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iPhone 15 not working unless I constantly toggle airplane mode to get mobile data

I am new to Verizon and have regretted the switch ever since the first day. I have two iPhone 15s on my account and the service (does it on 5g or 4g, doesn't matter which) works great for a few minutes and then the data drops and works at very slow speed, 1-2 down and upload will usually time out on speed tests. If I toggle airplane mode on and off, the phone reconnects to the network and works great for a few minutes (80-100 down inside my home) and then a few minutes later drops back down to nearly nothing and normally will not resolve itself unless I either restart the phone or toggle airplane mode. Also when this occurs the signal indicator goes from three bars(what I typically have with Verizon at my home) to one and sure enough when this happens I have lost any meaningful cellular data on the phones. I have spent hours talking to Verizon's customer/tech support via phone and chat to no avail. They recommend replacing one phone to see if that solves it. New eSIM solved the issue for about half a day but the problem returned. I called Apple and they ran some diagnostics on their end and they believe it be a network issue since both phones are doing it. I filed a FCC complaint today. Probably also a waste of time but I am out of options it seems. Has anyone had anything similar and figured out a fix?

Comments

Verizon_Support

We're sorry to hear that you're having so many problems after switching to us. We always want to provide you with the best coverage possible, and we're going to do everything we can to help you. I know you mentioned spending hours on the phone and chat, but I just want to make sure, what troubleshooting have you completed? Have you replaced those devices as recommended?

~Jesse

SynthpopAddict

@drewbmckenzie
, does this issue only occur when you're at home, or everywhere? I am wondering if you have a 3rd party Wi-Fi source in your home which is interfering with the iPhone getting Verizon signal.

drewbmckenzie

Hi. With Verizon support I have done several network setting resets, all setting resets(that did absolutely nothing except make me spend an hour trying to get all of my phone settings back how I had them), new eSIM, and one tech support reset something on my phone on Verizon's end that reestablished the phone with the network. eSIM worked for about half a day but then the problem returned the next day. If I toggle hotspot on and off, the phone works great for 5-10 mins and then just drops again until I toggle hotspot on and off again. I have no issues making phone calls but when I get or receive a call while having the slow data issue, the data works great while on the phone call and shortly after before the data goes to snail speed again after a few minutes. I have a screen recording of my iPhone with the issue I would love for someone higher up to take a look at to see if they have any ideas if that is an option. I did not take Verizon up on the offer yet to replace the phones as both are having the same issue and Apple has advised I have a better change of winning the lottery than getting two new iPhones with connection issues that would be tied to a phone hardware/software issue and advised it is almost always something on the carrier's end.

drewbmckenzie

Seems worse at home but does happen out and about as well. It is really annoying because when the cell data is working as it should, the speeds are great with Verizon in my area but the constant toggling of airplane mode to get the phones to work correctly is incredibly annoying and I shouldn't have to do that for the service to work as advertised. I have disconnected my home wifi to see if it was interfering and that did not seem to change anything but thanks for the advise.

Verizon_Support

drewbmckenzie, thank you for the extra details. Do you notice this happening everywhere or just in one location? Would you mind turning your 5G off and only using LTE on your phone to see if there's any improvement by doing so? You can find the steps to change that here: https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-239272/

~Jesse

drewbmckenzie

I have tried that along with many other things. This issue occurs whether I have 5G auto, 5 On, or just LTE. Whenever I do change one of those settings, again the cell data works great for 5-10 mins before dramatically slowing down and the cell service bars drop on the phone to one bar. This issue seems to be happening everywhere however I work from home and don't leave home much. This past weekend I was in another town about 40 minutes away and the issue was still occurring although it seemed to be happening less frequently.

DaByrd

Funny, I’ve been having freezing/slow internet issues for about a month now. Sometimes I toggle and turn off/on WiFi & cellular buttons to get internet. It’s beyond frustrating at this point. Turning phone completely off and back on is useless also

drewbmckenzie

Sorry you are also having issues. It is very annoying considering what these phones and plans cost us. It is either a network issue or an iPhone issue and I plan to get to the bottom of it and if it is a Verizon issue I will dump Verizon and if an iPhone issue I will never get another iPhone.

Verizon_Support

Thank you very much. We'd like to send you a Private Message so we can get a better idea of what's going on. Please be on the lookout.

~Jesse

Verizon_Support

Hello DaByrd. I agree buffering, freezing, connection issues are frustrating. We are here to take a much closer look at what has impacted your Verizon Experience and find options. Please reply to the private messge that will follwo so we can review more details securely, keeping your private information private.

-Deb

DF151

I have had the same issue for at least 3 weeks. My airplane mode comes on by itself. Phone goes SOS and then eventually reconnects for a few minutes. It’s a huge issue for me as it has done this during work calls and other work related things where my phone is needed. I thought it was just a random thing and would stop but it still hasn’t and is getting worse. I update my phone, I’ve reset networks, turned it off and back on. Any kind of trouble shoot possible and it won’t fix it. I’ve been with Verizon for over 10 years and the service has been more frustrating and a let down in the past 3 years. If I didn’t have two iPhones I’m paying for on my plan I’d be switching carriers at this point.

Verizon_Support

First and foremost we appreciate the decade of loyalty, DF151. I know how frustrating those interruptions can be, especially when working as it can come off as unprofessional. The last thing I would want to see is for you to leave us, and I appreciate all of the troubleshooting steps you've already completed. Let's dive into this together, and work towards finding a resolution.

I'd like to start by gathering some additional information about the issue. What, if anything, changed prior to 3-weeks ago when this issue first started happening? Do you know if anyone else is having a similar issue in the same areas as you when this happens? Can you share the nearest cross streets and city where this has happened recently?

-Joseph

DF151

Nothing has changed. I use my phone just as I always have in the same places I always go. It does it basically anywhere at any time randomly. I can’t even use my internet to google etc much less FaceTime or use my hotspot because the airplane comes on every few minutes during those times. My husband has an iPhone on the same plan as me and his is fine so I think it is solely my phone.

I do not have cross streets as I live in the country so it’s hard to say what cross street would even be here since it’s a highway I live off. It happens in Tulsa as well those are the main towns I’m in on a daily.

I upgraded to the iPhone 15 maybe 6 months ago and never had this issue ever with my older versions.

Anonymous001

Oh my word I have the exact same problem!! My partner’s iphone 15 works fine, his speed test will be great and me, sitting right next to him on my iphone 15 will struggle to get in the 20s and 30s download and upload speeds. And we have fiber! Ugh. Toggle airplane mode on/off and speeds shoot up momentarily. Only to recede again. I literally am asking my phone to do almost nothing, but try to do a FaceTime call with a friend who lives in the sticks and it’s MY phone that stinks. And I’m with you OP, who has time to spend hours troubleshooting with Verizon when I know there will most likely be no resolution. Fun times, Verizon. Fun times.

Verizon_Support

We understand the importance of having good mobile data speeds. Please tell us, when did this start? Does this happen only while being indoors?

~Geo

LJRedRain

I'm not sure if this is your problem or not. But I was recently watching a YouTube video and the tech in it said that what you described is an indication that someone is using your wireless network, that it's most likely got a virus or malware of some kind. If you have any AV software (McAfee, Kaspersky...), run that on your computer(s). But I'd also look into it further since I'm not sure if AVs check that kind of thing. Type in your browser <how to check for unauthorized users of my wireless > and <how to get rid of illicit (unauthorized) users on my wireless network >. One or the other should lead you in the right direction. Of course, you might have a totally different issue going on, but it's worth a shot. Especially, the way you describe it as being OK at first then slowing down. The guy said it's because it takes a minute for whoever it is to log on after you. They could be using your wireless as a server for something illegal. Good luck either way.

LJRedRain

It's me again. Maybe whatever is doing that, it's in your iPhone and not Verizon or your home network. Even the fact that it stops after toggling fits. Like whoever is using your stuff gets annoyed and stops cuz your service keeps dropping and starting again. I know that stuff is a 'beach', I'm going through a similar situation. But try to keep an open mind. Watch some tech videos online about slow internet but don't narrow your search down to anything specific to begin with. You may accidentally stumble across something that pertains to your problem. Once again, good luck!

LJRedRain

Hey, have you tried changing your password for the home network?

Verizon_Support

Hi LJRedRain. I get the frustration when our phone will not consistently connect to the mobile or WiFi source. Please reply to the following private message, and we will chat in more detail with account specific informaiton.

-Deb

Verizon_Support

Here is where we would start with troubleshooting the iPhone 15: https://www.verizon.com/support/apple-iphone-15-troubleshooting/

-Deb

Justanotheradikt

Having the same issue but with my iphone14. Very annoying. Verizon has been little to no help.

Verizon_Support

Hello, Justanotheradikt. Help is here as you should always receive assistance from us when you reach out. Please share more details. What troubleshooting steps have been completed thus far? Where does this primarily happen? Any pending software updates?

-Natasha

angelayosten

Hi there, I just got the new iPhone 16 last week and am having similar issues as above. I've turned the phone off, toggled between airplane mode, but the phone still won't let me receive calls. It's not on 'do not disturb' either. Can someone help me?

Agonza0512

Same issue. I even paid to get the phone replaced. Issue is still happening.

Xtinarbsn25

I literally have the same problem or I will legit lose service completely and it will only work on wifi. Thought it might of been my old phone and I ended up getting a new one which I needed anyways bc my screen had broke. My new phone worked for about a week and it is doing the same exact thing now. It's driving me crazy!

Verizon_Support

Let's get this resolved. Does this happen while being indoors only? Is the device free of damage?

~Geo

Verizon_Support

Having your phone working is always important. What does your signal normally show? Is this happening at specific locations or everywhere?

~Freddy

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