iPhone Users Suffering from ‘Searching for Service’ Bug
Users over on Apple’s support forums are complaining of a bug that has been around since the first generation iPhone and the 1x software. Even on the 3.1.2 software users are randomly getting their iPhones stuck without service while the phone says it is searching for a signal. This bug does not discriminate either, it does not care what cell phone carrier your are with, whether your device is jailbroken or not, or model of iPhone.
Currently the only way to get around this bug is if you reset your device by holding down the power button along with the home button until you see the Apple logo appear on your screen. Once booted back up your service should be restored.
Fortunately, none of us here at TiPb have personally encountered this behavior from any of our current iPhones. Any of our readers find themselves ’searching for service’?
[Via iLounge]
November 24th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Yeah, sometimes, after it was in your pocket with no signal.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
happens to me like once a week
November 24th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I get it a lot suddenly signal goes weak and searching starts. I switch airplane mode on and off again and signal comes back. Apple replaced first 3GS but new one is just the same ;-(
November 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I’ve seen it. It occurs once or twice a year for me..so it’s no big deal.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Yeah except mine says “searching” and I actually have signal and I can make and receive calls and text no problem but it stuck on “searching”. A reset is the only way to get the signal bars back.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Yeah, anywhere in crappy AT&T coverage. There’s a $(#&@ map for that.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I get it several times a week, taking the subway to work. The worst is when the phone displays a full signal but can’t make phone calls or use the edge/3g network. which happens just as often in new york city.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I have noticed this problem over the last few months. Used to be able to make calls and keep calls connected with no problems at home and at the office. Over the last few months, I have noticed the 3Gs searching for service or disconnecting me when on a call. Not sure what has changed.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I honestly don’t think its a phone issue. Here in Australia, I used to be with an ATT equivalent network (i.e. horrible) called Optus. I would constantly get the searching for service thing as the overloaded towers would keep kicking me off.
I then moved to Telstra (probably the best, but most expensive, carrier in the world) and I have never once seen searching for service come up. It’s just another excuse to blame a network issue on the iphone i think.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
This problem happens several times a day. Of course, even with full signal strength I only have a 50-50 chance of actually getting a working data connection. I am in New York City.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
On occassion I have full bars, only to find out that someone has been trying to call me or text message me. I eventually reboot my phone and get all my missed texts showing up in my inbox.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Happens all the time. I’m in Nashville, and “the map” shows good coverage around here.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
@VSNY
A 50-50 chance… you need to cancel your contract man.. thats insane.. My phone has never had the problem, I have great 3G coverage thats very fast, and have never dropped a call.. although I usually text.. I’m the polar opposite of you folks. Which makes your stories hard to believe, but I guess from your side.. my story is hard to believe.. Hope it gets fixed.. but in all reality, it will probably just keep getting worse.. the chart showing that iphones use 55% of all data across smartphones, shows why carriers struggle with the phone.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I get this problem daily. If I wait, it takes about 5 minutes for the signal to come back. If I turn my phone off and back on again… It takes about 5 minutes. I’m stuck either way
November 24th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
I have had this happen a couple times no biggie. My problem now is laggy software sometimes. Going from one app to next.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
I often get the problem @Chris in #11 indicated, whereby nobody can call or text me, and, after a reboot, I see a plethora or missed phone calls and text messages. This really, really cripples the utility of my phone. (AT&T in California.)
The “Searching for Service” bug is not nearly as annoying, but it bites me about once a month.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
It happens to me too. airplane mode on and off will restore the signal. I was traveling in an area that was on the fringe of 3G coverage. Sometime when I turned on 3G for some tethered use, the phone would drop to no signal or searching. If I turned off 3G, it made no difference so once again airplane on/off and I was back to a full 5 bars.I had great voice and ok Edge, but the 3G was just marginal inside.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Yes it’s, I’ve been experiencing it since 3.1.2 and other complaint of mine is disappearing wi-fi.. Funny!
November 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
No problem here with both 3G and 3GS. I’m with Fido (Canada) btw.
Never seen that even in the basement.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Yeah i get onc or twice a month. I’m on Orange in France…
November 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
My friend with Telus, on the other hand, complains from this a lot. Wonder if its carrier related issue or the iPhone itself.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Never had the problem…..knock on faux wood.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
It happens at least twice a day. I live in São Paulo – Brazil and my carrier is TIM with 3G or Edge networks. I have an iPhone 3G. If I lose cell phone signal, like entering on an elevator or traveling on the road, my iPhone keeps itself Searching for Service and eventually goes to No Service. Then I need to switch back and for the airplane mode or reset it to get service again. It really seems to be a bug on the iPhone operational system
November 24th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I called apple with this bug several months ago and for me the “reset network settings” reset button via settings>general>reset, I believe Thts where it is, worked for me. But now I’m haunted by a bug where, when I open the messages app, occasionally I run into a bug where it says cannot find cellular service and it shows full bars.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Every once in a moon it happens when I’m passing a “no service” zone and when I’m back into a service zone it says “searching for signal”. With a flick of sbsettings I reboot or respring device an voilà all is better.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Why do I get all the bugs. Thinking of bailing and going Red. AT&T/Apple wants to chrage me to fix this. Ridiculous!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
It happens once every couple of weeks for both me (vodafone aus) and my partner (optic aus). After powering down it usually comes back. But in Paris on holiday I spent 2 days withot signal
November 24th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Since MMS came out my phone constantly switches between Edge, 3G, and GPRS (the “o”). This only happens in Lower Manhattan, and it drains my battery out a lot quicker.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Firts time that i can say: yes exactly that happened to me twice!! I guess you shouldnt reset it, but yeah, just switch airplane mode on then off and everything is fine again.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Hmm I thought this was because I dropped my phone one to many times. Glad to here this is a known issue.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I am constantly having a similar issue, but my symptoms differ. I do not see “searching for network”; my phone shows full bars next to the AT&T, but is not followed by “E”, “3G” or the “o” (there’s nothing there). Attempting to call, text, or use network requiring apps evidences that I have no network despite full bars. Neither reset or airplane on/off resolves this. I love my iPhone but am at my wit’s end when it comes to my network service. Anyone know what that means to have full bars w/o a network indicator?
November 24th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
This is an issue I get rarely in the Seattle area. Usually airplane and back solves it.
Far more frequent is opening the phone and not being on WiFi. Up pops a could not connect to wifi prompt, and if you click Retry, 1) it will never connect, 2) it will drop your password for that network.
Happens all the time on various routers. Been a known problem for the last 3 or 4 releases. If your phone happens to be checking mail when you awaken it and try to use the wifi you are doomed.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Funny, I jailbroke my 3GS last week using blackra1n. I thought it was because of this.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I have this issue on a daily basis in Virginia beach,Virginia it will start to search then it will come back on my signal bars are constantly going up and down and I get dropped calls often
November 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I get it occasionally when I’ve been on the subway and come above ground and immediately try to use my phone. It’s like the phone has gotten tired of looking for a signal and forgets to try again. However, I never thought of it as an iPhone bug, since every phone I’ve ever owned (on any network) has done this at some time, and usually a restart is the fastest way to fix it.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I had this issue when I traveled back from Penn. to Long Island, New York and only doing the reset cleared this issue. This was maybe the second time it happened. Otherwise I got no service even my wife had 5 bars on edge/3g. And yes I did try turning service off/on changing between edge/3G no change the phone just totally showed no service at all. Otherwise the applications / music worked well.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Haven’t seen this in a long time. I vaguely remember it a little in 2.X but toggling 3G off then back on always fixed it.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Ok did a hard reset and have full string signal
November 24th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
This happened to me a couple times on the 2.x os and the 3g phone. Was living in Pasadena at the time and the phone service was especially bad. Had to reboot the phone. Out here in the desert, the phone service has been excellent and I have not encountered the issue.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Brand new iPhone user here, had it about three or four weeks and I’ve had it happen already twice I think. The first time was when the phone was so new I didn’t even know you could power it off all the way. sheepish look My brother (who owns an iPod touch) showed me how and sure enough it reset. Then a week or so later in a completely different part of town it refused to send a text and said it had no service so I tried powering it off and it worked again. Glad to hear this is a “normal” fluke everyone has happen.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Nope, never happened.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Yup… and you described the fix I finally figured out after two months of this. 3GS. Happens once or twice a day.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Every once in a while (1 a month?) I get a pop up reading “cannot activate cellular data network” but I just hit OK and I continue surfing the web or txting or make a phone call without ANY problem or delay. It’s weird. And I live in Pittsburgh, but have no problems with AT&T. Like ever.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Yep. And AT&T tech support advised getting a new SIM. I did that, and was without service for 3 hours Sunday due to an AT&T glitch, not being able to provision SIM changes instantly. Anyone for a petition asking (begging? demanding?) Apple to change carriers?
November 24th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
It does happen to me.
What I do tho is that I go to airplane mode, turn it on then wait a little bit and turn it off. Works for me. If it doesn’t (which is rearely) I reset it.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Never had I happen to me.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Happened to me today just stayed on no service first time ever must ne something happening with AT&T ’s network.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Have the same problem when i search internet or use skype over3g. First the receptioon goes down to one bar, the “no signal” then “searching” then back to full reception. I cant take it anymore
November 24th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
This happens to me quite often. I would guess about once a week – after a reboot everything is fine.
Currently on a Jailbroken 3.1.2 3GS. It happened prior to jailbreaking and happened consistantly on my 2G since day one. It’s one of the few things that I truly hate.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
That **** happens to me time to time. I can’t stand the searching for service ****.
Tah tah 4 now, gotta go help expand socialsm.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
My iPhone 3gs once aday keeps saying no sim card. Has this hapen to any else? And is it related to 3.1.2?
November 24th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Yep. Happens to me. Specially when i move from somewhere where there was no signal onto a good signal one. I just turn off – on airplane mode and im ready to go.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:08 am
drop calls more often now …searching for service …hard reset fix the problem …only two times no sim message also fix whit a hard reset
November 25th, 2009 at 12:21 am
as soon as i read this post and walked out the door not even five minutes later I had it happen to me
November 25th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Boom
November 25th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Try getting in the coverage area
November 25th, 2009 at 2:27 am
I have encountered this problem before. It doesnt matter if my Iphone 3G was jailbroken or not. Its annoying because I can be in an area with perfect 3G service and out of nothing i get that “Searching For Service” message. All i do to fix it is put the phone on Airplane Mode and then switch it back to regular mode. Works every time.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:54 am
Exact problem happens to me, I’ll have 5 bars 3G on my Blackberry and “Searching” on my iPhone… And I have to reset it to get it to reconnect, it doesn’t happen if I put the phone on EDGE but that kinda defeats the purpose.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:22 am
The 3GS is my first iPhone, and I’ve occasionally run into this… but… previously I was a longtime Windows Mobile user and experienced this as well… I thinks it’s a shortcoming of wireless communications.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:23 am
I just never have service, AT&T is horrible, “FIX THE FREAKING NETWORK!!!! All I ask for is consistent 3G coverage and to be able to use my iPhone inside of a building. My battery life is horrible due to the coverage, one minute I’m on 3G and the next I’m on edge and the next I’m searching for service. If Verizon ever gets the iPhone, I’m there in a second.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Happens to me a few times a month. I think it happens when I am genuinely in an area with poor signal, but when I return to a good signal area the iPhone has given up and never re-acquires the signal. I reported the problem to apple.com/feedback. I am on O2 in the UK and I have a 3GS with latest firmware.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I’ve had this happen three or four times. The last time it was at the office where my phone is often cycling between EDGE and 3G. A power cycle of the phone always fixes it. I’m in Krakow, Poland, using Orange.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Yes, happens to me also. But not as much as before. For me, I’d always thought it was my Mophie Juice Pak, which I have since taken off as it defiinately affects signal reception strength in all but the strongest cell areas (at least my experience). So, yes, still an occasional hassle, but not as frequent. BTW, i also just switch to airplane mode and back, which seems to work.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I never had that problem before but there was a time when I had the iPhone jailbroken and it did happen many times. That is one if the reasons why I don’t jailbreak specualy now with all the worms that are coming out for jailbreak iPhone. I knew that was going to happen sooner or later. Maybe is someone in apple doing it so people stop jailbreaking their phones
November 25th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
^ your a p. U. S. S. Y.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
This happens to me eveyday when I go through the train tunnels. It’s very annoying.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
This only happens to me when I’m powering my 3g 16G on, to fix it I just toggle a/p mode
November 25th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Wonder how many of you guys have the garbage 71234 sim card from AT&T. I have told countless people to go get the newer 71247 sim which I have and never have issues. I don’t know anyone that I have told to go get the newer sim that helped alot.
It wouldn’t doubt that the sims in other countries are off the same batch and just carrier branded.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
no sim card again today no service two more people at work at the sime time
November 26th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Hey has anyone faced the problem of sending a SMS from an iPhone and the recipient getting an empty message instead of yours. This start happening a lot lately with my iPhone 3G 3.2 and 3.2.1. Anyone else??
November 28th, 2009 at 4:56 am
Optus Australia. About once per week since 3.1 only. Precipitated by going to no signal area (like underground) and resolved by aircraft mode on and off but major issue as I’m a physician on call and may not realize this has happened until important (even life and death) calls missed. I blame recent firmware as went over 12 months before seeing this. What does Apple say?
November 28th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
New SIM from AT&T did NOT do the trick. Still get NO SERVICE message. Next week will visit the Genius Bar in CA.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Already been through the Genius bar, who swapped the phone – same problem. It is a 3GS which worked fine until after their first upgrade – second one (3.1.2) made it worse. Apple’s people don’t seem to know about it; called AT&T wireless and tried to give them the URL to this discussion and they couldn’t get past their web site blocking to be able to read it.
This is really frustrating because it is Apple sitting there with their fingers in their ears say “I can’t hear you.” while we ask for a solution.
The guy’s manager said that they HAVE heard of it but they need more pressure to be able to force Apple to deal with it. So…if you’re having the problem…give them a call and be persistent so they actually deal with it.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Here a small tweak that worked for me. When you get the “no service” go to your control panel and change to Airplane mode and back again this should do the trick without reseting. Still, this does not prevent the problem from happening.
December 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I get this multiple times a day with a new iPhone 3GS. I live in Pittsburgh, which supposedly has decent coverage, yet I get searching, no signal, or one lone bar on Edge.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I get this several times a day. It just started myabe a month a go. It will start with “full bars—>searching for service—>no service—>then back to full bars” It happens in areas where I know I have service…its happens while on a call…its happens moving or standing still. Sadly, it seems like Apple and the Iphone are beginning to become second rate. What was once and elite top of the line piece of technology is now quickly becoming old news. Phones like the Droid are quickly surpassing the once superior Iphone. I hope apple wakes up and steps up their game when it comes to addressing these problems
December 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I work in Brazil half of the year. I live in one city and drive to work in another. I also drive a lot while I’m working. This happens to me ALL DAY LONG!!!! It is driving nutty!!! I haqve always turned my phone off to reacquire the data network. The “Airplane Mode” will at least be a little faster. Are there any good sources for following the solution to this problem. My web searches don’t see to pull up a lot except blogs. (No offence) I’d like to learn more about it…
January 8th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Yep same prob here 3gs 32gb model with 3.1.2 not jailbroken or anything wifi works fine but no cellular network
February 7th, 2010 at 12:28 am
What if this doesn’t even seem to help?
February 7th, 2010 at 10:24 am
I am also a physician and I was using my iPhone as a “pager” using the “Paging” app. Operating rooms are often dead zones for phones, so that when I come out to see patients, unknown to me, there’s no signal as it’s “searching”. This is a life and death issue for me, and I cannot trust this technology anymore. Too bad; such a great product otherwise.