iPhone signal problems (weak, fluctuating signal): boosting strength

Users continue to report abysmal wireless network signals for the iPhone in areas where other phones pick up strong signals. A throng of users are reporting the problem in the UK after the iPhone’s launch on the O2 network there, and similar complaints continue steadily for AT&T customers in the US and T-Mobile users in Germany.

The following case from iPhone Atlas reader Greg K is typical:

“I’ve been struggling with this issue too.  Have replaced the phone entirely and also gotten a new updated sim card, but nothing helps.  This is purely an Iphone issue as I’m having signal issues in places I had no problems at before (been an ATT/Cingular customer for 2 years because I had better reception with them than with T-Mobile).”

Reset iPhone In some cases, simply resetting the iPhone can resolve signal strength issues. Hold down the home and sleep buttons simultaneously until you see the white Apple logo, indicating that your iPhone has restarted.

Reset network settings Tap Settings, tap General, tap Reset, tap Reset Network Settings. This will cause your iPhone to restart, and will delete any stored Wi-Fi passwords as well as DNS settings and more. It can resolve signal strength issues in some cases.

Re-seat your SIM card If your iPhone’s SIM card is not seated properly, signal strength can suffer. Try re-seating the SIM by pushing a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the top of the device to open the SIM tray, making sure the SIM Card is properly in place, then re-inserting the SIM tray. Also check for debris inside the tray or SIM card slot.

Restore the iPhone Click the Restore button under the Summary tab. Restoring the phone will erase contacts, calendars, photos and other data on the phone (including any third-party applications), but will restore automatically backed-up information including text messages, notes, call history, contact favorites, sound settings, widget settings, etc.

Some users have reported that restoring the iPhone, but not restoring custom settings data from the computer-stored backup alleviates this issue. Note that you’ll lose text messages, notes, call history, contact favorites, sound settings, widget settings, etc with this method, though you can restore them anytime by simply doing another restore and choosing to push the backup to the phone.

Dock the phone or just attach a (dangling) USB cable We previously reported that docking the iPhone or attaching it to a host computer via a USB cable (in turn delivering a charge) can boost signal strength dramatically. It’s difficult to discern whether the signal is boosted by simply having a cable attached, or whether the power delivered during a charge boosts signal strength.

At least one iPhone Atlas reader found that simply attaching a dangling (not connected to anything) USB cable to his iPhone provided an instant boost in signal strength.

“The boost of signal strength isn’t restricted to the docking station or connection to the mac — put the dock cable in and enjoy a signal booster for inside car or areas with limited reception.”

Give the phone a full charge (battery related?) Some evidence indicates that poor signals are a symptom of low battery charges, though this fix may be conflated with the aforementioned: docking the phone or attaching a USB cable.

Take iPhone Atlas reader Warren’s case:

“I was at my sister’s house, trying to sort out her airport for her mac. I was offline on the mac because of the airport problems, so I wanted to look up ‘Airport Base Station Hard Reset’ info on my iPhone. I went into Safari on the phone, but couldn’t get a connection (the signal indicator went from 1 bar, to no bars, to actually saying “no service”). I also had a 20% battery live left warning, so, noticing my sister’s iPod cable, I plugged in the iPhone to charge, and immediately got 5 bars on the signal indicator, and ‘E’ to indicate Edge coverage.

“I did not change even 6 inches of the position of the phone during this. I think it’s very clear proof of a problem with battery and signal levels.”

Exchange for new unit Some users have had success obtaining replacement iPhones for signal strength issues. Though this solution is far from universal, the following case is evidentiary:

“I have extremely poor signal. Even when it is next to another iPhone, mine is lower.”

Buy a signal booster A few readers have reported success with third-party wireless signal boosters like the $250 zBoost. One iPhone Atlas reader, Daniel Leighton, writes:

“I noticed this phenomenon (boosting signal strength by connecting it to the dock) from the day I first purchased my iPhone (I receive virtually no service in my basement home office, where I use the phone most). I had always assumed that it had something more to do with keeping the phone’s antenna in an upright position rather than the USB connection itself. But I think other factors are at work here as well. I also noticed at the time that if I simply left the phone in one place and moved it only enough to turn it on and read the screen, I’d get a decent signal. If I picked it up, the signal would soon disappear.

“In any case, I solved the problem by purchasing a zBoost cell phone signal extender. A pricey solution at around $250 US, but it does work. It requires that I position an antenna in my kitchen window (where I receive a strong signal), then run a coax cable from the kitchen to my office, where it connects to a remote unit with another antenna. I get all five bars as a result. I mentioned this unit to a friend who was having signal problems himself and who had returned his iPhone immediately, only to purchase one again after I told him about the zBoost.”

Firmware update? It’s possible that a future firmware update from Apple will hold the keys to signal strength issues. Stay tuned…

Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.