erratic audio on iphone notifications

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Level 1

10 points

erratic audio on iphone notifications

On my iphone SE 2020 (iOS 16.6) my phone always receives and delivers notifications but SOMETIMES I get the audio tone and SOMETIMES I get nothing. This is not because of DO NOT DISTURB or Missing Tones in setup and it isnt a problem for a particular sender. THE SAME person messages me within the same period of time .. and i always get the message, but sometimes with NO TONE. My volume is on full, and the phone is not silenced. I have tried everything I have read on apple support except the watch. I can turn watch off and bluetooth off, but since the AUDIO messaging is ERRATIC I can NEVER troubleshoot it consistently. When all these other people had this problem was it ever erratic ? If it doesnt fail consistently how can I fix it ?

Posted on Aug 30, 2023 11:05 AM

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Answer 1

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Aug 31, 2023 12:26 PM in response to lbhough

Hi lbhough,

It sounds like you may have apps with the notifications turned off for just your Apple Watch. As when that happens, the notifications will always go to the iPhone. Check this on the iPhone > Apple Watch app as shown here:

Customize your Apple Watch notification settings

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap the My Watch tab.

2. Tap Notifications.

3. Tap an app to see its options. To use the same notification settings on apps that appear on both your Apple Watch and iPhone, tap Mirror my iPhone. Some apps allow you to customize your notifications. Tap Custom, then choose an option:

• Allow Notifications: Notifications appear in Notification Center and your Apple Watch alerts you.

• Send to Notification Center: Notifications are sent directly to Notification Center without your Apple Watch alerting you.

• Notifications Off: The app sends no notifications.

4. If you customize an app's notifications, you can also group notifications from that app. Tap Notification grouping, then choose an option: Off, Automatically, or By App.

Some apps offer further customization, while others only let you turn off Apple Watch notifications completely. Scroll down to the Mirror iPhone Alerts From section and turn off the setting next to the app.

Learn how to change audio settings for notifications.

Take care!

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Answer 2

ASTRO24

Community Specialist

Aug 31, 2023 10:38 AM in response to lbhough

Hi lbhough,

Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities.

You mentioned an Apple Watch. Is your iPhone unlocked when this behavior occurs? If so, the notification would be seen from your Apple Watch.

Notifications on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If your affected notifications aren't muted for a certain period, it would be best to contact Apple Support to have them investigate this further.

Use notifications on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Get Support

Regards.

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Answer 3

ShannonM1

Community Specialist

Sep 2, 2023 10:11 AM in response to lbhough

Yes, lbhough,

Let's go ahead and do that for testing purposes. Make sure there's no Bluetooth connections occurring that may be routing that audio, especially anything resembling a speaker or headset. This way we can be certain nothing is "taking" that audio alert and trying to play it.

Here's how to adjust Bluetooth if you need the steps: Use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in Control Center - Apple Support

Let us know what happens!

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Answer 4

lbhough Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 2, 2023 11:22 AM in response to ShannonM1

Hello Shannon - maybe this is progress: My SimpliSafe doorbell notifies me when it detects motion. The Apple Watch has the “mirror iPhone “ setting for the SimpliSafe app.

When I activate doorbell camera with BT ON - the watch beeps but not the phone

when I activate the doorbell camera with Bluetooth off the watch is silent but the phone beeps.

is this my problem ? They didn’t mirror!

thanks for any help. LBH

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Answer 5

lbhough Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 31, 2023 12:10 PM in response to ASTRO24

Yes I have an Apple Watch. You asked if I get the notification when phone is locked. As I said above, i ALWAYS get the notification! On the phone ! Locked or not locked. The problem is sometimes I get audio along with it and sometimes I don’t. Thank you for trying to help with this problem.

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Answer 6

lbhough Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 2, 2023 4:57 AM in response to mingoslkd

Hello Mingoslkd - thank you very much for the detailed explanation regarding notification options in Apple Watch.

I examined every app on the watch and none of them turn the notifications off.

And after checking them all, I received another text message on the iphone without audio.

I believe I have checked everything suggested. When I tried to turn Bluetooth off for awhile it looked like turning the watch back on turned on the BT automatically ? Do you recommend that I completely turn the watch off and BT off to see if that fixes this audio glitch? SOME messages are received with audio and some are not.

Thank you . LBH

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erratic audio on iphone notifications

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