Apple Ships iPhone 4.0.1 Update With New Reception Formula

Leander Kahney ()

Apple Ships iPhone 4.0.1 Update With New Reception Formula

Apple has just issued the 4.0.1 iOS update, which includes a new formula for displaying reception bars.

The update includes a new signal strength algorithm, which is Apple’s answer to the iPhone 4 death grip issue. It doesn’t appear to improve reception strength, just the way it is displayed. According to Apple, the iOS used an old, outdated algorithm that incorrectly calculated signal strength, a problem that was exacerbated when user’s cover the external antenna.

The update fixes this problem, and is available for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G. It can be downloaded through iTunes when the device is connected via USB. (Hit the “Check for Updates” button).

The update can also be downloaded here:

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17 comments »

About the author

Leander Kahney

is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

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Posted in Apple, iPhone, News |

  • Luke

    I thought it was 4.1? I know it seems trivial now but there is a big difference between a .1 release and a .01 release. Does this still have the updated game centre, or is that coming in 4.1?

  • Mike

    @Luke 4.1 is a separate release, coming in a few weeks, that’ll bring Game Center and other updates. 4.0.1 is just a small bugfix update.

  • Lynch

    i used to have 4-5 bars in my home with my 3gs, now i have 2-4

  • Lynch

    Sometimes even one. I obv prefer the old thing due to confidence, but you know. Whatever. It’s a very good thing that they changed the size, I can now recognize one bar

  • Don

    Where I used to have 1 small bar (in my office), I now have “No Service”

  • Thao

    I myself hate the new bar size. It’s ugly.

  • Don

    After reboot, now I am back to 1 (taller) bar).

  • Lynch

    the new bar size i think looks jagged and strange, but im sure the old onne will be weird soon

  • sab

    any clue if this fixes something on the iPhone 3G ??

  • gabriel s

    -i made my 3G feel a bit snappier.. not like 3.1 but way better than 4.0

  • Paddle

    I agree my 3G seems much snappier. I seem to get less strange pauses than before when using safari.

  • Fab

    Anyone experiencing sound issues? when i updated my phone to 4.0.1.. my phone has very low volume when im using a headset..

  • bob

    I use to blame the person I was talking to for the dropped calls as I always would have 1+ bars, that was until the 4.0.1 download. I guess the problem was my Iphone 3GS. I apologize to all that I blamed for your phone or carrier for dropping the calls.

  • Dan

    I also have a 3GS that had full reception. After updating to 4.01 handset only shows 1 bar. No call drop outs but seems to be an issue with this “fix”

  • Tal

    I just upgraded my 3GS to the latest OS and now my internet doesn’t work! It was working before the upgrade. Not sure what I can do, I did turn it off and on. Should I restore default settings?

  • xLL

    This update is fucked up. It made my phone slow and I now only have 2 bars versus 5. How can this phone have been off by 3 bars? This fix is not right for what Apple trying to accomplish. Please don’t update if you have not done so!

  • Yaseen

    Guys. Please do not upgrade to 4.0.1 it will reduce the signal strength.