ResetNetworkSettings
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iPhone network settings take 2. Will it fix the proximity sensor bug?
We were surprised and gratified at how many of our readers were able to improve iPhone 4 reception (or at least there were more bars) by resetting network settings. Now it appears people are using the same technique to fix the sometimes buggy proximity sensor that is supposed to turn the screen light off when the phone is near your head for making a call. A chorus of users are reporting the issue, saying the screen does not turn off and they wind up muting calls and even hanging up on people inadvertently. Apple support boards are now filling up with reports from people who say that our old friend 'reset network settings' will often fix the issue. Others have said a hard reset of the phone (hold down the sleep and home button until the white Apple logo appears) has a similar effect, and of course some say it doesn't help at all. If you do reset your network settings, you'll lose any Wi-Fi or network passwords. The hard re-boot of the phone will leave everything in place and should have no ill effects. You can find the network reset software switch towards the bottom of iPhone Settings > General. My, those network resets seem to fix some bugs that are frustrating iPhone 4 owners. I wonder if it will take care of my allergies? As always, let us know if these solutions work for you, or if they don't.
iPhone cellular data not working? Try resetting your network settings
The "Reset Network Settings" button on the iPhone not only resets your Wi-Fi settings -- resulting in a clean slate with respect to Wi-Fi access points and their passwords -- it also resets your phone carrier settings. Several months back, I had the darndest trouble with cellular data access. I could place and receive calls, but couldn't get cellular data access no matter what I did. I tried going into and out of airplane mode, turning the phone on and off, and resetting it, all with no luck. So I decided to call AT&T. Apparently, one of the cell phone towers near my office was having trouble and fell out of and back into commission. And although the tower was back up and running, my iPhone was stuck in cellular data purgatory. AT&T support suggested that resetting the network settings on the device would likely resolve the issue: and it did. Resetting network settings has also helped me resolve an issue I was having with Visual Voicemail on another occasion. To reset your iPhone's network settings, tap your way to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. With great power also comes great annoyances, like having to reconnect to previously remembered access points and having to re-enter passwords.
