Intermittent text message notifications on iPhone 16 Pro

Question

Level 1

7 points

Intermittent text message notifications on iPhone 16 Pro

I'm posting my issue here to see if others are also experiencing this same issue. I realize this is a nuanced issue, so please, those who like to make suggestions on what to do to fix it, I can assure you I have spent countless hours with Apple Support, resetting my phone, changing various settings, etc. I'm now looking here for others who are also experiencing this issue:

I've been dealing with an intermittent notification issue where (in text messages only - I do regularly get other notifications from other apps) I don't receive sound alerts/vibrations/sometimes even any visual indication that a message has been received. My sound is fully functional and volume is on when this issue happens. It happens when my phone is in lock and it does not matter if the person sending me a message has an iPhone or android. I also sometimes get notifications from a specific message-sender at one time in the day, and then later that same day, no notification from the same sender. The next day will be totally different. Some days I get all my messages delivered with notifications, other days I don't.

I am running the latest version of iOS (26.1), have an iPhone 16 Pro, and have been in regular contact with Apple Support since August 2025. In accordance with their suggestions, I've done anything and everything "senior tech advisors" at Apple Support who are working with "engineering" have said to do.

As Apple Support has no current ideas on what is causing this problem/how to resolve it, I have been asked to repeat what I've done since November, 2025: 1) take a video of when the issue occurs 2) send that video into the tech advisor who will *fingers crossed* be at work when the issue presents and then call me back shortly after the issue occurred to run another diagnostic.

My phone is not even a year old yet and it does not perform basic functions. In my most recent conversations with Apple Support, I asked that they send me a loaner phone so THEY can work out the issues with this phone and the "senior tech advisor" said they would not do this.

For those who may be experiencing this same issue, it presents like this: I send a text message to someone, the regular sending-a-text sound occurs. I lock out my phone. The person replies and there is no sound indication that accompanies their incoming message. Simple as that.

Really appreciate anyone's similar experiences...

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: No Message Notifications (**Intermittent**)

Posted on Dec 26, 2025 9:37 AM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

205,443 points

Jan 29, 2026 11:46 PM in response to ___Antony___

"I have this exact issue. I gave been told the same thing, but refused to go past the last update before the “liquid glass” update. i have resolved it by making a habit of killing the messages app whenever i navigate away, but of course sometimes i forget. if the messages app is completely dead it usually makes notification chimes fwiw. [...]Hope that info at least helps a little.[...]"

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👍🏾 Excellent job troubleshooting this!

Report this Bug Fix to Apple:

Do your Part: These are just user-to-user forms. Apple barely reads the forums as it is on their own time and will. Apple will know nothing of this concern, if you do not spread the word to them. So, report it to Apple. They wont get back to you directly, but the more they hear about this, the more likely they will look into, knowing what is going on. They will know knowing of this fix, if you don't report it to them.

Go Here: Feedback - iPhone- Apple
Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
Comment: on the issue, the solution, and how you can across it. Include the URL of this thread.
Proceed from there as necessary.

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Answer 2

Jan 29, 2026 11:41 PM in response to LaChez519

I have this exact issue. I gave been told the same thing, but refused to go past the last update before the “liquid glass” update.

i have resolved it by making a habit of killing the messages app whenever i navigate away, but of course sometimes i forget.

if the messages app is completely dead it usually makes notification chimes fwiw.

hopefully apple can get themselves together with this type of thing rather than the direction they’re headed with more ui noise and more settings hidden deeper so you have the illusion of choice.

I’m on a 16 pro max, but I wouldn’t have bought it if id known where the os has gone (came from an 8max…. Yep it lasted well) when you have to live with it not just have the shiny phone test in the shop.

Hope that info at least helps a little.

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Answer 3

Zurarczurx

Level 5

4,473 points

Jan 30, 2026 12:35 AM in response to LaChez519

Intermittent SMS notifications have been a problem with aIl my iPhones since Apple allowed send/receive on other Apple devices (e.g. Mac, iPad). I reported it to Apple when I first noticed it but it's still happening.

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