iPhone, iPad, iPod Forums at iMore.com

[marissaa310]

I apologize if there is a thread about this already, but I didn't see one...

Is anyone else have an issue with the proximity sensor on iPhone 4? When I am on a call, my screen will randomly turn on occasionally and I end up press buttons with my face that I don't mean to press. I have put my call on Mute multiple times without realizing it, gone into text messages and send gibberish texts to people, and today my phone went into my settings and starting playing ringtones in my ear in the MIDDLE of a call. WTF?!? I hope this is just a software issue....

[ghostface147]

I've had the issue one time.

[Cleveland]

Haven't head the issue at all.. maybe the proximity sensor is bad or came loose inside the phone??

[lungho]

This fixed the problem for me.

Go to Settings, General, and scroll all the way down to the bottom. Tap Reset and the Reset All Settings. Somehow this is supposed to re-calibrates the proximity sensor.

[macharborguy]

Originally Posted by ghostface147

I've had the issue one time.

I have had this issue almost with every single call I make. Last night I was talking to an employee and about 3 times during the conversation, the screen reactivated, my ear pressed against the Mute button, and the person on the other end just kept saying "hello? hellooo?"

It appears that, for some people, the proximity sensor is not registering that it is aiming INTO the ear canal, and thinks there is nothing in front of it, and because of that, reactivates the screen. I have tested this a few times, and can easily replicated it the same every time.

[macharborguy]

Originally Posted by lungho

This fixed the problem for me.

Go to Settings, General, and scroll all the way down to the bottom. Tap Reset and the Reset All Settings. Somehow this is supposed to re-calibrates the proximity sensor.

didn't work for me, there is still that "sweet spot", or in this case, "sour spot", where i can get the phone positioned right up against my head and ear where the screen turns back on.

[ghostface147]

So I just replicated your issue. If I talk on my phone with it resting on my shoulder and my head leaning on it, the sensor disengages as if I am not on a call. If I even slightly tilt my head, the sensor works as normal. It almost seems that it is a software issue. As if it is too sensitive...

[Joletzring]

My wife is having this issue. Very annoying...she keeps hanging up on people because of it.

I am hoping it is a software-related issue; my guess is that it is.

When is this OS 4.01 update coming out?!

[Casper TFG]

I heard some tech pundits say you need to restore it as a "new phone" (from itunes) and that issue will go away. Good luck.

[jakej914]

You might try resetting setting, but honestly, I think it is just that the software is more sensitive and that the location of the sensor has changed. Try to lower the phone on your ear. That's what I've been doing, and it has been working.