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iPhone 4 User Claims Proximity Sensor Fix May Not Work

By David W. Martin (10:03 am, Sep 03 2010)

iPhone 4 User Claims Proximity Sensor Fix May Not Work

On Tuesday this week an Apple spokesperson made claims that the upcoming release of iOS 4.1 will not fix the proximity sensor problems that are being blamed on software bugs, relocation of the proximity sensor due to the addition of the front facing camera, or greasy ear canals. This problem has been widely reported and there are numerous claims from iPhone 4 users that the problem exists. I’ve encountered the problem myself on my original iPhone 4 and its replacement.

On Wednesday this week at an Apple Special Event Steve Jobs told us that the release of iOS 4.1 will resolve the proximity sensor issue, but now one iPhone 4 user, Ryan Bell, is also claiming that iOS 4.1 does not resolve the issue. He presents two YouTube videos that demonstrate why he thinks that the problem isn’t resolved.

iPhone 4 Proximity Sensor, Fixed?

More iPhone 4 Proximity Sensor Data

Recreate the Second Test Yourself

If you want to recreate the test in the second video then download and install Apple’s iPhone Configuration Utility.

Once the utility is installed simply launch it and connect your iPhone 4 to your computer with the supplied USB cable. If you do not see your iPhone 4 listed under devices then add it if necessary using the icon in the applications toolbar. Once your iPhone is added click its entry under Devices and then click the Console tab for it.

You can now start using your iPhone 4 and you should see a copy of the phones console log displayed in the utility. You will see a variety of messages scroll past and a few of these will be easily recognized for what they mean while others will not. Regardless, it is interesting to see what’s going on inside your iPhone.

The following two entries from my iPhone 4 console log represent the proximity sensor turning the screen off and then on again.

Fri Sep  3 11:41:37 David-Martins-iPhone-4 SpringBoard[27] : MultitouchHID(20b010) uilock state: 0 -> 1
Fri Sep  3 11:41:43 David-Martins-iPhone-4 SpringBoard[27] : MultitouchHID(20b010) uilock state: 1 -> 0

Conclusion

We now have two claims that go against what Steve Jobs stated and one comes with visual evidence that you can recreate yourself with Apple’s iPhone Configuration Utility — so what’s the real story?

The answer to that question will present itself next week after Apple releases iOS 4.1 to millions of iPhone 4 users around the world. We suspect this will be on or around September 7th. I plan on spending plenty of time with my iPhone 4 screwed to my ear to give the proximity sensor a good workout and I’m hoping that the problem is resolved.

Are you using iOS 4.1 already? Tell us all about your experience with it by leaving a comment.

34 comments »

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About the author

dwmartin

David W. Martin has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as a programmer, systems and business analyst, author, and consultant. David has written for CNET's iPhoneatlas.com and MacLife.com he currently writes for CultofMac.com and BYTE.com. He comes to Cult of Mac's website with deep knowledge and passion for the all things Apple. Follow David on Twitter @david_w_martin.

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Posted in iOS, iPhone 4, News |

  • GoGo Bears

    thank you for posting the truth about this

  • JDS

    Interesting demo. I downloaded the utility and tried it and it was interesting to see what is going in there.

    I could NOT get my proximity sensor to misbehave. It behaved as advertised. I am assuming that it works for me.

    Learned something today.

    JDS

  • SEAN

    Clean your ears!!

  • John

    It ain’t looking good. On my fourth iP4, all have it. Launch day model was the worst. NO choice but to keep swapping till I get a “good one”… assuming there actually are any! Time to come clean on this, Steve… SUPER annoying.

  • Thomcarl

    If thine ear offends thee cut it off.

  • Peter

    Dropped 4 calls while talking and walking (Proximity Sensor).Dropped multiple business calls while driving (ATT Network) . Stopped at the Apple Genius Bar where they admitted a problem with the Sensor and said they didn’t know when it would be resolved. Solution: Drove to Verizon and moved ATT Phone number over to a Blackberry Bold. Haven’t dropped a call since. ATT and the iPhone were fun for a couple of years, but when you depend on your phone to run a business and make a living it’s not the best phone to have.

  • charli

    My question is whether Mr Bell is using a final release version or a beta of 4.1. It could make a difference.

  • Millah

    Here’s the thing, and here’s why I think this is all nonsense and will be fixed when a FINAL release is released for 4.1. The only time my proximity sensor EVER has issues is within the phone app, which is where admittedly probably 99% of people will notice the problem. However, that’s not the only app that uses it. I am T Pain actually will make use of it, when you record a song the display will shut off if the proximity sensor senses something.

    Having said that, in I Am TPain my proximity sensor works absolutely PERFECT. Just like it did on my 3GS. But when I use the phone app, I get some minor problems with it. Go ahead try yourself, see if there’s a difference.

    So I’m not convinced by any of this crap, and I’m sure the update will fix most problems.

  • http://www.cultofmac.com David Martin

    Milah: The Gold Master is the final release version of iOS 4.1 and is the final production version of the firmware that will be released to the public next week (probably on Tuesday).

    I don’t recall a time when Apple or even if Apple has ever not released a GM version publicly by supplying a version newer than the GM version at the last minute.

    Regardless we’ll know next week when Apple has a bunch of people using and testing iOS 4.1.

    - David Martin
    Cult of Mac

  • http://www.trueblueforever.com Alex

    Yesterday, I installed 4.1GM on my iPhone4. I made some tests and found new bug in Apple proximity algorithm. During a call, when the screen light off for the first time everything is ok. You can make natural hand or head movements with no problems at all. But if you let the screen to light on for a short time, the algorithm going back to its previous known stage ( iOS 4.x) and the sensor started to register every movements.

  • Steven

    Why would apple put that it does fix the sensor if it doesn’t. They would just have another person suing them.

  • George Arthur

    David,

    Although you are correct that Apple has not changed the build when a GM Seed has been issued to Developers, they HAVE changed things between the GM Seed and the version given to the public.

    For iOS 4.0, the GM Seed INCLUDED Game Center. The final version of iOS 4.0, although carrying the SAME BUILD NUMBER, had Game Center absent.

    So Apple can, and has made minor adjustments for whatever reason they see fit between the GM Seed and the version given to the public of iOS even if they carry the same exact build number.

  • Kavok

    I’ve had the iPhone 4 since June 29th, and have just upgraded to iOS 4.1. I never had any of the issues that people have been complaining about since I’ve owned the phone. Reception is great. Hardly ever drop a call now. Never had any problems with the proximity sensor either.

    Guess I’m the lucky one apparently. Love the phone. Best ever from Apple IMO.

  • http://www.cultofmac.com David Martin

    Hey George to much detail. I was focused on the fact that generally once Apple releases a GM I’ve never seen them change the GM release version OR build number before releasing the GM to the public. That was the topic I was replying to. I WASN’T worried about detailed changes between 4.0 and 4.1, but thanks for the reminder in case someone else missed those details. :-)

    The developer GM IOS is 4.1 build 8B117. I suspect that will be the same version released to the public next week, but we’ll see.

    David Martin
    Cult of Mac

  • http://getyourgadgetsgoing.com Tristan Thomas

    Look no matter what Apple does they will continue to dig their own grave. I mean it does have some great features but white or not the iPhone 4 has major design flaws. Design should never come before function and usability. Apple seems to have forgotten that.

    I mean the iPhone 4 held the number one spot in the top ten ranking on pc world. Once Apple gave that press conference they took it down with out explanation. However, http://getyourgadgetsgoing.com/ took a look into it. The results are rather interesting.

  • Tulisan

    I just had my iphone 4 upgraded to 4.1 GM and the same thing happens to me, proximity sensor is not fixed. I don’t need the iphone configuration utility since I can see the screen lights up at the bottom part of the iphone when I’m talking to someone. My ear usually hits the speaker phone tab.

  • Ryan

    IT IS NOT FIXED!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! I am so tired of this phone…Facetime and retina display and processor speed and all of that are just bogus trade-offs if the damned thing can’t even work as a phone. SO STUPID!!! Yet every time I try to bring it up in forums, it’s amazing how religiously fanboys defend their god. APPIC FAIL!! Check out my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPcQ-cYg8iA and tell me what YOU think…

  • Mark

    4.1 hasn’t fixed the proximity issue.. Simple as that, if anything it’s made mine worse.

    Steve Knobs.

  • Mike

    ARRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! NO proximity sensor fix yet?????
    I dub thee “Phoney”!!!!

  • Curvfun

    Second iphone 4 in 20 days, 4.1 code, proximity sensor still not fixed. I can see the screen light up with my peripheral vision. Sometimes I’m in speakerphone mode, sometimes it emits touch tones. If it would just work reliably as advertised…….., as a phone.

  • Mikeyevs

    Mine worked fine before updating to 4.1 now it won’t work at all.

  • Cim

    Still better than what they did to the 3Gs… iOS4 causes the phones to crashe (total reboot of the phone) during longer calls for a lot of us.

    iOS4 is bug ridden garbage. Apple should be able to do better.

    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2471090&tstart=0

  • Mark

    My iphone4 is virtually unusable as a phone after the 4.1 upgrade, maybe 2 calls out of every 20 calls aren’t affected by the proximity sensor and the erratic behavior it causes, the upgrade made it worse if anything.

  • Dan

    I just downloaded 4.1 to my phone which like many others has been plagued by problems with the proximity sensor. I have made several calls, some which were lengthy, and I have not had any problems. I had the phone resting on my shoulder for most of the calls because that is when the sensor seemed to fail the most. I am hoping that Apple has fixed the problem.

  • Gazoobee

    Flawed logic here when you say “we now have proof … (that it isn’t fixed).”

    The fact that the sensor goes off and on or the unlock state goes off and on is not “proof” that the issue isn’t fixed. Proof that the issue isn’t fixed requires:

    - users to have problems with calls.
    - the screen to actually turn off and on.

    All this guy has proven is that the software/firmware is reporting “events.” Until someone has a screen turning on by mistake (on a never-been-jailbroken phone), or someone dropping a call with their face, it’s meaningless data.

  • Hocador

    I just upgraded to 4.1 a couple of days ago. I never had the proximity sensor issue until the upgrade and now hardly make it through a 2 minute phone conversation without muting or hanging up. The upgrade didn’t fix the problem, it CAUSED the problem!!

  • http://powertuneplus.com Josh Straub

    I have the iPhone 4 and it came with 4.0.2. I never had the Proximity Sensor bug.

    Now I’ve updated to iOS 4.1. It CAUSED THE PROXIMITY SENSOR BUG – ON EVERY PHONE CALL NOW!!

    It’s very irritating! But refreshing to see comments above that confirm the same behavior. ***iPhone OS 4.1 CAUSES the proximity sensor bug instead of fixing it!!***

  • Mike

    Gazoobee – I’ve had daily problems (disconnected call, calls placed on hold, calls place on mute, phone attempting to dial a 2nd number during a phone call, etc.) since I’ve had the phone and these have not improved since I downloaded the new software. I’ve also done a soft and hard reboot and reset my settings. It’s gotten so bad that, unless I am using a headset or speaker phone, I cannot complete even the quickest of calls. So, is that enough info for you or do we still need more data to prove that it isn’t fixed – at least not for everyone? Personally, I’ll be returning mine to the Apple Store this weekend and swapping it out until I get one that works the way it’s supposed to.

  • Peter Penberthy

    Thanks for this article. I’ve changed my iP 4, installed 4.1 iOS AND STILL experience problems with proximity sensor (Mute button is activated … just as before!) I realy hope it will be resolved with iOS 4.2 … it’s embarrassing when iPhone cynics enjoy reminding me of the ongoing problem!!

  • John

    Just got my Iphone 4 with 4.1 in it and prox sensor still jacked up

  • John P

    The upgrade to 4.1 did not fix the problem…I constantly put calls on mute with my ear.

  • ray

    I am on my third Iphone 4 and have also upgraded. I am still putting people on mute, hold , facetime calling them, hanging up on them and all of the other wonderful things your cheek can do when hitting the buttons that are not locked out due to either faulty hardware and or software. I am going back to my Blackberry it is so infuriating. How can you screw this up so badly in addition to antenna issues.. arghh…

  • Tanya

    I’m having the problem, you mentioned, with my iPhone 4. I’m looking for a fix. Can any one help?

  • Bob Chambers

    I have the iphone running on 4.1 and definitely have the proximety fault. I like the iphone for what it is, but as a phone its a waste of space, a really cheap basic handset would run circles around the iphone. A proper fix would be good.