iphone 12 not connecting to network extender

Just got an iphone 12, which defaults to 5G service "when available." As far as I know, there is no 5G service in my area. In any event, I've experimented with some settings, such as turning off 5G altogether, but I have yet to be able to connect with my home network extender.

In the meantime, I see that this phone has an option of "wi-fi calling" enabled. Is it possible that using the option of wi-fi calling interferes with the ability to connect to the network extender? Frankly, I'm not even sure which will give me better service. But I'd like to maximize connectivity, in any way possible.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Accepted answers

Verizon_Support

wynton,

You can definitely try referring the post Jav6 made. In general, you should be able to use an LTE extender without issue, as the phone still accesses all our LTE channels. If the extender is an older 3G extender, which most 4G phones will be able to connect to, it will not work at all. 5G iPhones lack CDMA access. So you could just have a case of all the older phones connecting to the 3G extender and your phone unable to find the signal. You can generally get the best connection with the most range out of WiFi calling in a no service situation. However, this must be established on-network. Have you been able to successfully set up WiFi Calling on your phone? How has it performed, if so?

All comments

Pdub1971

Same problem here with new iPhone 12 not connecting to my network extender.

Verizon_Support

Thanks for those details, wynton. Congrats on the new phone. The last thing we want is for you to experince issues connecting to the network extender. Have you tried turning off the Wi-Fi Calling feature to connect? Are there other devices around you experiencing the same issue?

wynton

Yes, I tried calling without the wi-fi enabled. Didn't help.

And my family continues to have no issue with the network extender, but they all have older phones (and not iphones).

Verizon_Support

This is disheartening to hear. We are here to help. A Private Note will be sent, so we can dig into this issue. - BrittanyC_VZW

jav6

@wynton
wrote:
Yes, I tried calling without the wi-fi enabled. Didn't help.
And my family continues to have no issue with the network extender, but they all have older phones (and not iphones).

and @Pdub1971
, have you seen this post. It has an interesting theory and possible solution:

https://community.verizonwireless.com/t5/Network-Extender/iPhone-no-signal-LTE-Network-Extender-not-working-iPhone-won-t/m-p/1189933#M4673

Verizon_Support

wynton,

jav6

@Pdub1971
wrote:
Same problem here with new iPhone 12 not connecting to my network extender.

It would help to tell us which model extender you have.

wynton

It turns out I do have a 3G network extender, so I guess that's the problem.

Now I'm wondering whether the wi-fi calling is superior (in terms of coverage) than a network extender anyway. Have to decide whether to buy a newer network extender

MichaelM1

I cannot speak to any 3G/CDMA extenders, but I want to share for everyone having issues. There is something wrong with Verizon's configuration they are push to their 4G/LTE extenders. This was confirmed by the fact that on 11/18 they fixed 1 of 3 Samsung 4G LTE Network Extender for Enterprise (Model: SLS-BU102). They are now as of 11/19 (this post) working to resolve the 2 remaining units. Anyone having issues should reference VzW Ticket# NRB000010348603. So, they can figure out what their engineers have done to fix the issues. I administer the 3 units for a large regional office for my company.

On my iPhone 12 Pro Max I have both physical and eSIM activated on Verizon. Which per Apple documentation means I will not be able us 5G and am forced into LTE only state; until I disable one of the lines. These same lines work on 11/12 on an iPhone 11 Pro Max with the same 3 extenders.

twisdom3329

I'm having the same issue with my new iphone, did you ever get it to work?

bgmason

I am having same issue. Customer Support, can you help me know how to get around this? There is no service at my house, however, with our older extender, my wife and daughter's phones connect with no problem. Thanks

Verizon_Support

Do you know if you have a 3G Network extender? It looks like that was the problem for some other users on this thread. Also, have you tried Wi-Fi Calling? If so, how is the signal for you? ScottD_VZW

jennever

Iphone12 doesn’t connect automatic to the extender unless I press airplane mode off and on.

also my iPhone 11 doesn’t have any issues connecting to the extender.

Verizon_Support

Hello, jennever. We want to make sure you have the details you need, on how your extender works, and what devices can connect to them. Since the iPhone 12 is a 5G device, it may have issues connecting to the 4G extender. Does this make sense? CourtneyM_VZW