Top 7 Fixes for iMessage Notifications Not Working on iPhone

The Messages app on iOS supports SMS and instant functionality called iMessages. The iMessages section allows you to seamlessly communicate with others in the Apple ecosystem and share photos, files, etc. It allows you to share. However, there are cases where the app does not notify users of new messages. This can ruin your communication experience in the app. If that explains your current situation, check out seven (7) different fixes in this post that can help you get your iMessage notifications back to normal.

You can try restarting your device before proceeding with the tweaks listed below. This simple trick fixed the problem for some iPhone users. If you tried this and it didn’t fix the problem, one of the methods below will.

1. Check that iMessage is Enabled

This is the first troubleshooting check you want to run on your device. iMessage notifications may not arrive on your device if the messaging service is disabled on your device. This can happen if you changed the SIM card or if you recently did a factory reset on your iPhone.

Launch the iPhone Settings menu, select Messages and turn on iMessage. If enabled, turn it off and then back on.

Ask someone to send you a text in iMessage and check if your iPhone shows notifications for new messages in your device’s Notification Center.

2. Check iMessage Notification Settings

You may also want to check if iMessage is allowed to display notifications on your iPhone. If iMessage notification alerts do not appear on your lock screen or Notification Center, check if they are enabled in the notification settings.

Stage 1: Launch the iPhone Settings menu and select Notifications.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Messages.

Stage 3: Turn on the ‘Allow Notifications’ options.

If the option is enabled on your device, check the Alerts section and configure where and how you want iMessage notifications to be displayed.

Step 4: For the best iMessage notification experience and to make sure you don’t miss any messages, you should make sure that all three alert types (Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners) are enabled for iMessage.

Just tap on each alert type and make sure it’s checked. Also, make sure Badges are enabled.

3. Check Contact Settings

If iMessage notifications are only working selectively for some contacts on your iPhone, check that you haven’t muted or hidden notification alerts for the affected contact.

Stage 1: Launch iMessage and open the conversation with the affected person.

Step 2: Tap the person icon at the top of the chat screen.

Stage 3: Tap the info icon.

Step 4: If the Hide Alerts option is enabled, turn it off.

You can also swipe left on the person’s conversation and tap Show Alerts.

4. Disable Filter Unknown Senders

If you’re not receiving iMessage notifications from people who aren’t in your contact list, you can configure your device to filter out notifications from unknown numbers. To fix this, follow the steps below.

Stage 1: Launch the iOS settings menu and select Messages.

Step 2: Go to the Message Filtering section and disable the ‘Filter Unknown Senders’ option.

Your iPhone should now receive notifications from unknown numbers that are not saved in your contact list.

5. Enable Distinctive Delivery

If you don’t see new iMessage notifications in the app icon (as a Badge), you may have (perhaps accidentally) set the Messages app to silently send notifications in the Notifications center.

When an app is configured to silently deliver notifications, notifications from the app won’t make a sound and won’t appear on your device’s lock screen. Additionally, the app’s icon will not carry a notification badge. When Silent Delivery is enabled for iMessage (or any app), it will cause notifications to appear only in Notification Center.

If you have an old/unread iMessage notification on your iPhone’s lock screen or notification center, you can easily disable Silent Delivery for iMessage.

Stage 1: Swipe left on the unread notification and select Manage.

Step 2: Next, tap the Deliver Significantly button.

You can also disable Silent Delivery for iMessage from the Settings menu. Go to Settings > Notifications > Messages and check/enable Lock Screen and Banners alert.

6. Disable Quiet Mode and Do Not Disturb

Not getting sound/sound notifications for iMessage? Check if your device is set to Silent Mode or Do Not Disturb. Both modes mute phone calls and app notifications.

To disable Silent Mode, move the ring/silent switch (on the side of your iPhone) to the top. You should see a ‘Silent Mode Off’ notification at the top of your screen.

Tap the conch moon icon in the iPhone Control Center to disable the ‘Do Not Disturb’ option. Alternatively, go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and turn off ‘Do Not Disturb’.

7. Update iOS

If the iMessage notification issue is caused by a bug or glitch in your iPhone’s operating system function, upgrading the operating system can help. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap ‘Download and Install’ to start the OS update process.

Don’t Miss Anything

If you are still not getting iMessage notifications at this point, you should try resetting your iPhone. If the problem persists, you may need to hard reset/format your device. Note that performing a hard reset will restore your iPhone to factory defaults and wipe all data. Therefore, if you do not have a suitable backup of your data, do not attempt it. We hope that at least one of the fixes mentioned above fixes the iMessage notification issue.

Next: Receive lots of photos, videos and attachments via iMessage? Check out the article linked below to see the best way to delete them on your iPhone running iOS 13.