If you are NOT receiving text notification alerts, you can review and fine-tune them by going to Settings > Apps > Messages. First, make sure Immediate Delivery is enabled so that notifications appear right away without delay. Next, check that alerts are allowed on the Lock Screen, Notification Center, and as Banners—this ensures you don’t miss messages regardless of how you use your phone. Also confirm that Sounds and Badges are enabled so you hear an alert and see the red unread count on the app icon.
Under Customize Notifications, you will notice categories such as Unknown Senders, Transactions, and Promotions. These let you decide which types of messages deserve your attention. For example, you may want to silence promotions but still get immediate alerts for personal or transaction-related messages. Adjusting these categories can help reduce clutter while keeping important alerts active.
Lastly, double-check that Emergency Contact Alerts are enabled. This setting makes sure you receive critical notifications from important contacts even if your device is on silent or in Do Not Disturb mode.
See the Pic below, which is self-explanatory. Made on iOS 18.6.1
