FIX – Text Message Notification Sound Not Working on iPhone

Here are some important troubleshooting tips to fix text message notification sound not working on iPhone. Most smartphone users may not be too tech-savvy. Instead of using apps like WhatsApp or Signal, they will prefer to send messages using the phone’s classic text message app.

If you are on the receiving end, you may miss an urgent message if the notification sound is not working. Often, simple reasons are behind this technical issue. It may be a bug in iOS. The volume is set low or using iOS Focus Mode. Even keeping the iPhone on mute will cause text message notifications to be missing on the iPhone.

Best Ways to Fix Text Message Notification Sound Not Working on iPhone

1. Update iOS to a Newer Build

If you are running the developer beta of iOS, there may be a bug causing you to miss out on the text message notifications. To update iOS,

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
   
2. If a new build of iOS is available for download, tap on Download and Install.

Restart your iPhone to finish the update installation. Now, check if you still miss the text message notifications on your iPhone.

2. Check if the iPhone Speakers Are Damaged

Did your iPhone recently fall from your hand? The impact on its surface may have damaged the speaker. Are you hearing cracking, unclear audio output through the iPhone speakers? Sometimes, you may not even hear anything.

In this situation, even if other settings related to sound are enabled, with the speaker damaged, the text message notifications sound will not work. Visit the nearest authorized Apple service center and get the help of the technicians. They will fix the iPhone speaker.

3. Use Vibration for Text Alert Tones

If the ringing tone alert is on a lower volume, you can set the vibration for text messages. With the iPhone vibrating, you will be able to know of a new notification on your iPhone. Here is how to set it.

1. Go to Settings > Sound & Haptics.
2. Tap on Text Tone > tap Vibration.
   
3. Tap on any vibration pattern listed under the Standard tab.
   

4. Do Not Hide Alerts for any Conversation 

Disable the Hide alerts option for any conversation you have with a contact on the iPhone.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap on any conversation that you may have muted.
3. Once the message thread opens, tap on the name of the contact.
4. Navigate to the Hide Alerts option and tap on the switch beside the option to disable it.
   

5. Check the Ringtone Volume Slider Settings 

1. Open Settings > go to Sound & Haptics.
2. Go to the volume slider under Ringtone and Alert Volume. Slide the marker rightwards to increase the volume.
   

6. Whitelist Messages App from the Focus Mode

When you turn Focus Mode on, all apps are banned from sending you notifications between the time limit set for that Focus profile. You have to whitelist or allow a selection of one or more apps to receive notifications from them.

1. Go to Settings > Focus.
2. Tap on any Focus profile to make changes to its settings.
   
3. Now, tap on Apps.
4. Make sure the tick mark is beside Silence Notifications From.
5. Unselect the Messages app by tapping on the app icon. Additionally, you may unselect any other app for which you may want to get a notification even when the Focus Mode is active.
   
6. Tap on Back to save the changes.

7. Enable Text Message Tone for your iPhone

You need to check if any default tone is enabled for the text messages that come in on your iPhone.

1. Go to Settings > Sound & Haptics.
2. Under Sound and Haptic Patterns tap on Text Tone.
3. Choose any of the available alert tones.
   

8. Disable Mute on iPhone

The iPhone has a physical button to mute/unmute sound. While it is a useful addition to the device, the silent mode will cause you to miss out on text message notifications.

Flip the mute button to unmute it. As you do that, a pop-up on the screen will say “Silent Mode Off.”

Wrapping Up

Missing important text messages may be detrimental to your workflow. You need to keep communication with your peers going. So, follow the troubleshooting tips in this guide to fix the issue of the text message notification sound not working on your iPhone.