GRR! Temperamental home button!!

Diggsy

Diggsy

Diggsy

Soldato
Joined
31 Aug 2007
Posts
4,930
Guys, this last week or so I have been plagued with the temperamental home button issue on my iPhone 4 32gb :mad:

Unfortunately as I got it on release day, it's outside of warranty.

I am considering making a trip to my local Apple Store and trying my luck at getting them to repair / replace it, quoting SOGA if necessary.

Has anyone done this recently and had any success? If so what did you say to persuade them? I know their CS is pretty much legenday, but I want to go there prepared.


Oh, in anticipation of not having any luck I also bit the bullet and ordered a replacement assembly from iFixit for the grand total of a tenner!! Thought I might as well as it's only a tenner lost if Apple do sort it for me, and if not at least the replacement is on it's way (takes a couple of weeks apparently). Just not keen on stripping the phone myself :eek:
 
Last edited:
Have you tried holding the button down and blowing in the connector slot (preferably with compressed air). Might dislodge whatever is causing it.
 
I've never had any quibbles from Apple replacing my 3GS front cover (which is what they do to fix the home button) but that was in warranty.

Only way really is to go in, be polite and see what they say.

Just to keep the hassle to a minimum I make sure my iPhones are always in warranty!
 
Berserker said:
Have you tried holding the button down and blowing in the connector slot (preferably with compressed air). Might dislodge whatever is causing it.
Click to expand...

I have tried this (although I had to blow in there as I don't have compressed air at the moment :p) and it didn't make any difference.

Might go and grab a tin of compressed air though if you think it could help?
 
Concorde Rules said:
I've never had any quibbles from Apple replacing my 3GS front cover (which is what they do to fix the home button) but that was in warranty.

Only way really is to go in, be polite and see what they say.

Just to keep the hassle to a minimum I make sure my iPhones are always in warranty!
Click to expand...

Yeah, guess the lesson here is take AppleCare. I will of course be super polite and see how I get on. Might just have to mention the fact they replaced a family member's phone after she admitted dropping it down the toilet :p:D
 
Seems the problem is quite common, I'm going to chance my arm at the Apple Store and if they won't sort it, then I guess the modding tools are going to have to be produced! Teardown looks very fiddly.
 
Diggsy said:
I am considering making a trip to my local Apple Store and trying my luck at getting them to repair / replace it, quoting SOGA if necessary.
Click to expand...

Just so you don't waste your time, only Apple Care can authorise an out of warranty repair for free, you will be wasting your time in the shop.

I had this with Brent Cross, the store manager lied to my face telling me that a cracked back next to the charging is not a known issue with the 3GS, and then point blank refused to help me any futher. I had to go home, call Apple Care, get it authorised and then return to the store (with a smug look of course).
 
I ws in the Apple store for the same issue 2 weeks ago, person next to me also had the same issue. They were out of warranty but the guy at the counter said that there are cases where despite the warranty being over they can sill choose to replace at their discretion, and he did! Very impressed with the service there and always have been when it comes to these cases with Apple.
 
Berserker said:
First problem will be the pentalobe screwdriver for the case screws.
Click to expand...

Nah, mine was a launch day phone, so has Philips screws ;)

MilanoChris said:
Just so you don't waste your time, only Apple Care can authorise an out of warranty repair for free, you will be wasting your time in the shop.

I had this with Brent Cross, the store manager lied to my face telling me that a cracked back next to the charging is not a known issue with the 3GS, and then point blank refused to help me any futher. I had to go home, call Apple Care, get it authorised and then return to the store (with a smug look of course).
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, might be worth a go :)

NightShadow said:
I ws in the Apple store for the same issue 2 weeks ago, person next to me also had the same issue. They were out of warranty but the guy at the counter said that there are cases where despite the warranty being over they can sill choose to replace at their discretion, and he did! Very impressed with the service there and always have been when it comes to these cases with Apple.
Click to expand...

Yeah, thanks. I have always found them great too. Added bonus might be that one of the 'People Managers' or whatever they're called is a personal friend of mine, so with a little luck he could maybe pull a string or 2.

My phone is essentially in mint condition, bar the damage to the metal band caused by Apple's own bumper :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
NightShadow said:
I ws in the Apple store for the same issue 2 weeks ago, person next to me also had the same issue. They were out of warranty but the guy at the counter said that there are cases where despite the warranty being over they can sill choose to replace at their discretion, and he did! Very impressed with the service there and always have been when it comes to these cases with Apple.
Click to expand...
In that case, the guy in Brent Cross is a tool.
 
Diggsy said:
Yeah, guess the lesson here is take AppleCare. I will of course be super polite and see how I get on. Might just have to mention the fact they replaced a family member's phone after she admitted dropping it down the toilet :p:D
Click to expand...

To me it looks like you can get full insurance including accidental damage, loss, theft etc for much the same cost as AppleCare, when all the latter gives you is an extended warranty really.
 
How did you get on with this? I have the exact same problem - also with a launch day iP4.

I went to the Birmingham store on Monday where they refused to repair/replace for free... and instead offered me a £140 odd quid replacement.

A little annoying, but the cheaper option for me is pay the £75 excess on my insurance.
 
Pez said:
How did you get on with this? I have the exact same problem - also with a launch day iP4.

I went to the Birmingham store on Monday where they refused to repair/replace for free... and instead offered me a £140 odd quid replacement.

A little annoying, but the cheaper option for me is pay the £75 excess on my insurance.
Click to expand...

I have an appointment but it's not until next Saturday!! Will keep you posted, but either way, I won't be paying any more than a tenner (cost for the part from the US) ;)

Oh if you're interested, you can buy the part here... http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-4-Home-Button-Assembly/IF182-017 (use discount code 12511FIXIT for $5 off ;))

And the very detailed fitting instructions are here... http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPhone-4-Home-Button/3144/1

EDIT - just found the metal band (which is actually pretty much the chassis) for £15, so might just get that and replace my damaged metal band it if Apple won't help out. Might as well if I'm going to have to strip the phone to pieces to repair the home button.
 
Last edited:
Diggsy said:
Guys, this last week or so I have been plagued with the temperamental home button issue on my iPhone 4 32gb :mad:

Unfortunately as I got it on release day, it's outside of warranty.

I am considering making a trip to my local Apple Store and trying my luck at getting them to repair / replace it, quoting SOGA if necessary.

Has anyone done this recently and had any success? If so what did you say to persuade them? I know their CS is pretty much legenday, but I want to go there prepared.


Oh, in anticipation of not having any luck I also bit the bullet and ordered a replacement assembly from iFixit for the grand total of a tenner!! Thought I might as well as it's only a tenner lost if Apple do sort it for me, and if not at least the replacement is on it's way (takes a couple of weeks apparently). Just not keen on stripping the phone myself :eek:
Click to expand...

had the same problem and same phone

went to the apple store brighton and explained my problem six weeks ago

was told it's a common fault and not fixable on ip4's and even though my phone was out of warranty he could replace it for me free of charge

so just go in and be nice
 
Last edited:
mpy32 said:
had the same problem and same phone

went to the apple store brighton and explained my problem six weeks ago

was told it's a common fault and not fixable on ip4's and even though my phone was out of warranty he could replace it for me free of charge

so just go in and be nice
Click to expand...

Nice one :) Great to hear positive replies, will of course be very polite about it. Fingers crossed, gives me even more hope now :)
 
mpy32 said:
had the same problem and same phone

went to the apple store brighton and explained my problem six weeks ago

was told it's a common fault and not fixable on ip4's and even though my phone was out of warranty he could replace it for me free of charge

so just go in and be nice
Click to expand...

And this was a launch day iP4?

I was as nice as pie - didn't even kick off when they basically told me to jog on!

If you did indeed have a launch day iP4 and they replaced it, would you be willing to provide some information for me to return to the Birmingham store with - to see if they wil match the service you received?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom