Text alerts

Hi Jojava,

welcome to the Apple Community.

Wondering which iOS version you are using pin your iPhone.

re: My text alerts do not sound if I am not actively on my phone

Make sure your iPhone is not in. "Silent" mode.

How to put your iPhone on vibrate, ring, or silent mode

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208353

Or

Apple support have articles online (links below) that may help:

NB: If you are using an iOS earlier than iOS 15, change the iOS at the top of each article for accurate info.

Change message notifications on iPhone:

Says:

Manage notifications for messages

1. 1. Go to Settings  > Notifications > Messages.
   2. Choose options, including the following:

• • • Turn Allow Notifications on or off.
    • Set the position and locations of message notifications.
    • Choose the alert sound for message notifications.
    • Choose when message previews should appear.

See the complete article: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/iphone/iph62faab6a4/ios

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And

"Change notification settings on iPhone"

Says:

In Settings , choose which apps can send notifications,

or

change the alert sound, set up location-based alerts, allow government alerts, and more

Stee the complete article: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/iphone/iph7c3d96bab/15.0/ios/15.0

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More info:

Flash the LED for alerts on iPhone

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/iphone/iph79ced06b1/ios

Change iPhone sounds and vibrations

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/iphone/iph07c867f28/15.0/ios/15.0

All the best :-)