Though many have switched to WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger to keep in touch with friends and family, some users still prefer regular text messaging over iMessage. The problem occurs when the iPhone stops receiving SMS notifications. Whether it’s a message from your bank or an important text from your family, you don’t want to miss it.
You can always open the default Messages app to check new texts. But it is time consuming and not a viable solution. Before you miss important messages, use the following tricks to fix your iPhone not receiving text notifications issues.
1. Check the message notification settings
One of the most common culprits is the notification settings on your iPhone. You need to verify that these notification settings are correctly enabled on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Messages.
Step 3: Tap Notifications.
Step 4: Turn on the switch next to Allow notifications. Also, turn on notifications on the lock screen, notification center, and banners in the Notifications section.
2. Disable focus
When you turn on Focus, your iPhone will pause all notifications and calls. You must disable Focus or make an exception for the Messages app.
Step 1: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the iPhone screen.
Step 2: When Control Center opens, tap the Focus tile to turn it off.
You can also unfocus messages using the following steps.
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap Focus.
Step 3: Select your preferred focus profile.
Step 4: Tap Apps.
Step 5: Activate the “Time-dependent notifications” switch. Tap the Add button, select the radio button about Messages and tap Done in the top right.
This change ensures that you receive text notifications even when focus mode is active.
3. Remove messages from the scheduled summary
If you’ve added messages in the scheduled summary, you’ll only receive text notifications at set times. You can follow the steps below to remove messages from the scheduled summary and receive real-time notifications.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap Notifications.
Step 2: Tap Scheduled Summary.
Step 3: Turn off the toggle next to Messages in the menu that follows.
4. Unmute threads
Did you happen to mute an annoying conversation thread in Messages? You will not receive notification from such threads until you unmute them.
Step 1: Open Messages on iPhone.
Step 2: In a thread, swipe left and select Unmute.
5. Uncheck Hide notifications
The system will not send text notifications if you have hidden notifications from a specific contact. Complete the following steps to display alerts.
Step 1: Launch the Messages app on iPhone.
Step 2: Pick a thread you don’t get messages from.
Step 3: Tap the contact’s name at the top.
Step 4: To turn off the option, toggle the switch next to “Hide notifications.”
6. Enable time-based notifications
iOS delivers time-sensitive notifications instantly and keeps them on the lock screen for an hour. Here’s how you can turn on time-sensitive notifications for messages.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Messages.
Step 3: Tap Notifications.
Step 4: Toggle the switch next to “Time-based notifications” to enable the option.
7. Allow mention alerts
Do you often miss mentions in chats through the Messages app on iPhone? You must enable notifications for mentions. When it’s on, the Messages app will notify you when someone specifically mentions (tags your contact name) in a muted conversation thread.
Step 1: Open Messages in iPhone settings.
Step 2: Activate the “Notify” switch.
From now on you’ll get an instant notification whenever someone mentions you in messages.
8. Enable notifications for unknown senders, transactions, and promotions
If you have enabled filters in messages, you must enable notifications for unknown senders, transactions, and promotions. Otherwise, you will continue to miss such warnings. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Messages.
Step 3: Tap Notifications.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap Customize notifications.
Step 4: Enable the toggles next to Unknown Senders, Transactions, and Actions.
9. Unblock contacts
Have you blocked annoying contacts on your iPhone? You will not receive any SMS from them. You need to check the blocked contacts list again and unblock the relevant contacts.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap Phone.
Step 3: Tap Blocked Contacts.
Step 4: Swipe left on a contact and select Unblock.
10. Update iOS
The default Messages app is part of iOS. Apple adds new messaging features with iOS updates. If you are running an outdated iOS version, you may have a glitchy messaging experience on your iPhone. It is recommended to update your iPhone to the latest version to avoid problems like SMS notifications not working.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap General.
Step 3: Select Software update and install any pending updates.
Receive real-time text notifications
Text notifications not working on iPhone can lead to unwanted situations. You can also contact your local cell phone provider if the problem persists for a long time. Which trick worked for you? Share your findings in the comments below.
