Fix: iPhone not getting text notifications

When it comes to iOS bugs and issues, there are rarely any that last long before being patched up. One of the good traits of iOS. However, users are reporting issues with notifications for incoming text messages. It seems that iPhone is not getting text notifications no matter what they do. The problem started after iOS 14 was introduced and it’s still present for some users. We have a few solutions for it, so check them below and tell us if we helped you or not in the comments section below.

Table of contents:

1. Restart your device and check notification settings
2. Check Contacts
3. Check Messages settings
4. Update iOS 14
5. Reset Network Settings
6. Reset to Factory Settings

How do you fix text notifications on your iPhone?

1. Restart your device and check notification settings

Let’s start with a simple restart. This is always a good way to start troubleshooting on any iPhone. The next thing to do is quite obvious and it concerns Notification Settings. Namely, you’ll need to ensure that notifications are enabled on your device. Specifically, notifications concerning the Messages app.

Also, make sure that DND is disabled. This can be done in Quick Settings, by tapping on the Moon tile.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Open Messages.
4. Firstly, make sure that the Allow Notifications option is enabled.
5. After that, confirm that Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners are also enabled.
6. Alternatively, you can choose to Repeat Alerts and give that a go, as well.
7. Disable Do Not Disturb.

2. Check Contacts

There’s also a chance that the contact whose messages you don’t see is set to Hide Alerts. This option hides all incoming notifications so you’ll better check if you enabled it or not. There are some theories that a system update changes this option for some contacts, so a thorough inspection of your common contacts is a good idea.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Messages.
2. Tap on the message of a sender you didn’t get a notification for.
3. Tap Info.
4. Make sure that the Hide Alerts option is disabled.
5. Repeat this for all senders.

If that doesn’t help, make sure to try with the next step.

3. Check Messages settings

Another important thing to check is Messages settings. Make sure that the iMessage and Send as SMS options are enabled.  You can find it within System settings.

Just navigate to Settings > Messages. Once there, check those two options and a list of Blocked Contacts.

4. Update iOS 14

This goes without saying. It seems that iOS 14 actually introduced this problem for many users so updating to a later version of iOS should help you address the problem. I’m, at the moment of writing, on iOS 14.6 and everything works as intended. So the same should be for all other users, as well.

Here’s how to check for iOS updates on your iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Install available updates and check whether the problem is solved or not.

5. Reset Network Settings

If the latest iOS version doesn’t bring the fix for your aches with notifications, make sure to try resetting network settings. Have in mind that this will erase all networks and Bluetooth pairings.

Here’s how to Reset Network Settings on iOS:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Reset from the bottom of the list.
4. Tap Reset Network Settings.
5. Confirm with PIN or Password.

If your iPhone is not getting text notifications after all these steps, try with the factory reset.

6. Reset to Factory Settings

Finally, if none of the previous steps worked for you, the only thing that comes to mind is to factory reset your device. This can be done by following the steps below, just make sure to back up everything before you move to reset:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Reset.
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
5. Make sure to back up everything to iCloud. Navigate to Settings > Your Account at the top > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back up Now.
6. Enter PIN/Password when prompted and confirm.
7. Once your device reboots, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

That’s it. Thank you for reading and make sure to share your questions or suggestions in the comments section below. We always appreciate your feedback.