes ihpone, I still didnt have a signal.
My wife has a iphone 3gs, so do I. We’re both on orange. My son has a phone also on orange. I dont have any signal at home, they do.
Orange say its the device. Nothing wrong when I’m out the house. This is also the 2nd iphone I’ve had as I hasd this problem with the first.
Orange are terrible, and apple…well, I just cant understand why they even deal with orange.
I’ve restored the phone as a ‘new’ device. Didnt work. I’ve reset, didnt work. Madness. I work within 3/4s of a mile of my house.
I spent over 4 hours on my wifes phone talking to orange and apple on sunday. Useless is putting it mildly.
Anyone know who I should blame?
Oh here’s something extra, I swapped the sim over to my wifes ihpone, I still didnt have a signal.
Hello. My names John. Yes I’m having signal issues with no service and others on O2 do not have these issues. I have always used the iPhone 3GS and it is jail broken. But these issues were present before. I’d like to know if it’s a know issue with O2 and the iPhone.
Hello, to add I have improved my signal and seems I’m not having it drop when onset my iPhone to manual network location instead of automatic. I hope this helps. 🙂
Facing the signal drop problem as well. What am i suspecting the reason is the rough use may be. My 2 yrs old boy has thrown it many time even the back has a crack now. I believe loosen contacts in chips or so!!! Please share if anyone have tried hardware fix?
I live in NZ and I have issues with my signal too…
I get this problem on O2 as well. I had the problem with an iPhone 3G and believed it was the phone. I’ve moved on to a 3GS and still have the problem. O2 suggested a new SIM and that appears to have reduced the issue but not removed it. No problems experienced when using the same SIM for 2 days in a cheap Alacatel phone
I phone 3GS.Â
    It is jan 1st 2012. I awoke to a full signal on my phone and any calls I have made or recieved have either, cut me off and lost the call, or it is so staticy I cannot hear or say anything.
    Yesterday all was fine with static and dropping calls. except i had half a signal at the current location.
    I have reset my phone 2 times now. i have turned my phone off for several minutes and turned it back on. nothing has worked so far.
    Tomorrow i will head to town and have them either fix the dang thing or give me a new one. I don’t really care.
    I run a business with the phone so this is totally unacceptable. I use AT&T as the service provider.
Even I am facing the same issue.(No Service). Frustrating me a lot. Dont know what to do. I am in India using Airtel as a provider. I am living in the middle of the city, no network issue for others who are all using Airtel.
I have the iPhone 4s I also have the no connection thing apps appearing in the top left hand corner, I’m with o2…personally I think it’s the iPhone that’s the fault. I’ve had other phones with different networks… Majority with o2 and they have been fine. I’m going into the apple shop tomorrow in Glasgow to speak to them about it anyway so once I’m back I will comment and let you know what they said.
Hope this helps:)
Courtney x
I’m having the same issue and if I see No Service again I’ll scream
I am having the same problem I have an iPhone 3GS and I am on O2. One morning
I had a signal then next minute it had gone and hasnt come back.
I’ve never had a problem with my 3G Iphone through orange until the weekend when I couldn’t get a signal.  ( WIFI ok). I reset the phone as suggested by orange, didn;t work. Then today I went into town and was surprised when phone started to ring!  Also manged to get a signal in  my childs school playground. Not much use really!
Same problem and with o2 as well, but i’ve noticed that if you switch off 3g 3gdata and Wifi the signal gets back… not the best solution but at least
This is a common problem with the 3GS. Mine has been doing it for ages. When I asked my provider they told me to disable the 3G function as this affects the signal strength. Another fantastic feature of my 3GS is the habit it has of rebooting every time I make or recieve a call of longer than about 3 minutes. Great when you are relying on it for business. Rebooting usually takes 2-3 minutes and I often have to call back 3 – 4 times to complete my conversation.
I’m not really annoyed so much by Apple because I like the device and of course there can be a fault in the unit, i am just really p***** off by the attitude of my provider. They just keep fobbing me off with lame excuses. “Oh no sir we have never heard of this problem before” Every time they’ve sent it off for repair the only thing they did was update the software and tell me it was fine. I will be leaving my provider as soon as soon as the contract is up and going to a provider that actually seems to care about customer service. Oh yes as â test today I charged up my old Sony ericsson and put the sim card in and what do you know FULL bars and it doesn’t cut out when making calls.
Yes, i’ve just disabled my 3G and now the signal is back. I thought that Apple products were meant to be the future?!?!
Many thanks for the valuable input!
This is really a lazy support desk reply. It’s a bit like telling a mechanic that your car is losing power in 5th gear and the mechanictelling you the ‘solution’ is to drop down to third gear…
(from O2, that is)
Yes. Many a conversation has ended with looking down and seeing the apple logo staring back at me. Takes a number of minutes then to reboot. Has been getting progressively worse over time. May not renew iPhone next time. Shame as it’s a great device otherwise.
Did you sort the rebooting problem, I am having exactly the same problem?
@ Nallakumard. Incidentally regarding the network problem in India. I found that when I was roaming in Africa over the last year I could not use my iphone in most countries I was in, even though I could actually find 3 networks when I did a search. The only place where it worked was in Ghana. But not in Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote Ivoir, Senegal or Tanzania. I was talking to a guy in a shop yesterday and he said it`s to do with the way the older smart phones handle networks. Older networks don’t seem to work with some smarphones. His advice was to get a simple phone for roaming in Africa and keep the Smart phone for Europe. Next time I’m in Africa I will be using my old Sony Ericsson.
Same problem here, o2/3gs, I switched off 3g and now have full bars reception, totally rubbish
With Orange just moved house no signal on iphone 3 in house. Orange say I have to fully pay all my contract to move to another provider and wont offer any help at all.Â
i live in walderslade and i also have an ipone 3gs and im with 02 it has just been recently for me though and i dont know why i have used this phone all over the house last month and this month i am getting no service almost everywhere in my home i dont know what to do either!
Hi, I’m having the same problem in Leyand, Lancs area. Â Our household has 4 02 phones phone for a number of years. Â Last Weds I noticed my 2 month old iphone 4S doesn’t get a signal, always ‘searching’ when I’m at home. Â No one else in the house has this issue. The 02 shop suggested re-setting which I have done, the 02 telephone support said a ‘cell’ in the area was down and would be fixed soon (nothing on line to support this), that was last Monday. Â Tried standing outside (not that that’s ideal) & nothing. Texts do eventually come through, often 12-24 hours later and I can’t make calls. Â Will be taking my phone back to the shop. Â Really frustrated as had no problems with my old iphone 4.
I to have a 3GS and am now having trouble getting a signal and the same problem searching in the top left corner I am also with o2. Mick
I live north London, I have a IPhone 4s and I have been with O2 for years. Weeks ago I realised that I had really week signal in the house. For the last 3 days no signal at all at home not even at my work place: it say Searching. Yesterday I had some friends around I asked them to give me a call. When they called me their phone had the ringing sound, but my phone didn’t ring at all. I didn’t even had any signs of missed calls, don’t get any messages. This is really annoying.Â
I am having all of these same problems mentioned here and live in Eastern USA. Â Even tried assigning the carrier and not leaving it on automatic, but still having that intermittent “searching” happening in the upper left. Â Sometimes when the call does connect, I cannot hear the person on the other end or vice-versa, or there is painful static! Â Had moved my Sim card from an old Motorola that was working perfectly with no signal problems. Â Am tempted to start using my old phone again and give up on the iPhone!
Hi, I’m also having the same signal issues with the 3GS on O2, I even changed the antenna on my phone but still no luck. Am an apple fan, but lately this is causing me a lot of stress, as you said when you need to make a quick call or even send a text msg, becomes a real problem finding signal. I have looked and looked for an answers and tried many things but still, problem not solved. Good luck guys.Â
im on o2 and got an iphone 3gs, and today i found my iphone with no signal! i dont know what to do, i have tried turning it off and then on again and nothing…please help?
i had this problem earlier, erm i tried turning my phone off and still didnt work, but then i tried turning my 3g off, turning my phone off, waiting a few minutes, turning it back on and then it worked:)
Also woth O2 and ever since I updated to iOS 5.1 have had no signal or “No Service”.
im getting the same problem and if i cant fix it i will be smashing the phone up so someone help!!!!
I have a 3GS again on O2 and I’m having the same problem as everybody else… Poor signal strength, followed by : “No Service” and eventually the phone complains about not being activated :(… I’ve disabled 3G which seems to help but this isnt really a good solution.
Ive got a 3GS and since yesterday have had no service! been fine for the past 2 years until i recently updated the software to the newest ios5 and now cant send or recieve texts, tried contacting o2 but they just said the signal coverage in my area is fine so shouldnt be a problem! tried my sim card in another phone and it worked fine, so the problem is with the iphone somewhere but as i only have a month left on my 24 month contract im out of the year warrenty so o2 wont fix it or replace it, now i dont know what to do! help anyone? 🙁
I am in Northern Ireland and I am having major problem with my iPhone which I bought off a family member, it has not been reported stolen and yet the phone is constantly saying No Service. When in town the phone picks up 2 or 3 bars but in my house I get nothing. Now this would be understandable if my area had low coverage but every other phone in the house has 3 bars of signal and are all on the same network. I put my sim in my old phone (blackberry curve) and I am receiving full signal. My friend has an iPhone 4 and can pick up 3 bars everywhere in my house so this is unusual! It is clearly not o2s fault. My iPhone has passed its warranty so the chances of Apple exchanging the phone are pretty low 🙁
Same Problem………. with o2 iphone 3gs “no service”
Im having this problem once again with the 3gs, it happened on my last one. Cant send texts even on full bars and wont recieve them till i send a text. Now my signal has completely gone. I am with O2
I’m having the same problem with the singal dropping out and saying no sevice yet I am the the 3 network obviously it’s not the network it must be the phone it worked fine up until this software up date now it’s not working more than it is
hi i have the same experience o2 say its the sim needs replacing, worked fine until monday this week
ps existing sim gets 2 bars in my original iphone 1 (once i had powered it up)
problem occured after installing latest software updateÂ
i have the same problem and this is annoing. I am planing to visit apple or o2 shop. I got this phone 1 wek ago and now i can see its keep loosing signal. The weird thing that my wife has the same model of iphone with 16gb (i got 8) and signal is perfect where i have no signal or 1 line.
Mine is the same I have a 32gb iPhone 4 most of the time 1-2 bars signal my wife has 16gb iPhone 4 , 4-5 bars signal both o2 really annoying o2 suggest yet another software update yeah and like that will make a difference the last 20 update/reinstalls haven’t
Hi, I am also on O2 and have recently got an iphone 3GS. I cannot get any signal on it at all but have never had a problem with my nokia c3!! So basically i have a new iphone which is completely useless!!! Have you had any further ideas on how to get it to work???
In reply 2 Collinrowles I have the same deve n the same problem since I got my phone which I do really like iv had NO reception it jus says o2uk but NO BARS! Iv even tried takin my o2 chip from my bb torch which is fine in that fone and it still says the same thing, I’m so frustrated with it cuz the device is a million times better than my BBM, did u have amy joy fixing this problem that we’ve both got??
I’v had 3 x Apple Iphone 3g/3gs and an iphone 4s, all of which have had a problem, the only difference is these problems ONLY occurred on O2-UK where the signal would still be showing, and 3g was visible but was unable to make calls/send texts till i switched 3g off and then on again… Your best bet is to either switch the 3G off and use it on GSM full time, or my personal preference… Everyone should sell them to C.E.X/smash there overpriced iphones and buy a Nokia Lumia 800, they cost little over half the price of a 4s, brand new and do everything and more than the iphone can, With no problems what so ever, Nokia was once the greatest mobile phone company and to be honest, there partnership with Microsoft is a vast improvement from the Symbian O.S that they used to use… Seriously, Go to Carphone warehouse and actually try one of there demo models, you’ll be surprised.
am also facing the same problem with my iphone 3g network signal, and am using Mtn in Ghana
Â
 I am in India using Airtel as a provider and facing the problem of no service on iphone 3,, so help me to get out of this
Good day
For anybody who is having the problem of the bars fading away and then no service.I had the same problem. I did software updates to the point of firmware 5.1.jailbroke and  unlocked it again only to find same problem.Tried different sim card 2 bars max then no service.Now its a hardware problem.I find out that my daughter dropped the phone so i took it apart,,,,,.If you do this be careful the glass is very fragile so try to take it out straight from the bottom there are wires going to the screen on the top……….. on the board components are numbered. # 7 was not fully snapped into place just barely touching. snapped back in place,put screen back on and now have 5 bars plug the 3g on.
Hope this is your problem solve also
I’ve been with O2 for years, had a succession of handsets all pretty good but the iPhone 3 is pathetic, in my office, which is in Edinburgh the signal comes and goes, at my desk I can receive a message but when I go to respond there;s no signal so I have to go and stand by a window for a minute or two until I get a signal.Â
Hello I have a 3GS and I dropped it a few days back and and it got wet through the heavy rain we ate experiencing and since then I have had no improvement of my signal I have turned it off and on frequently took the sim out and replaced it but I have had this problem since thursday and there are no signs of improvement! What do I do some body please give me some advice on how to fix my phone without it I can’t stay in contact with anybody.. Thank you
Good day  having the problem of the bars fading away and then no service.I had the same problem on my 3gs. I did software updates to the point of firmware 5.1.jailbroke and  unlocked it again only to find same problem.Tried different sim card 2 bars max then no service.Now I know it is a hardware problem.I find out that my daughter dropped the phone so i took it apart,,,,,.If you do this be careful the glass is very fragile so try to take it out straight from the bottom there are wires going to the screen on the top……….. on the board components are numbered. # 7 was not fully snapped into place just barely touching. snapped back in place,put screen back on and now have 5 bars plus the 3g is on.Hope this is your problem solve also
I’m having same prob on O2 if u double tap the home button whilst waving your phone it sometimes works
I had the same problem with the signal,were in the past it was fine so I lifted the screen and relocated no 7 plug and it works fine now easy fix
How do you do this? could you give me instructions / a link to a video? x
Im on 02, never had a problem with the signal on my other phones, including iphone 3G. Now I have an iphone 4S, its constantly dropping signal and ‘searching’. Very annoying.
BSNL Â Same Problem.
Very Low signal witht he iphone 3g, the carrier is AT&T, which sucks….,
AT&T is my network, please help my phone freezes, drops call and signal problem. I have a iPhone apple 3G .
I have had my iphone 3gs since Feb 10 and never had a problem. In the last month the No Service is constant. All day at work i dont get a singal message then I get 40 all at once on the bus going home. Areas where i used to have full signal I now have 1 bar. It’s driving me mad!Â
oh I meant to say, I’ve been with O2 for 10years and never had a problem until now… thinking about switching provider!
Yep, exactly the same issue here – iPhone 3GS, no problems with O2 until earlier this month – now constant “No Service.”
Any joy with this?
Hey Snap!!!! Thought I was going mad…..
The only diference is mine is a iphone 3g and it is on the Tesco network Which I now know to be O2…. never had a problem with the Tesco network until I put the sim in the I phone.
Spoke to Tesco who have been very helpful over the last couple of weeks they sent me a new sim guess what no joy…. grrrr!Â
PS it was Tesco who told me they use the O2 network and for the record it started about a month ago…. shocking!!!
In a city centre I can full bars and even full (blue) 3g walk along the road 50m and NOSERVICE….
And one more thing like others here say, now I have no signal at although talking to the network people it should be fine. Then all of a sudden in the middle of the night the phone wakes me up and I get all my texts come though and sometimes I can send them or make a call and about 2 mins later You Guessed It Nooooooo it’s gone again!!!!!!
HELP!!!!
its happening to me and i am on vodafoe
I have been on Tesco for the last 20 months. Only yesterday, I started having No Service issues. There is nothing wrong with my account (I’ve checked) and the network is fine ‘allegedly lol’. This problem is beginning to be a drag now. Sim card has been removed and cleaned as requested, but still the problem persists. Makes my choices for a new phone and network a lot easier!
i lost suddenly sound in my iphone 3gs aqnd then signal
iphone 4 with o2 constantly loses signal in W3 (my home/office) 🙁
I’m on 02 and I have just brought an iPhone 3G yesterday put my sim card in and got no signal what’s so ever….. All it keeps saying is no service so how can I get u2 signal
Are you sure that the phone you have isn’t locked?
What you are seeing is indicative of a locked iPhone with another providers sim.
As I recently bought a used 3GS last month, I have noticed poor signal performance using my GiffGaff SIM, which uses the O2 network. My daughter has GiffGaff on my old iPhone 3G, but has no issues. I thought the phone was faulty, but I decided to try an old Orange PAYG sim and I have a full signal sat in the same seat in my house where O2 / GiffGaff had none or one bar. Any help or news on this would be greatly appreciated.
i have the iphone 3gs and am with o2, had the phone for about 6 months and it was used when i got it, just recently i have been receiving the ‘no service’ sign a lot, my internet is pants and has never worked in my house but my phone signal has always worked. i checked my coverage on o2s website and it says mobile broadand is bad inside but phone signal is good inside, so today i went into an o2 shop and spoke to a ‘guru’ he gave me a new sim and said if i put the new sim in and i still have no signal then my phone will be broke. ive put the new sim in and still receive no signal i have searched the net and have found no info from apple about the signal being ‘broke’. anyone else have any solutions?Â
My iphone 4s has the same fault, without moving i can go from 4 bars to no service, I never get 3g and I am on O2, what can we do about it. Well I spoke to them so many times , they get you to restore your software, go into and out of aeroplane mode. Switch on / off. None of these things work. eventually they sent me a new sim, this did not work. I went to Apple they gave me a new Iphone, and still i have the same fault. Why wont O2 admit that their network does not work well with Iphones. I am sick of having dropped calls
Hi I have an iPhone 3GS on Vodafone and experience this all the time . The problem is not with the sim card as it works perfectly with another handset. The problem is not my house as my sons black erry works perfectly on Vodafone inside. Perhaps most strangely of all is my partners iPhone works perfectly everywhere and he is on orange. I find it very frustrating and will probably end up selling the iPhone because of it .
Hi I also have a problem with my signal on my iPhone 3GS again like you I am on O2. This has been for the last few days now it’s very annoying
I’m getting it now and I’m looking to ring someone for a job VACANCY !!!!! >:/
I am having the same problems. The 3 G was fine. Â The 3GS and 4 rubbish. Â I am on my 3rd iPhone 4. Â Really disappointed with apple since these are our business phones Â
i had this on the iphone 3gs, funnily enough i turned the security lock code off while i was messing as i was having to input the code, once that had been disabled hey presto good signal! coincedence?
frustrated.
I have also suffering with loss of service signal. It was suggested that I switch the phone off for 3to 4 minutes and then re-start it. On this occasion I seem to have recovered my signal. Hope this helps you.
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Hi I got an I Phone 3G, I have the same problem, with my I
phone sometime it say I got no service, when I go to the countryside
Guisborough, I use to have a Nokia  and
never had a problem with that. Also I was on 02. Is there anyway I can get it
fixed.
I am on o2, have an iPhone 4s and have had the no service signal for days…
I have an old Samsung phone with a spare, active
O2 sim in it, and I have to use that for texts and
Calls.. It’s driving me mad.. I can get the Internet
On the iPhone 4s, but only if I’m linked to
WiFi… I don’t know what’s going on….
Just a little add on.. Someone suggested this
Problem may be because the iPhone could
Be locked.. Mine was brought for cash, and is
Pay and go on any network I like… I just chose
O2… I still have no service!!
Have had exactly the same issue with my 3gs and O2 (as described in the article) for the last couple of years now. It seems that in areas of weaker (3 bars or less) signal the phone has a tendancy to drop off a bit too ‘willingly’. When ever I am on a different network (i.e when I’m abroad) there is never a signal problem, thus suggesting it isn’t a hardware issue (phone or sim card). The problem also disappears if I use sim cards from a different network on my phone (I purchased the phone unlocked). I have friends with 3gs, 4, 4s etc with no issue, the only difference is that they are O2 phones locked to the network. My suspicion is that it is a carrier firmware problem, unfortunately updating my carrier firmware is nigh on impossible as it’s a work contract that goes through various 3rd parties before anything can be done and it’s like playing Chinese whispers through brick walls! TBH, since updating from iOS 4.x.x the phone has lost all ‘snappyness’ and is due for a replacement soon, most likely Android based.
I think I’ve worked it out for mine. It’s seems to go offline when Voicemail is triggered…!
Having exactly the same problems! For several years I received a pretty good signal from O2 on various phones whilst at home and out. My current 3GS worked very well until a week ago – I now get NO signal at home and a “delicate” signal whilst out. My previous 3GS developed exactly the same problem and eventually only connected to O2 on very rare occasions.
My iphone 3gs is having like 1-2 bars then droping out saying “SOS only” also saying searching. Sometimes it shoots straight up to 4-5.?? It gets very annoying. i really want to resolve the problem.
My iPhone 3GS has also been doing this. It was fine since I’ve had it, but even when I’m home where there’s good reception, the phone keep saying “Searching” and then it takes minutes before it says “No Service”. After 3 or so minutes, it goes back to service. Help??
Same problem here, my 3GS is driving me nuts. I had to downgrade yesterday to IOS 4.1 out of desperation… Most of my apps not are useless (compatibility issues).
I know my iphone is old, but if you google this problem you’ll be surprised to see that iphone 5, 5s, and 5c owners are experiencing the same thing…..
IPhone 3GS ios 4.1 newer 05.13.04, currently in Morocco using MOR IAM service….
My wife’s 3GS is flawless though……. No signal problems at all…….
Hoping to get hold of an R-sim air 2 to unlock my 5c Sprint….
Good luck everybody.
Ahmed.
I forgot, the iphone seems fine now…. No signal problems.
Ahmed.