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iPhone 5 Dropping Calls

I've been with Verizon for roughly 13 years now. Through numerous phones, I've always had great service - reliable, good signal, MAYBE 2 dropped calls in all those years. I recently exchanged my old flip phone for an iPhone 5. For the most part, I'm greatly enjoying the phone. Except . . . it's dropping calls like crazy. In fact, a couple of days ago, it dropped 9 times in a single phone conversation (I was ready to just drive to my friend's house rather than continue.) I haven't had any issues with internet, e-mail or anything else, just phone calls. However, considering this is a phone, that's a HUGE issue and extremely frustrating.

When the call drops, I can call the person back right away, but again - frustrating!
Any suggestions (aside from switching back to a more traditional phone? Which I am about ready to do.)

Comments

Verizon_Support

We want you to enjoy the most reliable performance from your new device gvill! What is your zip code? Have you tested the device in multiple areas? Do you power cycle it daily? This is important with a 4G device. In addition, all devices are designed equally in terms of signal strength and reception; however, each device may respond differently in a specific location.

JonathanK_VZW

VZW Support

Follow Us on Twitter@VZWSupport

kypata

I have the same problems inside my home. It has progressively gotten worse over the past very months. I have coverage everywhere but home and this is my primary phone so I need to be able to make calls. I haven't had any issues receiving texts. My son's iPhone 4s can be right next to mine and have 3 bars and mine will only have 1 bar.

I have been told by the Technical Team that the coverage in my area is weak - wonder what changed as it did not used to be an issue. Until recently I could talk inside my home. I think they are trying to sell Network Extenders but I have no intention of purchasing one. Looks like I need a new carrier - I've been with Verizon for 10 years probably.

Verizon_Support

Thank you for reaching out, kypata. We would be heartbroken to lose you! Is the signal fluctuating in your home or is it consistently weak? Are incoming calls going right to voice mail? Many factors can affect reception in your home that may be beyond our control however I would be happy to continue troubleshooting.

Thank you,

YaleK_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWsupport

Sunlover82

I have been having and my wife also. We both have an iphone 5, mine is the 32gb hers is the 16 gb. I have contacted tech service with no help. We've had verizon for aprox 10 years. We've had service at our home not the best but never had problems with dropped calls or cutting in and out till maybe 6 months ago. Our son has a iPhone 4S with no problems and our daughter has a droid bionic with no problems. We are getting very frustrated, we have few problems anywhere else but at home. We've even had problems Outside at home keep in mind we have had verizon for years without problems but now we can't continue to pay premium prices for substandard service. As for a verizon network extender I'll try one if it's provided by verizon but I will not buy one, it's not like we just moved to a new house we've lived here for 27 years and our phones worked here for years. Our zip code is 24210. I also work at 24202 and I also experience dropped calls there as never before with verizon. Verizon has problems and either not admitting it or they are blind. Just google verizon iphone 5 dropped calls you'll see Lots of people with similar problems.

WE NEED HELP!!!!!

Sunlover82

My wife and I have been having the same problems!!!

Manniesadie

I have had several dropped calls in the past 2 weeks. I have never had this problem. It is only occurring in my home. I have noticed on occasion the phone is switching randomly to extended network. The phone is in LTE until I connect to a phone call and it switches to 1x......Please help!

Verizon_Support

Hey there Manniesadie,

I'm sorry to hear about the dropped calls you have been experiencing. Let's get those picked up.

What zip code are you experiencing these issues in? Do the problems primarily occur indoors? The phone switching from LTE to 1x on while on a call is normal since the iPhone is not able to use data while talking on the phone.

Please provide additional details so I can better assist.

NicholasB_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

rwalker1

LISTEN, HERE IS THE TRUTH

You can not fix this problem. The problem is the the antenna in the Iphone 5 does not work well with the metals that are in your home. Apple and Verizon will not be any help with this because they know the only way to fix the phone is to not use an Iphone 5, which would kill sales.

I have had this same problem for months. I run a business from my iphone 5 and i get like 10 or more dropped calls a day. Even if you were to switch over to the Iphone 5S you would get the same problem.

My only solution to you would be to get an Android phone, or to try the Iphone 5C which is in what appears to be a hard plastic casing. I just purchased this phone through sprint yesterday and currently testing to see if i have any dropped calls. So far I have had none. If this problem continues to exist, I am going to switch over to Android unfortunately. My wife has A Samsung Galaxy 3 and has no dropped calls with it (verizon), others that come to our home with Android Verizon have no dropped calls.

It is 100% the Antenna inside the Iphone which is weak when its under a home full of metal. I can be reached at >>removed<< if you have questions or comments.

>> Personal information removed to comply with the <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

Verizon_Support

I know its frustrating to run a business and have phone issues RodneyWalkerInc(dot)com . I'm sorry you're having so many problems. We stand behind our network and want you to know you're with the best because we strive to give the best coverage outside your home or building. We are unable to guarantee service inside and different phones my work differently inside depending on the connection to the network. How is service when your outside? If you had service with your iPhone 5 previously and then suddenly started to drop calls, we can do trouble-shooting. For instance, try resetting the network settins periodically http://vz.to/1dtBgcR. We can also look into replacing the device. Have you been through any of the steps above? We no longer have email option as a way to correspond with us but you can correspond here, Twitter, FAcebook, chat or by phone.

KinquanaH_VZW

follow us on twitter @vzwsupport

talisabush

I've had MANY dropped calls since switching to the 5s, mostly inside my home. Signal and service was never an issue for before the 5s, thought I was the only one with these issues. Tried the rebooting/powering down, nothing works, hate the idea of switching to a different phone, but it's looking like this May be my next step.

Verizon_Support

Dropped calls can be very frustrating, Sunlover82. The bizarre part is that it started after the purchase of the 5s. Are you having problems with any other services inside your home? Messages or data? Did you try resetting your Network Settings? Have we completed any troubleshooting? Please provide me with a few more details.

ChaunceyM_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

maryshome8

I have had the iphone 5 for several months and everything has worked perfectly. I live in the 37601 zip code. I woke up this morning and every call I make drops or when I call, there is silence. I have changed NOTHING. This is my only phone, so I have to wait until tomorrow to get it fixed. It has happened very often when I go to another state (in a large city where Verizon has a huge presence). I have power cycled it, reset network settings. You would think that there would be a way to troubleshoot the device online, but there isn't. I have tried for two hours to search on this website to see if there was a problem with a tower in my area and every time I click on the link, it sends me someplace else.

Internet, wifi, text is fine...it's just the calls. I have tried them calling me, me calling them, etc..nothing helps. I cannot even call tech support b/c they rerouted me to another number that I cannot dial.

It would be nice if there was step by step INSTRUCTIONAL help instead of "We are really sorry this is happening to you..please call customer service". NOBODY likes to go into the Verizon store at Christmas time because you mine as well pack for two days of food and a drink because that is how long you will be there. 99% of the time they can't fix your problem anyway.

sfme

I am having the same problem. My iPhone 4s worked perfectly for 2 and a half years and now I'm sorry I upgraded to the 5s. The 5s worked perfectly for the six weeks I used it -- until I took a trip. When I came back it dropped calls like mad. Now Verizon wants to sell me a 'booster' that will increase the signal so they say. It doesn't seem logical to me since the signal was perfect for so long. And no one else has reported a problem in my area. Sounds like something is wrong with the phone which I bought from Verizon. Would love to know any resolution to the problem.

Verizon_Support

sfme,

This is definitely out of the ordinary since the signal worked prior to the trip. We would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. If I was in your shoes, i'd be frustrated with repeated dropped calls. Does this primarily happen indoors and what zipcode is your area? Thank you for your patience.

WiltonA_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

mjmitchmitch

I'm having a similar problem. I've had the iphone 5 for around a year and a half, with no problems. On Monday, 1/27/14, as I was driving through town on my normal route, my call started breaking up and then I got a message that said "call failed". This happened probably 10 times on Monday, and another 10 or so on Tuesday. The one call I tried to make today (Wed), the same thing happened again, so I'm limited to texting at this point.

My zip code is 28056 and this happens when I'm driving around town--in the normal coverage range where I've lived for years. Please help!

falconrn

My phone started dropping calls a week ago between Venice fl and Sarasota fl...talked to customer service this am after 6drops....continued this afternoon. Before this I have rarely had a dropped call....what's. Going on???

dsbell

I too have been having this issue in my office. I literally cannot get through a full phone call to talk to customer service at Verizon or to schedule a doctor's appointment. I just called my doctor three times, and each time I'd be close to getting my appointment, then the call would drop and I would have to start over again. I never, ever had this problem in my 11 years with Verizon, only since I bought my iPhone5s last month. In one month, I would say I've lost 20 to 30 calls while at my office. In the 11 years prior, I might have lost 10 ever, so one a year, now it's like one a day.

Rhondamm

Within the past 3 months, I've started having dropped calls constantly, but only when I'm in my house. My kids have no trouble using their 4s, but my 5 drops them consistently and when I am able to talk with someone, it cuts in and out so much, the person I'm talking to can't understand me. I've never had an issue before. It works fine away from my house.

It is frustrating when I pay as much as I pay for cell service and I have to stand outside in the cold to make a call. I've been talking with a lot of doctors recently because of a health issue my daughter has been having and the call will drop in the middle of a conversation with a doctor and they are VERY hard to get back on the phone.

Again, 4s works fine. Text, email, internet works fine. Only dropping calls inside my house and when I am able to keep a call it cuts in and out.

Please help!

Dischordia

I just got an iPhone 5c and I've had it for about 6 weeks. The first month was great, but now for the last couple of weeks, it's been dropping calls like crazy. I can have between 1 and 4 bars of signal strength when it happens. It happens in various locations: home or in my car. There seems to be no determining factor. And it's so strange that it just started so suddenly.

Verizon_Support

Hello Dischordia

I'm sorry to hear your having trouble with dropped calls. Let's look into this. What zip are you in? Did this start after an app was downloaded? Try this and retest: http://vz.to/1oUnxMy

JoeL_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Dr_Porcupine

I am having the same problem as well. I had an iPhone 4s for two years with no issues except for loss of signal in two specific areas during my daily commute. I changed to the iPhone 5s and I have experienced terrible problems with dropped calls in multiple locations. The phone worked fine for about 3 or 4 weeks, but then it began to drop calls like crazy. I took my phone back to Verizon several times and they tried various things to solve the problem. Finally, they told me to take it to the Apple Store and they ran a diagnostic on it. The Apple folks said that the number of dropped calls was completely unacceptable and they were unsure why I was having the problems, so they replaced it with a new phone under the warranty. That phone worked fine for a month or so and this one is now experiencing similar problems with dropped calls. As another person stated above, I too see my network connection drastically shift from LTE to 1x service. At one point, I was in the Verizon store and the employee stared at the screen with a look of confusion as the signal showed 1-2 bars in 1x in an area that is well within an LTE area. I still have my old iPhone 4s and in the same spot, it will have full 3G signal, and my 5s will have 1 or 2 bars at best, and may also be in 1x mode. My research on this issue and the comments of the Apple Store employees leads me to believe there is a problem with the Verizon network settings and how the phone communicates with the cell towers. I have read comments online from people who have had similar issues and their only solution was to turn off the LTE service, thus leaving the phone in 3G mode. I have not tried this, and don't think I should, but I may have no other choice. Verizon does not want to admit this problem exists because they don't have a solution.

Verizon_Support

I'm sorry to hear about the problems encountered with your phone, Dr_Porcupine. Dropped calls are no fun and we'll do all we can to get this resolved. Please give this a try and see if this works...http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/devices/knowledge_base.html/84756 Keep me posted.

ChaunceyM_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

JANTP

I am sure you know that this issue has not been resolved. I had my phone since December (iPhone5s) and it started dropping calls about two months ago. I was talked into the network extender as it doesn't drop the calls elsewhere. I've had Verizon for over 14 years and never had this problem before. The first network extender failed and I've received a replacement. However, my calls are still being dropped. I was told Verizon might have changed towers, but from the complaints I've heard here, that is not the problem. What is Verizon going to do about this? We all should be given phones that work without charge.

eah3233

I second this. Me and another person....same issues. One a 5s and one a 5c. 15656

Verizon_Support

eah3233,

I am sorry to hear of the issues you are having with dropped calls. I see that your area may have network opportunities. Do you notice dropped calls everywhere you go? Did you have issues with service prior to the iPhones? Do you have issues indoors/out?

LindseyT_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Dr_Porcupine

eah3233 has had the same experience as I have had. My iPhone 5s has continued to drop calls at random times and lose signal in random places where I have never experienced such a problem, nor should there be such a problem on the Verizon network. Yesterday I was sitting in a location and I had one bar of 3G signal on the iPhone 5s while my iPad Air had 3 bars of LTE signal. In the past few days, my phone completely dropped signal on I-75 just a mile or two north of Knoxville, TN (where I live) and it lost signal for several minutes as I drove through Maynardville, TN, which has never happened before.

To the best of my estimation, it seems that this problem has something to do with the ability of the iPhone 5s to manage the signal in areas where there is weak LTE coverage. I base this partly on my review of coverage maps and also a couple of internet posts about the issue where people suggested that they did not experience the issue when they turned off the LTE feature on their iPhone 5s. I have not tried it yet - nor should I have to - but this would help explain why none of us had these problems with the iPhone 4s. Either way, my gut is telling me this is an issue with the SIM card and/or the programming of the network settings, which Verizon is unwilling to pay much attention to.

With all due respect to the Verizon support people who reply here, they are not in a position to do anything about it, nor do they particularly care. If you notice, each reply here is from a different customer service rep who posts a similar "we take dropped calls very seriously" script, and there is no other meaningful follow-up. I can say I have not been contacted by Verizon at all about this and my prediction is that my post here will be met with a post something to the effect of, "Dr. Porcupine, I'm sorry you're still having problems with your phone..."

eah3233

"...nor do they really care." The responses I received essentially insinuated that I should have done more phone research before buying this phone.

Dr_Porcupine

In fairness to the people who reply to these comments, their system is not set up for those people to care. I strongly suspect these are entry level hourly workers who are tasked with responding to as many of these as they can during their shift, so there's no way for the same person to reply to the same commenters over time and are thus not held responsible for nothing being done. All that said...

I am strongly convinced this is a Verizon network problem and not an iPhone 5s problem.

eah3233

I think it's a combination. There are areas where the signal was not as strong even with other phones, but the call didn't drop. Now, with the 5, they drop. Every time.

BigKitty

I seem to remember the cause was were they located the atenna at best buy you can purchase an internal antenna that stops this problem in its tract.

warrent

I am trying to help a user out who is experiencing this same problem. I've been researching this for a few days and the problem seems to be occurring over many different carriers and not just Verizon.

I've seen it suggested that this is do to a design flaw in the iPhone 5s. It is claimed there is an issue of where an internal antenna is placed and the material used on the back of the phone cover. I cannot validate if this is for sure the reason.

However the problem could equally be a problem with the OS.

With what I see it is not only happening with Verizon. I would try dealing with Apple tech support. Verizon literally can't do anything for you. They could replace the phone, but it is likely the problem would occur again at some point. I almost feel bad for Verizon tech support having to deal with a problem caused by Apple.

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