News
iPhone users complain of ‘searching for service’ bug
By Charles Starrett
Contributing Editor
Published: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
News Categories: iPhone
A number of iPhone users are voicing their displeasure over a bug in iPhone software 3.1.2 that sees the phone randomly start searching for service. According to a thread on the Apple Support Discussions site, the problem appears to be software related, as users on AT&T, Rogers Wireless, and Telus have been affected; the only current fix once the phone begins searching is to reboot the device. It is unclear as to whether the problem is limited to iPhone 3G units, but no verified users of other models have complained on the thread thus far, suggesting that the bug may be specific to that iPhone model.
Update: A number of users, including one iLounge editor, have confirmed in the comments that the bug is indeed affecting all models of iPhone.
Related Stories
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
- New Apple offers in India can reduce iPhone price
- Apps: Can Knockdown 3, eBay 3.0/2.3, Jungle Book + Sonic the Hedgehog 2.0
- Apple patent filing uses multiple devices to light a scene
- Google: iOS Hangouts, new Maps, Music All Access + More
- In-flight e-device guidelines still up in the air
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
- Apple releases testimony before CEO’s Senate appearance
- New Apple offers in India can reduce iPhone price
- Report: Apple testing 1.5” OLED displays for iWatch
- Song skipping terms slowing iRadio negotiations
- iLounge Weekly arriving Monday, giveaway reminder
- Report: BBM iOS app won’t support iPad at launch
- Report: iRadio might miss WWDC debut
- Fair Labor Assoc.: Foxconn, Apple still exceed work hours
- CW to bring content to Apple TV
Recent Reviews
- Trü Protection Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set
- New Trent iCarrier IMP120D Dual USB Power Pack
- BlueFlame 2M Charge and Sync Cable with Lightning Connector
- HMDX Jam Party Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker
- Logitech Harmony Ultimate Universal Remote Control
- MyCharge Freedom 2000 Battery Case for iPhone 5
- Nike Nike+ FuelBand
- OCDesk OCDock for iPhone 5
- Bluelounge MiniDock (With Lightning Connector)
- Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Pro
Recent Articles
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
- Can’t eject iPod nano without closing Firefox
- Can’t change iTunes Apple ID to iCloud e-mail address
- Effect of erasing an iPhone on the Find My iPhone feature
21
I’ve had this problem with an original, non-jailbroken iPhone starting with v3.1 and it still continues.
Posted by Paul on November 25, 2009 at 3:38 PM (PST)
22
Sometimes my iPhone 3G says “Searching 3G” or it will have E for EDGE.
Posted by David on November 25, 2009 at 5:46 PM (PST)
23
un-jailbroken 3G, Vodafone New Zealand. I get it maybe two or three times a week. Not as bad as some, but I hope 3.1.3 solves the problem all the same
Posted by mr_infamy on November 25, 2009 at 8:26 PM (PST)
24
Uh, I think I must correct my previous posting.
In the apple userforum I found a solution to this problem - in “Settings/Carrier” I had set “Carrier” to my Carrier. So, every time the connection got lost (even for a second or so) I got this popup-message.
So I changed the setting to “automatic” and now everything is great. My friend had set this to automatic anyway, so he never had this problem.
I don’t care so much about having always a connection to my carrier ( I don’t use it for calls very much), but I really hated the message I got every time.
Posted by Christian Mueller on November 26, 2009 at 10:07 AM (PST)
25
new att customer with 3gs iphone for a month now and no problem here. no jb and i have ver 3.1.2.
Posted by Patrick on November 29, 2009 at 9:16 AM (PST)
26
iphone 3g - started after the upgrade and happens several times a day.
Posted by rob d on November 30, 2009 at 7:54 PM (PST)
27
I have the same issue. Phone starts searching and then says no service…even if I’m in a 5 bar area! Then goes to full signal. Whole process takes about 5 minutes. Sometimes happens when I’m on the phone and what I then observe is a slow degradation of signal and people saying they can’t here me until the phone just goes into no-service. Very discouraging. Seems to happen a few times per hour. Phone signal constantly going up and down.
Posted by Doug on December 1, 2009 at 1:03 PM (PST)
28
Same problem over the last two weeks. 5 bars on the wifes phone, mine is searching. Vancouver, BC
Posted by James on December 3, 2009 at 7:03 PM (PST)
29
My 1st Generation Iphone does this randomly..except it loses service completely randomly and takes about 5 minutes to come back up.
Posted by Mark Moody on December 11, 2009 at 12:22 PM (PST)
30
Oh, and also..No, my Iphone is not jailbroken. This started to happen with this newest update also, if not the one before it.
Posted by Mark Moody on December 11, 2009 at 12:24 PM (PST)
31
I have this same problem on both my 16GB iPhone 3G and 3GS. I am in South Africa and it is very annoying.
Posted by Nigel on December 16, 2009 at 8:55 AM (PST)
32
Same issue in Montreal, Rogers 3G , jailbroken with Geohotz blackra1n. The tendancy I see is after checking email, I tend to drop calls…
Posted by Danny on January 7, 2010 at 10:08 AM (PST)
33
I have a brand new Iphone from Apple not jailbroken and I’ve had this issue occur twice since purchase (approximately 1 week). May need to take in to Applecare.
Posted by Rick M on January 27, 2010 at 5:36 AM (PST)
34
Same issue 3gs not JB.
Consistently drops my calls on the road.
Thinking of switching to google phone and drop AT&t.
Shame on Apple & Att for not addressing.
Posted by Ram on February 4, 2010 at 5:35 PM (PST)
35
I have the same issue. I get the same results from Virgin Mobile and Rogers Wireless using an 16gb iPhone 3gs. I used two separate Iphones from each respected providers both using 3.1.3 os. I live in Toronto Canada. Hoping fix comes soon.
Posted by Luch on March 15, 2010 at 7:40 AM (PST)
36
Have this problem but now phone is stuck with the apple logo cant turn off just stuck…help
Posted by sandra on March 23, 2010 at 7:10 PM (PST)
37
Not jailbroken. Have had it since last update. Based in Manchester UK
Posted by Saqif on July 2, 2010 at 10:59 AM (PST)
38
not jailbroken, new verizon iphones, issue of no service began on 16g phone yesterday and later that day on 32g. must power cycle off and on to restore signal.
Posted by mrt on February 17, 2011 at 5:31 AM (PST)
39
I’ve this problem with 3G. My device is not jail-broken. Time to switch to a Lumina 900!
Posted by Hugo on February 28, 2012 at 9:51 PM (PST)
40
Mine started doing this whilst working in a hospital where connection is poor…now its happening every day and at present wont clear of the ‘searching’- HELP !!!!
Posted by Tracy on May 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM (PST)
Page 2 of 2 pages < 1 2