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PhilliesPhanOne

Rattling Thing Inside the iPhone

Ok, so i have had this little problem with the 3GS as well as my old 3G. Whenever i shake either of the phones i have always heard something rattling in the bottom half of the phone. I have gotten them all replaced and they all had that problem until the last 3G i got. Now i am having the same problem with the 3GS. I havent dropped the phones so i am totally stumped. Has anyone else had this problem? Would be nice to know im not alone.
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chegothy

Two things to note (in my case at least):

A) It's the hold/power button rattling about in it's "bed" - the button seems to be slightly too small for the hole it fits in basically

B) It's less of an issue if the iPhone is set to Loud. When Silent mode is on, rattling is louder and happens more often.

It's not really a problem but can make the phone feel a bit flimsy and (dare I say it) cheap. Even though it's a solid piece of kit in other respects. Unless I'm in a virtually silent environment I'd never even notice.
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cplater

I just checked mine, and the power button (on the top) was the culprit. I hadn't noticed it before, and it doesn't bother me. The same thing happens on my iPhone Bluetooth Headset, which is annoying, because I hear constant click in my ear when I'm walking around with it.
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gravescp

Take it back and get a new one. I have never heard this on my 3gs or my original iphone.
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tariqi

I have this little issue where whenever the phone vibrates, it sounds like there is something loose inside it. Sounds terrible, never has this with my iPhone 2G or 3G. Anyone else have this?
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trevorjames

I actually have the rattling sound too. It's quite odd. Going to Apple today to check it out. Perhaps a replacement? I have a 3G by the way.
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ac28

My 3G doesn't rattle at all... I would either take it in to an apple store or your cell provider (depending on your warranties, etc.). It definitely shouldn't be doing that.
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Earthslide

I have it too. Apple said it's normal.
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gsd

My iPhone 2G rattles something when I shake it, though I have dropped it pretty hard quite a few times.
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gshah21

I think its the accelerometer inside the instrument. Accelerometer is the thing which senses the tilt of the phone, so that is why the screen changes from vertical to horizontal and vice verse, it also senses shakes.
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leebrook

I've never heard of this before but seems a few have had it. It's odd Apple says it's normal as neither my 1st gen or 3G have ever done it.

I'd take it back.
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evanc

Unless it's really loud, it's probably the vibrator motor.
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liz

my friend's 3GS rattled and it turned out to be the hold button.
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raisu

Try and see if it's your mute/silent switch. I upgraded from the original iPhone to a 3GS and also noticed a little bit of rattling whenever my new phone vibrates. When my phone is set to silent, that switch seems loose and will rattle. This problem doesn't seem to occur when the switch is set in the "ring" mode though.
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Loydg

I have this same situation. It's the sim card rattling around, on mine anyways. Try taking it out and resetting it in there.
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theodd

I have this issue too. The 3G I replaced was solid. But my new 3GS rattles ever so slightly when I put it down on my desk. I sort of figured it was the compass since I have no idea how it works and it's new hardware on the 3GS. Is Apple replacing phones with this issue? It doesn't seem to impact anything but it's slowly driving me nuts.
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Secron

If I put it on silent it rattles, so for me it's the silent switch. Never noticed it until I saw this thread and tried it =P
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Louis

It's probably the auto-focus camera. Mine has this rattle whenever i set my phone down, and the sound comes from the camera area of the phone.
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upsman

my rattle was not the sim (i took it out) or the hold button (i held it). It is coming from the sim area.
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Sacha

How loud a rattle are we talking? Can you hear it if you don't shake it up against your ear? Because if you can't then stop shaking the phone close to your ear and your problem will be solved.
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corman9020

if the phone works fine and you don't shake the phone, then problem solved.
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Darnitol

I hear a slight muffled click when I shake my 3G, but as an earlier member noted, it's probably the vibrate motor. I never noticed it until I read this thread.
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TheCheapGeek

I thought the rattling was the autofocus lens?
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dasilvetz

interesting i had never noticed this until now.. i have an iphone 3GS- definitely rattles.
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ydarb

You sure it's not the silent/ringer switch? It just does that.
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anzollo

Hmm, I just shook my 3GS and although I never noticed it, there is something that rattles slightly. I have had the 3GS for 3 or 4 days now so I know it's not ware or any problem from me.
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scubaste

My 3G has been rattling for quite some time now and it is a noticeable rattle. Its not the sim card, the vibrate switch or the volume button. I can gently hold down the lock/power button and it still rattles when i shake it, but my phone tends to lock itself from time to time which leads me to believe that its somethings in that area. Other than locking itself it works fine so I just haven't worried about it.
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OurEmpireStyle

I have the 3GS and I get a rattle sound as well when I hold the phone up to my ear with the logo facing towards my ear. I also found a very helpful post on the topic here:

www.intomobile.com­/2009­/06­/25­/the­-iphone­-3gs­-rattl...
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thill327

that's what you get for getting an iphone
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ogundy

I have the rattle as well. In my case, it's the silent ringer switch. The switch functions properly and is still a solid click when used.
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FullTodd

Have never had that problem, take it back again and get a new one, I could not stand a rattle
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macman7

For me the rattling stopped after a couple of light shakes. never heard it since then.
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OurEmpireStyle

Went to Genius bar yesterday and they opened my iphone and found no loose parts. They mentioned it was the vibrator that is making the rattling sound. Its located near the top of the iphone and it has moving parts which moves up and down along a small rail. Hope that helps some of you.
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humedini

I have a genuine question no abuse intended and no offence... why are people shaking their iPhones? I haven't once yet found the need to violently shake a phone that I have owned?
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stridermt2k

It's a Tic Tac.
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MaTiCeK

Mine rattles as well. It's a black 3GS bought in Belgium.
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gettysburg11s

Never heard anything from my 3GS. I may sound like a broken record, but if you hear rattling from your iPhone, take to the Apple Store.
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