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“Normally the sensor detects when an iPhone is next to a person’s face, and shuts off the touchscreen to prevent people from accidentally tapping onscreen buttons,” MacNN explains. “In some cases the sensor is failing, potentially leading to interrupted calls.”
MacNN reports, “Apple is currently working on iOS 4.1, which could be released as soon as this week to support new iPods.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’ve been using 4.1 beta since the first release and we see no proximity sensor issues on our iPhone 4 units. Of course, we didn’t see any proximity sensor issues before moving to 4.1 beta, so fat lot of good we are on this one. Are you having issues with your iPhone 4’s proximity sensor?
I’ve had issues.
No issues, but, sadly, no iPhone 4 (yet) to report any issues. (meh)
Yeah, having proximity sensor issues with newest phone (have had all 4 versions; this is the only one I’ve had problems with). Basically muting calls but sometimes hanging up on people when holding the phone between my cheek and shoulder (i.e. no hands mode).
I experience the proximity issue, but not consistently.
I can see the light from the phone in the corner if my eye, when it is not working correctly, and I’ve learned to adjust the way I’m holding it when it happens.
On a couple ocassions, when I’ve let other people use my phone, they have managed to accidentally hit buttons, turning on speaker phone, etc.
I only ever really make or recieve calls with the headphones; thus even if I did have this problem I wouldn’t know about it.
Concurrently, this also goes for the whole antennae problem too.
Sorry… Corner of my eye.
Yep, still having some issues but not as bad when on 4.0 w/my iPhone 4.
I never had that problem on my 1st gen iPhone nor my 3GS even after I upgraded it to 4.0. I’m sure it’s associated with the gyroscope & the much more sensitive Retina display on the i4.
If I’m using it outdoors or in a situation where it’s very hot & I’m heavily prespiring it’s always tough but that was on all models not just the i4.
Ever since upgrading to 4. on my 3GS, I’ve had problems with pocket calls. This was NEVER an issue running 3.x.
I’ve had problems with iPhone 1, and now iPhone 4 with “face dialing”.
Only when I try to cradle the phone between neck and shoulder does it happen ..
My solution is to not cradle the phone.
I have had this issue since I bought my iPhone 4 a few weeks ago. I hope 4.1 fixes it. Only complaint I have about my iPhone.
I have had lots of proximity sensor issues with my iPhone 4. I “face dial” people too often and have muted the phone quite a few time. I am learning to keep some extra space between my face and the phone when talking.
Had a few.
@dyeworks
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Sound like the “death hug” – maybe your shoulder is too bony
It is disappointing when a feature that worked flawlessly in the past becomes flaky. A key aspect of quality management is to prevent backsliding. The good news is that this does not appear to be a universal problem. The bad news is that might point to a hardware/fabrication/assembly issue rather than a software fix, which would mean replacement iPhone 4’s. Want to bet that the media will make a huge stink if that happens?
For me the antenna thing (have that too) is inconsequential compared to the proximity flaw. I mean I love my iPh4, but I cannot make a call without one of the functions interrupting the conversation, usually the mute button. I’ve tried various ways of holding it and nothing helps. Never had that problem on any of the other three iPhones.
I’ve had this issue with two iPhone 4s. Apple replaced my first iPhone 4 because it was so bad. My new phone started having the same issue after three days. I did not have the problem with my 3G. I’m a loyal Apple customer, but if my first iPhone was the iPhone 4 and had this experience, I would honestly be pretty disappointed. I hope the fix comes soon.
Yes! Whenever I try to hold the phone with no hands by pinching it between my ear and shoulder I’m always accidentally ending the call or activating the key pad… Very annoying!
My wife is on her third iPhone (1stGen, 3G, and now iP4) and she has been wildly enthusiastic about the device…. except for this persistent Proximity Sensor issue in the iP4. It is driving her to almost exclusively use her Bluetooth headset because if she doesn’t, the failure of the sensor continues to interfere with her phone calls.
I’ve done a factory-settings restore, etc., with no improvement in the problem. In talking to Apple Store folks, there are definitely phones that don’t have this problem, so we are probably going to ask Apple to give us a new phone to try.
Yes, issues.
Yes. It sucks. If I ever try to put the phone on my shoulder and hold it with my ear to talk, I almost always end up hanging up or muting the call because the screen comes on. It drives me nuts. My 5 other coworkers are having the same problem. I hope they can fix it.
I constantly have proximity sensor issue with my iPhone 4. I try to use a headset to get around it.
I know 6 people who have iPhone 4 and 5 out of 6 have sensor problem including me.
No problem on my iPhone 4 with iOS 4.0.1 but am facing it on my 3G with iOS 4.0.1 installed
Yes, on occasion. iP4 with iOS 4.0.2
I have had problems with this since day 1. Most of the time I just use Skype to make calls so I can lock my phone w/o having to plug in headphones. If Apple would just allow us to lock that damn phone w/o having to use headphones or speaker it would not be a problem for me. As far as talking on the phone this proximity issue has made my phone worthless for talking! I really hope this is addressed and fixed, sadly I don’t think it can be, why else would Apple let several updates go by w/o addressing this problem!
I’m running the latest version of 4.1 beta and still have the proximitry sensor issue. Basically muting calls which is annoying for both parties. And my iPhone is naked and the antenna is fine
Yep, have a replacement iPhone 4 and it’s still a problem. I’ll be talking and all of a sudden people will say “Hello?” I look and I’ve muted the phone. Couple of hang ups but mostly mute. OH and numbers lots of beeps if they keypad gets hit with the cheek
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YES! I have cut off so many calls that it is no longer very funny?
WHY? If you are not experiencing the problem it is probably very difficult to appreciate the frustration of cutting calls because the proximity sensor is not closing the screen so leaving the end call button exposed.
Had it with my 3G only after upgrading to iOS4 and with my iPhone 4. In fact, it was replaced for an unrelated issue and the second one has it as well. I wish I could simply lock the phone once a call has been established, but that simply hangs up. My solution has been to initiate the call, hit the home button and switch to a different app. Then I can lock the phone and talk away without face dialing, hitting the speaker phone, etc.
It is an annoying problem and really embarrassing. I have “sold” a lot of iPhones to my friends and it is a tough pill to swallow when we get disconnected the the senor issue. Bring on the fix!
I’ve had calls pause when I’m on the phone…but only once in 1 week of use.
Lots of issues with my new iPhone 4. Never had any issues with my 3 previous iPhone models ….
I’ve had ongoing issues for a while now, but I’m using a Gen 1 with 3.1.3.
I had an iPhone 3G since day 1. Never an issue. I got an iPhone 4 also day one and I’m constantly putting people on hold, hanging up accidentally, etc. It’s totally anoying and I can’t believe they have not fixed it yet. It is the sole complaint (abet a big one) that I have on the iPhone 4.
Yep. Not consistent though. Antenna issue more of an issue that I’ve finally found a BT works reasonably well(so far) to avoid the proximity issue.
Ya’ll know you can lock the damn thing once you’ve started a call, right? Obviously having the proximity sensor functioning appropriately (hasn’t been a problem fro me) would be preferable but if I’m on a call that doesn’t require me to be tapping about I just lock the screen. I do this more when actually using my headset as I’ve inadvertently brushed the screen with my thumb when on a call and messed things up. Lock the screen and no problems.
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I keep activating the MUTE button by mistake all the time
No issues, iPhone 4 for three weeks now.
I’ve had issues with both my wife’s iPhone 4 and mine. She’s had more issues though mainly because she talks on the phone more. We’ve had every iPhone prior to 4 and never experienced these issues. Hanging up on people, putting them on mute, calling other people while on a call. Basically every button that shows on the screen when you make a call. The sensor is too sensitive, while on a call a lot of times I can see the screen come on out of the corner of my eye. Apple either needs to fix this or replace the phones having this issue as it’s probably the worst thing I’ve ever experience owning an iPhone.
Pre-Bumper I had proximity issue terminating calls. Post-Bumper I don’t seem to be terminating anymore, but I’m still inadvertently muting calls. The sensor is still definitely an issue
Yes… I have hung up on people, called others, added calls, muted the call, and a random assortment of other problems. It only seems to happen when you hold the phone at a slight angle to your ear (holding it with your shoulder)
Yes.
Btw mdn, I’m tired of your app not remembering my credentials when I want to comment.
major issues. Antennagate was a distraction…this issue is major
Yes, HUGE problems with the proximity sensor. Constantly putting people on hold! It’s really annoying at this point. I’m wondering if software will be able to fix the issue. May be a much larger problem for Apple.
I do. Mute or hold being unintentionally activated.
For those with a constant problem, stop whining, bring it back and get a replacement, slews of others are not having a problem..
I experience this issue. I love iPhones, but if this isn’t fixed by 4.1, I will have to take back my iPhone 4 and revert to the 3 gs. Everyone I know with 4 has experienced the problem.
I too am having a lot of problems with the sensor. Random hangups, Random going to speaker phone, Random muting. It is driving me nuts. I bet my Cheeks are too fat. Maybe we need to all go on a diet.
I had god awful proximity sensor issues. Whether I craddled it or just held it to my face it would do all sorts of things. Since I am an iphone developer I put 4.1 on my phone and voila all my troubles are gone.
I think this fix should have been pushed through cause it was nearly unbearable and I only installed 4.1 as the last possible option.
@Macinfo
This is not whining, this is a serious legitimate issue. I have used Apple products for over 20 years (I’ve never owned anything but a Mac), and this lack of quality is very un-Apple-like. If you’ll note the posts, many have already gotten replacement phones but the new phones have the same problem (including mine).
Yes. I have repeated problems with accidentally activating the “greeting” recording button with my ear as I am listening to my voicemails. This happens so often no matter how I hold my phone up to my ear that it can be difficult to listen to a message entirely to it’s conclusion. I have a reconditioned iPhone 3GS 32G using iOS 4.01. Wish these missteps weren’t so frequent. I gave my wife the top iPhone 4, and she still has not activated it. She’s debating about returning the gift, continuing to use her iPhone 3G, and waiting until the next half-generation iPhone comes out, presumably the end of this year. I imagine a number of loyal Mac and/or iPhone purchasers have adopted the same slow-to-adopt strategy regarding upgrading their iPhones since early this summer. So many performance hiccups. It seems a shame. It only hurts Apple’s rate of sales as well as dull the excitement which might pique their incentive to further innovate the iPhone 4G into some form of iPhone 5G.
Yes! I disabled facetime so it wouldn’t launch into it which changes to speakerphone. Now it will only accidentally mute.
I tend to use it in the left hand, and don’t remember it happening in the righ hand. I think it might be the way the sensor lines up with the ear canal on that side.
Also, I don’t understand why facetime isn’t disabled automatically when the phone doesn’t have a wifi connection. Why attempt to launch in the first place? (at least until it’s supported)
I have issues. The keypad keeps popping up and I hear MFTs while I talk. Some droped calls, too. Too bad, otherwise a great phone!
I have to say this is my only complaint about my iphone4. And it is a huge issue whenever I use the phone without Bluetooth. Fortunatley I make most my calls through my car’s hands free system.
I have proximity issues. iPhone 4. iOS version 4.0.2 (8A400).
Yes, driving me crazy have until the first to return on 30 day but what do I do then.
iP4 with iOS 4.0.2
Ozy
I’ve had MAJOR ISSUES with my proximity sensor on my iPhone 4. In addition to all the issues being mentioned (e.g. “face-dialing”), I’ve even go so far as to add a new contact full of random numbers and letters in the name field. This is the only part of my phone that I don’t like. Looking forward to the 4.1 fix.
I have an issue with the proximity sensor. Just an hour ago, I was on a call and the number 2 key was punched when I had the iPhone on my ear. It is not a gigantic problem but it should be fixed.
Yes, it tends to mute or go to speaker function while still pressed against my head.
@Macinfo,
“For those with a constant problem, stop whining, bring it back and get a replacement, slews of others are not having a problem..”
MDN’s question was, “Are you having issues with your iPhone 4’s proximity sensor?”
They asked, we answered. Stop being a self-righteous moron and move on to another post.
Idiot.
I’ve had proximity sensor issues with iOS4 and iOS4.1 beta.
Many of my friends are reporting proximity sensor issues as well.
Problems include hanging up while on a call, putting call on mute and speaker.
Yes I have had a lot of issues. Some times it acts like I am touching one of the number keys when I hold it against my face, sometimes it just turns off like I hit the “end call” button.
Rick
I’ve had a few issues with mine, it’s not a huge deal, buy it could possibly get annoying. I mainly put people on loud speaker all of a sudden
I am seeing proximity sensor issues everyday. My wife is too. It regularly interrupts calls. Let’s hope the fix it or it’s ear phones or Bluetooth to avoid the aggrevation.
I’ve had the problem but it’s not really a big deal. It’s just whatever for me.
I have returned 2 iphone 4’s because of the sensor. And wouldn’t you know the third one is doing the same thing. In the past 2 months I have 1. dialed numbers, 2. muted the call, 3. requested facetime, 4. conferenced my aunt in on a call with my wife, 5. changed my ringtone, 6. put others on hold, 7. abruptly ended calls, 8. browsed the web, 9. changed my audio source.
ALL WITH MY FACE DURING A CALL.
This needs to be fixed. I love the phone, but have now decided to use speakerphone for my calls. It is great for everything else, but this has to change.
Yep, I’ve had the problem… 🙁
Yes. Me and my business partner both have the problem.
Have five family members with iPhone 4s and not one is having sensor issues.
All you have to do is “Reset your Network Settings”‘ it worked for me.
I have the proximity issue. I end up hitting the mute button with my eat spontaneously. It’s very annoying. Haven’t dropped a call yet though.
YESSSSSSS!
and it’s pissing me off.
MW : JUSTICE
The proximity issues have been a total nightmare for me and EVERY single one of my friends with an iPhone 4. You put the phone anywhere hear skin while on a call and it’s a non-stop tirade of either BEEP BEEP BEEP, muting you, ending the call etc.
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I can’t believe Steve let this out like this. It’s a disgrace! (But everything else is wonderful)
People guess that the mono ringtones are available in the ringtone providers and it’s truth.
I can always reproduce the issue by holding iPhone 4 with my shoulder. From what I’ve read here, iOS 4.1 doesn’t fix it. Glad they allow 30-days returns for full refund. It’s going back to the store.
I have had the same issues with my iPhone screen even after the screen repair. I am very upset that Apple has not completed it’s normal level of R&D on the iPhone 4. I went back to my 3GS because this screen problem was bothering me so much. Thank goodness I went to http://www.iphone3gscreenrepair to get my iPhone 3GS repaired, or else I would just have to live with my phone making calls and going to speaker phone at random times.
On 4.1, mute issue is still there 🙁
On my 4th iPhone and it still does not work, I have all the problems described by others on every call without exception. I am going to Blackberry or Android and I recommend everyone else does also. This really pisses me off and I love everything Apple so it pains me to have to give up my iPhone but problems are intolerable and I have tried every remedy with no solution.