Not receiving text notifications on your iPhone can be annoying, but don’t worry, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the issue. Let’s go through them:
What Causes Not Getting Text Notifications on iPhone?
Text notifications are typically handled with the Messages app, which comes preinstalled on all iPhones. When text notifications stop working on an iPhone, it can manifest in a few ways:
- You notice texts that weren’t accompanied by an alert sound
- Notifications for new iMessage or SMS messages aren’t showing up on the lock screen
- No red dot on the Messages app when messages arrive
You might not be getting text notifications on an iPhone for many reasons. If you aren’t receiving text messages, and you know people have sent you messages, it’s probably a connectivity problem. In that case, make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and cellular data and that MMS and SMS are configured correctly. If you are receiving texts but not notifications, here are the most common causes:
- Misconfigured notification settings
- Incorrect volume settings
- Software bug
Below are steps on how to Fix iPhone Message Notification Not Working.
Step 1: Check Notification Settings
First, make sure that your notification settings are configured correctly. Here’s what you can do:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Notifications.”
3. Look for the “Messages” app in the list of apps and tap on it.
4. Make sure that “Allow Notifications” is enabled. You can also adjust other settings like the notification sound and banners.
Step 2: Check Do Not Disturb and Silence Mode
It’s worth making sure that your iPhone isn’t in Do Not Disturb mode or Silence mode accidentally. To check this:
1. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone’s screen (or swipe up on older models) to access Control Center.
2. Ensure that the Do Not Disturb moon icon is not highlighted or activated. If it is, tap the icon to disable it.
3. Additionally, check the physical switch on the side of your iPhone. If there’s a red stripe visible on the switch, it means Silent mode is enabled. Flip the switch towards the opposite side to disable Silence mode.
Step 3: Ensure Proper Contact Settings
It’s possible that the contact whose messages you’re not receiving notifications for has specific settings that are affecting notifications. Here’s what to check:
1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Look for a conversation from the contact you’re having trouble with.
3. Tap on their name at the top of the screen.
4. In the contact details, ensure that “Hide Alerts” is not enabled. If it is, tap it to disable alerts.
Step 4: Check Background App Refresh and Battery Settings
Sometimes, restricted background app refresh or battery settings can affect the delivery of notifications. To check and adjust these settings:
1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Tap on “Background App Refresh” and ensure that the toggle switch is enabled for “Messages.”
4. Return to the main “Settings” screen, and this time tap on “Battery.”
5. Make sure that “Low Power Mode” is disabled as this mode restricts background app activity.
Step 5: Restart Your iPhone
A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches and improve overall performance, including notification issues. Try restarting your iPhone by holding down the power button until the “Slide to power off” option appears. I
- iPhone X or newer: simultaneously press and hold the side and volume down buttons.
- Older iPhones: press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the power off slider appears, then release Sleep/Wake.
Step 6: Update iOS
Keeping your iPhone’s operating system up to date is crucial for bug fixes and improvements. Make sure you’re running the latest version of iOS:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Tap on “Software Update.”
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions to download and install it.
Step 7: Reset All Settings
If none of the above steps have worked so far, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This won’t delete your data, but it will revert your settings back to factory defaults. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General.”
3. Scroll to the bottom and select “Reset.”
4. Tap on “Reset All Settings” and input your passcode if prompted.
5. Confirm the reset and wait for your iPhone to restart.
After trying these steps, check whether you’re now receiving text notifications properly. If the issue persists, it may be worth reaching out to Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.
