Returning an iphone - home button issue.

barryd09

I have an iphone which is still under warranty and theres an issue with the home button.

Its become unresponsive & damn annoying....BUT not all the time.
Sometimes its fine then other times it needs 5-6 presses to use it.
Now, i know the procedure for returning stuff to apple but my question is if i take a replacement phone from them, they take the deposit & cant replicate the fault or dont spend very long testing it, where does that leave me & the replacement phone?

Do they request the replacement back and return the current phone? Or what will happen? There is definetly a home button fault but as i said its not all of the time.

Dades

If you return the phone I very much doubt they will return you the same phone even if they can't immediately replicate the problem.

The policy is generally to send you out a new phone where there is any kind of the hardware issue. They may fix it of course, and send it back, but they will do something.

The home button issue is a well documented one. My own iPhone 4 was virtually unusable a couple of weeks ago - so much so that I started using the virtual home button in the accessibility options (see here!) Then all of a sudden the button started working again with no problems whatsoever.

It seems sometimes it's a hardware issue - but obviously not all the time.

I was out of warranty though - if I was you - I'd send her off to Apple.

barryd09

Dades wrote: »

If you return the phone I very much doubt they will return you the same phone even if they can't immediately replicate the problem.

The policy is generally to send you out a new phone where there is any kind of the hardware issue. They may fix it of course, and send it back, but they will do something.

The home button issue is a well documented one. My own iPhone 4 was virtually unusable a couple of weeks ago - so much so that I started using the virtual home button in the accessibility options (see here!) Then all of a sudden the button started working again with no problems whatsoever.

It seems sometimes it's a hardware issue - but obviously not all the time.

I was out of warranty though - if I was you - I'd send her off to Apple.

Ya i'll get it sent off sooner rather than later i think.
My question is really about the replacement i'll be paying for (€29 is it?) & leaving the deposit (€500+) for. We'll say for arguments sake that they cant replicate the problem & have sent me a replacement, will they want the replacement back to release my deposit? Or is it a case where what i receive from them is mine regardless aslong as i send the broken one back?

Not sure if im making much sense here...

Jev/N

They'll want the replacement back if they can't replicate the problem. If they don't get it back or if you damage it (water/accidental), they'll charge you for the phone

barryd09

Ok I thought that alright. But as my phone is still under warranty, they'll still at least fix it?

guil

I think you're over complicating things op. if you send it back they still have a working iPhone. When you set up the repair just mention that it doesn't happen all the time and I'm sure as soon as apple receive your iPhone back they will release the deposit

Dades

You won't be out of pocket whatever happens.

They'll at least fix your iPhone and possibly give you a new one.

I've had two iPhones replaced under warranty and although they required my credit card details neither cost a penny to replace as Apple collected the old one and delivered the new one.

barryd09

The virtual home button/gesture function is brilliant,never knew about that. Cheers,it'll get me by in the meantime.

Gumbo

i sent my iphone back a few months ago because of the home button issue.
they sent me a brand new phone.
sent it on the thursday, and had the new on exactly a week later on the thursday morning.

one thing to note, dont send them your sim, or earphones etc etc as you will get a phone back without any of the accessaries.

Spiritofthekop

kceire wrote: »

i sent my iphone back a few months ago because of the home button issue.
they sent me a brand new phone.
sent it on the thursday, and had the new on exactly a week later on the thursday morning.

one thing to note, dont send them your sim, or earphones etc etc as you will get a phone back without any of the accessaries.

Where do you send it to? How do you check if your phone is in warrenty or not?

Thanks.

guil

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

Where do you send it to? How do you check if your phone is in warrenty or not?

Thanks.

start off here
http://www.apple.com/ie/support/iphone/contact/

sent mine back on a monday and got a new one by friday

aidan_walsh

If you're doing the self setup there will be a box along the way where you can explain that it is an intermittent issue and the repair team will know that they might not be able to replicate it immediately.

Spiritofthekop

guil wrote: »

start off here
http://www.apple.com/ie/support/iphone/contact/

sent mine back on a monday and got a new one by friday

Thanks buddy!

wilford

I've had the same issue with my home button,2 months left on warranty,the button would be fine some days but other days it could take 10 hits to close an app,just make sure you do your back up before you sent it off and restore it original settings if your jailbroken,started repair process on wednesday morning,bag from apple arrived friday,picked up by u.p.s at 2 on friday and recieved a new one on wedsnesday morning by u.p.s again,I was really impressed with their service only gripe I would have is the new one only has the 2 months warranty that was left on my original but on the up side the "new" iphone is unlocked to all networks.

Jev/N

wilford wrote: »

only gripe I would have is the new one only has the 2 months warranty that was left on my original but on the up side the "new" iphone is unlocked to all networks.

In fairness, that's a small gripe - you hardly expected to get a brand new warranty with the replacement!?

aidan_walsh

wilford wrote: »

I've had the same issue with my home button,2 months left on warranty,the button would be fine some days but other days it could take 10 hits to close an app,just make sure you do your back up before you sent it off and restore it original settings if your jailbroken,started repair process on wednesday morning,bag from apple arrived friday,picked up by u.p.s at 2 on friday and recieved a new one on wedsnesday morning by u.p.s again,I was really impressed with their service only gripe I would have is the new one only has the 2 months warranty that was left on my original but on the up side the "new" iphone is unlocked to all networks.

Actually, you have a little more. They'll give you either the remainder of your original 1 year warranty or APP (if you bought it) or a 90 service guarantee, whichever is longer. If an issue arises in that 90 days, it will be as if you were still under full warranty.

copacetic

Wd40 is worth a try to resolve this issue, I have a link somewhere.


Edit - http://www.subtraction.com/2012/01/10/the-miracle-of-wd-40

CathalDublin

copacetic wrote: »

Wd40 is worth a try to resolve this issue, I have a link somewhere.


Edit - http://www.subtraction.com/2012/01/10/the-miracle-of-wd-40

I'd recommend switch cleaner over wd40 anyday.
available in maplins, don't spray too much as you don't want liquid marks on the LCD

Spiritofthekop

Thanks for all your helps lads.

Just one more question, the box arrived today from UPS so I can return phone to them to fix home button.

There are no forms or anything to fill out so they no its my phone and address and details?? ...Just a box and A UPS bag.

Did anyone leave a note in with it with all your details etc etc when returning it just in case it gets lost or they mix it up?

tigershould

i have home button issues with my iphone 4 every now and again, i find a short sharp wack on the bottom of the phone clears it everytime. i reckon its dust or some moving part that is not connecting - it just needs a gentle reminder :P

Dades

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

Did anyone leave a note in with it with all your details etc etc when returning it just in case it gets lost or they mix it up?

The phone has an IMEI number which will identify it as your phone from Apple's records. The UPS bag probably has a reference number too to say where is was delivered to/sent from.

Coincidentally my homebutton started acting the bollox again this morning so I'm back with the virtual home button until it (hopefully) fixes itself again. :pac:

d93c2inhxfok4y

Guys,

Don't want to hijack the thread but don't want to clog up the board with a new one either, but the sleep/turn off button on the top right of my iPhone 4 broke today. It's sunken into the phone, doesn't click, and is unresponsive. The phone is in perfect condition, and I've had it since the 24th February 2011. So thankfully it's 348 days into a 365 day warranty! I'm hoping Apple will replace it.

I was just wondering what the process is with returns? I'm right in Dublin City Centre - can I bring it over to CompuB on Grafton St., or do they not deal with this kind of thing as they're only an "authorized reseller"? If they don't do I have to do the UPS send away/pickup thing to get it assessed/replaced?

Also wondering about how I'd go about backing up my entire phone (not just music/videos, but contacts/photos/messages etc.) as well as what I'd do without a phone for however long it took!

barryd09

Adrian Raspy Spacecraft wrote: »

Guys,

Don't want to hijack the thread but don't want to clog up the board with a new one either, but the sleep/turn off button on the top right of my iPhone 4 broke today. It's sunken into the phone, doesn't click, and is unresponsive. The phone is in perfect condition, and I've had it since the 24th February 2011. So thankfully it's 348 days into a 365 day warranty! I'm hoping Apple will replace it.

I was just wondering what the process is with returns? I'm right in Dublin City Centre - can I bring it over to CompuB on Grafton St., or do they not deal with this kind of thing as they're only an "authorized reseller"? If they don't do I have to do the UPS send away/pickup thing to get it assessed/replaced?

Also wondering about how I'd go about backing up my entire phone (not just music/videos, but contacts/photos/messages etc.) as well as what I'd do without a phone for however long it took!

sync your phone to your itunes account on your computer,everything will be saved to that,when you get your replacement phone,plug that in and it will put all that info onto the replacement by syncing it.
you'll essentially have the same phone again,it will save all your settings,photos etc etc.

compu b wont take your iphone back,only apple will.contact them and speak to someone there,they will send the nice ups man/woman out to pick it up and they'll return a new/refurbished phone to you in a few days.
or if you cant do without it,tell them on the phone you want to pay the €28 and the nice ups man/woman will bring the replacement with them when they collect yours,instead of waiting on a replacement to be sent back to you.

guil

Just to be sure everything is backed up right click the iPhone in iTunes and click backup then when you get the replacement restore it from a backup and pick the most recent one. Everything will be exactly the same as it is now

barryd09

Just to let people know - I have filled in my details on apples support page regarding my original post ( the unresponsive home button issue) and there is an option on the support page for a call back from apple support, i didnt know this existed tbh but also it saves me from calling them & also gives me the option to speak to them and request a replacement phone at a cost of €28 as i cant go without a phone for a few days.
If im right i dont think theres any other way of requesting the replacement phone (at a charge) immediatley without speaking to them directly?
Handy.

Spiritofthekop

barryd09 wrote: »

Just to let people know - I have filled in my details on apples support page regarding my original post ( the unresponsive home button issue) and there is an option on the support page for a call back from apple support, i didnt know this existed tbh but also it saves me from calling them & also gives me the option to speak to them and request a replacement phone at a cost of €28 as i cant go without a phone for a few days.
If im right i dont think theres any other way of requesting the replacement phone (at a charge) immediatley without speaking to them directly?
Handy.

They also take a €450 deposit of your credit card (if you have one) until the broken home button phone is sent back.

You lose that money if the broken home button phone does not get to them i think.

No thanks, I'll wait the 4 days for my new phone and use a nokia while I wait.

barryd09

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

They also take a €450 deposit of your credit card (if you have one) until the broken home button phone is sent back.

You lose that money if the broken home button phone does not get to them i think.

No thanks, I'll wait the 4 days for my new phone and use a nokia while I wait.

Yup,Im aware of that. I have 10 days to return the phone with the issue.
Have to say its a quality service,companies could learn a lot from apples support.
The phonecall didnt cost me a cent either,arranged a time for a call before midday today for 12.15 today and they rang at about 12.20.

Spiritofthekop

barryd09 wrote: »

Yup,Im aware of that. I have 10 days to return the phone with the issue.
Have to say its a quality service,companies could learn a lot from apples support.
The phonecall didnt cost me a cent either,arranged a time for a call before midday today for 12.15 today and they rang at about 12.20.

I agree best customer service I have EVER dealt with.

Puts Ireland's "customer service" to shame but that would not be hard.

whiterebel

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

They also take a €450 deposit of your credit card (if you have one) until the broken home button phone is sent back.

You lose that money if the broken home button phone does not get to them i think.

No thanks, I'll wait the 4 days for my new phone and use a nokia while I wait.

Once you get a signature for it from UPS, its not your problem, its between UPS and Apple.

Dades

Dades wrote: »

Coincidentally my homebutton started acting the bollox again this morning so I'm back with the virtual home button until it (hopefully) fixes itself again. :pac:

Annnd after two days - it's back working.

Lucky you OP to be in warranty!

Spiritofthekop

Dades wrote: »

Annnd after two days - it's back working.

Lucky you OP to be in warranty!

FM mobiles on Campden Street fix the home button in 1 hour for €40.

They do a proper job as well, ask for a guy called Brian.

*sorry FM Mobiles

barryd09

Dades wrote: »

Annnd after two days - it's back working.

Lucky you OP to be in warranty!

Aaaand as i suspected,the phone i have with the issue has been working perfectly for the last few hours. I just feckin knew this would happen. Ah well,im going to send it back anyhow.

dedon

I am having this issue.

Out of warranty by 2 weeks.

What does this mean? How much will I have to pay?

Can I send it through Carphonewarehouse where I bought the phone?

Maybe that won't cost as much?

Also I have the Carphone Warehouse Life Line Insurance

Thanks

barryd09

dedon wrote: »

I am having this issue.

Out of warranty by 2 weeks.

What does this mean? How much will I have to pay?

Can I send it through Carphonewarehouse where I bought the phone?

Maybe that won't cost as much?

Thanks

Only apple will take an iphone back & being out of warranty by two weeks is damn unlucky for you im afraid.

From the apple service email confirmation i got earlier after contacting them:

Out of Warranty Repair charges:
iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G, and original All models: € 161.30

It used to be €211 but now thats only for the iPhone 4s

guil

Carphonewarehouse warehouse are liable for taking the phone back for repairs aswell. The sales of goods and supply's act clearly states that the contract is between retailer and the customer and most manufacturers won't deal directly with consumers

Dades

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

FM mobiles on Campden Street fix the home button in 1 hour for €40.

They do a proper job as well, ask for a guy called Brian.

*sorry FM Mobiles

Do you know if they actually replace the homebutton? Or just clean the contacts or something...

I've replaced the screen on mine myself so would avoid the €40 and do it myself if I didn't have to buy new parts.

Also - after a brief respite the homebutton has gone again!

Spiritofthekop

Dades wrote: »

Do you know if they actually replace the homebutton? Or just clean the contacts or something...

I've replaced the screen on mine myself so would avoid the €40 and do it myself if I didn't have to buy new parts.

Also - after a brief respite the homebutton has gone again!

Yeah spoke with them earlier in the week as my girlfriend has similar problem with her i-phone not as bad as mine though but her phone is out of warranty.

(They said over the phone) that they replace the whole button with a new one for €40 and they will give you some sort of guarantee on it too so you can bring it back if it happens again, any time ive dealt with them over the years jailbreaking previous i-phones etc etc they have always done a very good job for me.

Its a proper street front shop and they are not going anywhere so just get receipt etc and you are covered if problem happens again, they fix everything from laptops to every sort of phone.

Sounds like im promoting them, im not just found them cheap and good.

sharkman

Interesting article on unresponsive home button here :cNet
Usually the button is quite responsive and will quit to the main menu after a short period of time, but at times when you press the button there can be a delay or it can even take a couple of tries before it responds.
If the home button on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is not working as it used to, there are a couple of things you can try to get it working again:

To calibrate the home button, open a built-in program (1), hold the power button (2) until the red slider appears, and then press the home button (3) until the slider disappears.
(Credit: Screenshot by Topher Kessler)
Reboot the device
Generally people rarely fully reboot their iOS devices and instead set them in sleep or standby mode when not in use, which is convenient but might allow any problems that occur to not be properly cleared over time, resulting in odd slowdowns or other unwanted behavior.

Therefore, the first thing to try is to reboot the system by holding down the sleep/wake button on the side of the device until you see the red slide control. Sliding this control will shut the device down, after which you can then press and hold the sleep/wake button to start up the device again.

Calibrate the home button
iOS devices support an option to calibrate the home button, which requires interaction with a stock application like the Calendar, Weather, or YouTube. To make use of this option, open one of these apps and then with the app open press the sleep/wake button at the top of your device until the red slider control appears. As soon as you see it, press the home button and keep it held down until the red slider disappears. The device's home button has now been calibrated.


Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57373687-263/fix-home-button-delays-on-ios-devices/#ixzz1m445EIs4

Spiritofthekop

sharkman wrote: »

Interesting article on unresponsive home button here :cNet
Usually the button is quite responsive and will quit to the main menu after a short period of time, but at times when you press the button there can be a delay or it can even take a couple of tries before it responds.
If the home button on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch is not working as it used to, there are a couple of things you can try to get it working again:

To calibrate the home button, open a built-in program (1), hold the power button (2) until the red slider appears, and then press the home button (3) until the slider disappears.
(Credit: Screenshot by Topher Kessler)
Reboot the device
Generally people rarely fully reboot their iOS devices and instead set them in sleep or standby mode when not in use, which is convenient but might allow any problems that occur to not be properly cleared over time, resulting in odd slowdowns or other unwanted behavior.

Therefore, the first thing to try is to reboot the system by holding down the sleep/wake button on the side of the device until you see the red slide control. Sliding this control will shut the device down, after which you can then press and hold the sleep/wake button to start up the device again.

Calibrate the home button
iOS devices support an option to calibrate the home button, which requires interaction with a stock application like the Calendar, Weather, or YouTube. To make use of this option, open one of these apps and then with the app open press the sleep/wake button at the top of your device until the red slider control appears. As soon as you see it, press the home button and keep it held down until the red slider disappears. The device's home button has now been calibrated.


Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57373687-263/fix-home-button-delays-on-ios-devices/#ixzz1m445EIs4

Tried all that made & it no difference unfortunately

barryd09

I got my replacement phone from apple yesterday & the old phone is gone back today.

Funny thing is since the day i rang apple to report the fault the home button was working fine but i sent it back anyhow, i'll just have to wait & see what happens I suppose.

I do notice that the button on the new phone feels different,it definetly feels different to the previous/old phone. Hopefully there wont be an issue,will there be?

LostinBlanch

barryd09 wrote: »

I got my replacement phone from apple yesterday & the old phone is gone back today.

Funny thing is since the day i rang apple to report the fault the home button was working fine but i sent it back anyhow, i'll just have to wait & see what happens I suppose.

I do notice that the button on the new phone feels different,it definetly feels different to the previous/old phone. Hopefully there wont be an issue,will there be?

Did you not have to send in your old phone before getting the new one?

Spiritofthekop

Got a BRAND NEW I-phone 4 back today in work 5 days later.

Have not tried new button yet, will do when I get home and update.

barryd09

LostinBlanch wrote: »

Did you not have to send in your old phone before getting the new one?

No i paid €29 to get the replacement phone straight away (they put a temp charge of €450 on my credit card as security until they get the old one back)

barryd09

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

Got a BRAND NEW I-phone 4 back today in work 5 days later.

Have not tried new button yet, will do when I get home and update.

Brand new as in 110% new,box and charger etc etc or just a phone that looks brand new,with front & back screen protectors on it in a white apple care box?
Because thats what i got,its a refurb but ya,looks new alright.

Spiritofthekop

barryd09 wrote: »

Brand new as in 110% new,box and charger etc etc or just a phone that looks brand new,with front & back screen protectors on it in a white apple care box?
Because thats what i got,its a refurb but ya,looks new alright.

Just the phone.

Its 100% Brand new. All the tags still on it.

barryd09

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

Just the phone.

Its 100% Brand new. All the tags still on it.

Thats how all the refurbs come. New glass,new battery & the front and back plastic protectors.

Spiritofthekop

barryd09 wrote: »

Thats how all the refurbs come. New glass,new battery & the front and back plastic protectors.

My original one had chipping & scratches down the side and a few on the screen.

This phone is flawless and to me it looks like Brand New!

Also were the sim card goes in you will always see marks from the pin like mine had...this one is completely brand new

barryd09

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

My original one had scratches down the side and a few on the screen.

This phone is flawless and to me it looks like Brand New!

Yes, what you got back was a different phone,new IMEI,New serial number but its still a refurb with new glass & a new battery.

Spiritofthekop

barryd09 wrote: »

Yes, what you got back was a different phone,new IMEI,New serial number but its still a refurb with new glass & a new battery.

Ah cool! well as long as the home button works I'm a happy man!

Can you answer me this question i put up earlier? what you think?

Cheers

How much should I pay for a I-phone 3GS 8 gig phone?
Its in perfect condition.

Buying off a friend.

Just wondering what I should pay roughly?

Comes in box with charger etc etc and is unlocked.

barryd09

Spiritofthekop wrote: »

Ah cool! well as long as the home button works I'm a happy man!

Can you answer me this question i put up earlier? what you think?

Cheers

How much should I pay for a I-phone 3GS 8 gig phone?
Its in perfect condition.

Buying off a friend.

Just wondering what I should pay roughly?

Comes in box with charger etc etc and is unlocked.

Check adverts & compare?
I know theres 8gb iphone 4's on there for €300-€350 (prob with warranty) so maybe €200-250 for the 3gs?

Nonoperational

Refurbs are basically new phones. Glad you got sorted.