4S - Connection drops to "searching" every few seconds - fix

[HomieG35]

Yesterday about 5pm my iPhone 4S started "Searching" for signal every 10-20 seconds. I couldn't make a call (that would last for more than a few seconds) and could hardly get a text out.

I tried hard booting the phone, messing with all the settings. It would keep a signal if you turned data off under 'network settings' - which turns off 3G, push, mail, voicemail, etc.

Finally, I thought I'd see what happened if I turned the date back to January 1, 2011. Fixed. Have had full signal and 3G since. Has not lost a connection in over 8 hours now.

Searching Google, I see others were having this issue. I hope this helps.

This all being said, if it is an issue with the clock or calendar app expect Apple to put out an update... this will be interesting with the 4S jailbreak around the corner. I guess if I'll need to keep my phone in the year 2011 to keep it working without an update.

[Simon]

That's a very odd bug

[R.Mortera]

That's really weird. :/ never had that experience with my 4S.

[HomieG35]

Gonna give it a bit and change the date back to 2012 and see what happens.

Links to others describing this exact issue. Maybe it's not a 2011/2012 year issue... but this is what solved my problem - so far!

My 4s is losing 3g data signal and keeps searching..WIDESPREAD PROBLEM!!! - iPhone, iPad, iPod Forums at TiPb.com

https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0

iPhone keeps saying searching? - MacRumors Forums

Interestingly enough, iMessage does not work when setting the date back to January 1, 2011 - I guess because iMessage was not out then? Turn the date back to 2012 and it activates iMessage again...