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iPhone 4: Text Tone, Lock Sounds Stop Working

For the last month, my iPhone 4 (iOS 4.3.2) just stops playing the Text Tone when I receive a text message and the lock screen Sounds also stop working. Pretty much the only tone that is working correctly consistently is the ringtone for incoming voice calls.

When I go to Settings- Sounds- Ringtone - and choose the various options I get the sample sounds to choose the appropriate ringtone

When I go to Settings - Sounds - Text Tone - and try to sample the tones the phone simply vibrates. I cannot hear the tones at all


I have Settings - Sounds - Silent - Vibrate = ON

Sounds - Ringer and Alerts - Vibrate = OFF

Changing them around makes no difference at all.


When I reboot the phone, sometimes the text tone will work for a minute until the phone goes to sleep. Then the sounds stop again.


I have lock sounds turned on as well. Usually works for the first unlock, but if I unlock after a period of inactivity the sound goes away.


I've updated the OS, I've restored the phone. Nothing is working.

Posted on Apr 21, 2011 12:16 AM

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Posted on Apr 21, 2011 12:23 AM

I would try to reset all settings for starters, goto Settings>General>Reset>Reset All Settings. This does not delete anything, just resets all the system settings to default. See how that works for ya.

52 replies

Oct 28, 2011 6:18 PM in response to atlantasooner

I've had the same issue with my sounds working intermittently on my iPhone 4. A trip to the apple store got me a new phone only for the issue to repeat itself in one day. I was finally able to isolate it to it being when my bluetooth is enabled on my phone. I can't explain why but when Bluetooth is off it doesn't occur. When it's on my sounds only work intermittently.

Hope this helps because the frustration I've experienced figuring it out has been horrible. I guess I'm the real genius compared to the apple guys.

Nov 9, 2011 12:11 AM in response to atlantasooner

It took me about an hour to figure this out, but I finally solved the problem. In order to make your phone vibrate upon receiving text messages you must make sure the physical button on the side of the phone is set to silent (orange mark). Also it will show a bell unslashed (silent mode off) and a bell slashed (silent mode on). After that part, set tones to each setting such as Ringtone, Text Tone, New Voicemail, etc... (Settings > Sounds). Please make sure the volume is set to the lowest either by the buttons (+/-) on the side of the phone or the volume bar in Settings > Sounds. EXTRA! Settings > General > Accessibility. Scroll down to Hearing, turn on custom vibrations. You can either set them to individual contacts or choose a vibration from Settings > Sounds > Scroll down to Vibration Patterns, choose a pattern. FYI: S.O.S. is pretty nice. I hope this helps out everyone.


If for some reason this does not work, please reset all settings and reapply these directions. This is 100% working for me. I just bought my phone yesterday. (11/07/11)

Nov 28, 2011 7:00 PM in response to atlantasooner

I have the same problems. All tones except for Ringtones stop working including the lock screen sounds. I took my phone to the Genius bar and they told me to restore and set up as a new phone. I tried that and the symptoms still happened. So I took it back to the Genius bar and they swapped it out for a new phone as I was under warranty. Well I had the phone less than 48 hours and the same thing happens. All tones except for the ringtone stops working. Eventually they come back on, so it is intermittent.


I keep my bluetooth on because I pair it to my car radio. I have not tried turning off the bluetooth so I will give that a try. I first thought it might be the alert tones that I created using Garageband and also the Ringtone make app that I purchased in the App store. So I tried removing all created ringtones from my phone, but still the tones stopped working.


Each time I goto the Genius Bar my phone is working at the time. I would love to be at the Genius bar when the tones are not working.


I will continue to monitor this thread. Please post if you come up with other suggestions.


I should also note that at the time it stops working I only have a couple apps running in the background, so I know that I am not using all of my RAM. I also have turned my phone off completely.

Dec 14, 2011 2:45 PM in response to atlantasooner

Same issues here. Seems to happen after the recent IOS update. Called Apple Support and they said its hardware issue but I think its more of a software issue. Was told that I could swap it but I will have to pay $170 which I think is crap as its not a hardware problem as others have the same problem around the same time. Tempted to throw the phone against the wall and get a new Iphone4s off my insurance for $250 rather than paying $170 for a refurbished Iphone4.


Hope someone can find a fix as the so called geniuses in Apple stores don't have a clue and only know how to swap the phone rather than fixing it. What happens if the swapped Iphone have similar issues? Do Apple expect me continue paying $170 to swap with another Iphone with crappy IOS software? Is that how Apple is making money out of their products? Maybe those having the same issues can have a class action suit against Apple for faulty software and asking customers to pay for it.

Dec 16, 2011 9:36 AM in response to atlantasooner

iPhone 4, iOS 5.0.1, not jailbroken... With probably the solution:


Try and check if you have a paired and TURNED ON bluetooth headset/hands free. By default iOS redirects all sounds except the ringtone to the bluetooth headset.


I was experiencing the same issue, but nicole250 and leonfromeagleriver put me on the track. I went to my coat and found my headset turned on... As soon as I turned it off, all sounds came back to my phone, as usual and expected.


Before setting up an appointment with a "Genius" or to have your phone swapped out, try this.

iPhone 4: Text Tone, Lock Sounds Stop Working

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