iMessage notifications not working on iPhone? 9 easy fixes

Currently, several people are facing issues related to message notifications. If you too are not getting notifications for new incoming iMessages or SMS and are missing important texts from friends, family and business, let me help! Here are some helpful solutions to help fix the issue of iMessage notifications not working on iPhone. Let’s take a look.

1. Make sure iMessage is enabled

Let’s start by making sure iMessage is enabled. To do this, open the Settings app and tap on Messages. Here, make sure the toggle for iMessage is green.

2. Make sure iPhone is not in silent or do not disturb mode.

Look at the left side of your iPhone and make sure the physical mute switch is not in the down position (revealing an orange background). If so, click on it to disable silent mode.

Then go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb → turn off Do Not Disturb. You can do the same from the iPhone Control Center by tapping on the crescent moon icon.

3. Check the notification settings of the Messages app.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Notifications.
2. Scroll down and click “Messages”.
3. Make sure the Allow notifications toggle is on.
4. Then make sure the lock screen, notification center and banners are all checked.
5. Optional: Tap Sounds and choose a louder tone if needed. Also make sure “None”is not selected. You can even customize the vibration of messages.

4. Make sure the contact is not disconnected

1. Open a conversation and tap the name or image at the top.
2. Tap info.
3. Make sure “Hide Alerts”is disabled.

5. Disable “Filter unknown senders”.

If you choose to filter unknown senders, you won’t get notified when a person who isn’t in your contact list sends a message. To avoid this, you can disable it.

1. Open the Settings app and tap on Messages.
2. Click Unknown & spam.
3. Make sure the “Filter unknown senders”toggle is green.

6. Restart your iPhone

It seems like a small step, but practically works like a charm to solve a few of these problems. So please don’t ignore it.

7. Update to the latest iOS version

Several users of earlier versions of iOS 14 had issues with message notifications. Apple has fixed this in future iOS updates.

All users are encouraged to use the latest public version of iOS. This ensures the correct operation of your device and a good user experience.

To update, open the Settings app, tap General → Software Update.

8. Other iMessage Fixes You Can Try

In addition to the above fixes, here are a few more that users have suggested on various internet forums. Before moving on to the final solution (reset), take the time to go through the following tricks and see if they work for you or not.

• Set your own tone for an individual contact. Open a contact in the Phone or Contacts app. Click Edit → Ringtone and choose a different tone.
• Exit the conversation and be on the first screen of the Messages app. Make sure you don’t stay on the conversation screen. Instead, press < to return to the list of all messages. You can now exit the Messages app.
• Make sure the date and time are correct: open the Settings app → General → Date and Time → turn on Set Automatically.
• Make sure you haven’t blocked the person by opening the Settings app → Messages → Blocked Contacts.

9. Reset all settings

Finally, if nothing works, resetting all settings can help. Keep in mind that this will remove any changed or added settings such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN settings, etc. However, all personal data such as music, apps, photos, etc. will remain intact.

1. Open the Settings app and tap on General.
2. Scroll all the way down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset.
3. Click Reset All Settings and confirm.

Problem with iMessage notifications successfully solved!

I hope one or a combination of the above solutions helped to resolve the issue. If so, let us know which ones worked for you. If you have any additional tricks or suggestions related to this issue, please share them with everyone in the comments below.

Finally, iMessage is also available on your iPad and Mac. If you have them, you can use iMessage on them for now and hope that Apple quickly releases an iOS update that fixes this annoyance. You can contact them here.