How to Fix iPhone 4 Poor Wifi Antenna (Simplest Fix)

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How to Fix iPhone 4 Poor Wifi Antenna (Simplest Fix)

Ron Jaxon

24.1k Views

Step 1 of 14

First I have to make this warning. Opening an iPhone can cancel your warranty. If you have a warranty just take your iPhone in to be fixed or replaced. Having said that. Here we go.

Step 2 of 14

My iPhone 4 has had terrible wifi reception. I basically have to be in the room with the router for it to work. I searched on line and found a number of ways to fix this. Most are very technical.

Step 3 of 14

But I decided to try the simplest method and it worked! I now have great wifi reception. This solution won't fix all iPhone wifi antenna issues. But it's the simplest so it's worth giving a try.

Step 4 of 14

First. Turn your iPhone off.

Step 5 of 14

You have to remove the back panel of the iPhone 4. To do this you'll probably need a pentalobe screwdriver made for this job. Order one for a couple dollars from eBay. DO NOT TRY A REGULAR PHILIPS!!!

Step 6 of 14

Remove the two screw on bottom of the iPhone. If you don't use the proper tool you'll strip the screws and have real trouble. Also, Don't lose the screws. Put them back in their original position.

Step 7 of 14

Once the screws are removed (remember. Don't lose them and remember which screw goes in which hole). Grasp the iPhone as you see in this image. (Compare the bottom to next image).

Step 8 of 14

Then slide the back panel up. It'll click and only move a quarter inch or so (see bottom of iPhone to see how far it'll slide).

Step 9 of 14

Then pull the back panel off. It can look intimidating in there. But don't worry. We don't have to take anything else apart for this fix. All we'll be removing is the back wall.

Step 10 of 14

Here's the culprit of the problem I'm addressing in this guide. There's a tiny screw at the top where the arrow indicates in this image. This was the problem with my wifi antenna.

Step 11 of 14

I touched it with a tiny Philips screw driver and noticed it was loose. So I tightened it very carefully and that's all it took. This tiny screw wasn't connecting with a metal dimple under it.

Step 12 of 14

Put the iPhone back together and turn it on. See if the wifi improves. If it does then this simple fix worked.

Step 13 of 14

If it didn't fix it then I suggest you google "iPhone 4 wifi antenna fix" for more possible solutions. Some are very technical with tiny parts. So be careful. Or find a professional to help.

Step 14 of 14

But as I said. This was simple and it solved my problem. So I figured it was worth sharing. Good luck.

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Ron Jaxon

michigan

I'm a semi professional magician. Graphic designer. I've been deaf almost 20 years but i can hear now thanks to the cochlear implant I got almost 2 years ago.

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Nadia Willis

I have the same problem my iphone uncover as the guide says but has the screw. That is what I have to do please help

Joel Martinez 3 days ago

No. They changed the antenna design on 4S partly because of the flaw in this guide. So the 4S uses a different wifi antenna design so this fix won't work on 4S. Good luck.

Ron Jaxon (author) last week

Does it work on 4s?

Eva Μ. last week

I'm so glad to find out this has helped a couple people.

Ron Jaxon (author) 4 weeks ago

IT WORKS!!!!! Thanks so much for this guide! I've been struggling with this problem for a year now!!!

Chad Schilder 4 weeks ago

YES! It worked and was very easy. Only snafu was that I ordered the pentalobe screwdriver and found that mine was a Phillips #00 afterwards. Still, it was a miracle fix. Before tightening the culprit screw, my connection speed was only about 3 Mbps now its usually over 10.

Mickey Medley last month

I don't have 5 yet. Be careful. I'm sure it's an entire different antenna design.

Ron Jaxon (author) last month

I have issue with my iphone 5. If i under 5 meters of my router its ok, but 6,7 or more distance i cant see any wifi network. Maybe is similar solution I will check antenna connection and i post there my result...

edin osmanovich last month

Good tip, thanks

Sea Hunt last month

I really couldn't say. I don't have an iPad. Ill ask my friend if he might know though and ill get back to you.

Ron Jaxon (author) 4 months ago

Do you think the same thing could apply for an iPad 2?

Jonathan David 4 months ago

They'll only replace it if you still have a warranty. I bought my iPhone 4 off a friend. So I had no warranty. It's the only reason I risked fixing it myself. :)

Ron Jaxon (author) 5 months ago

If you take it to Apple they will swap it for a refurbished phone, with that being said you are better off with the one you have! I went through seven refurbished ones, they suck!

Shea Rives 7 months ago

The earlier models of 4 had Phillips. Later models like mine have the pentalobe.

Ron Jaxon (author) 8 months ago

Is this the 4 or 4S? I only ask since as far as I was aware the 4 has normal Phillips screws but the 4S has pentalobe?

Daniel R Mitchell 8 months ago

thanks!

Ryan Ties 8 months ago

Ron... You are the man when it comes to iPhone potpourri ..! I have tried a few of your iPhone guides.. you are the Master!

Debie Sterling 8 months ago

If you no longer have a warranty then it won't hurt to open it up and take a look to see what might be rattling. But I caution you not to tamper with it if you don't see the problem right away. One thing out of place can really mess things up. And there are tiny parts in there that really matter. I'd recommend watching some YouTube videos on taking them apart first so you know what to expect as far as procedure.

Ron Jaxon (author) 8 months ago

My wi-fi is working okay but this is handy to know - I'm wondering why I have a rattle in my iPhone though - I've dropped it a couple of times but only from the couch on to the floor (carpeted) so I'm wondering if this rattle is a loose screw and worth opening up - thoughts?

Ugly Betty 8 months ago

*sigh* iphone4. so many issues. cant wait for wednesdays announcement. im so ready to upgrade! good guide!

Brian F. 8 months ago

If you still have your warranty. Just take it in. They'll replace it. But if you don't have a warranty. This fix is the only one I'd suggest trying in your own. If this doesn't work and toy need a part replaced. I don't recommend doing yourself. Look up an iPhone repair shop.

Ron Jaxon (author) 8 months ago