I have cellular data and notifications on but when I’m off the WiFi I don’t get any push notifications or text messages

iPhone 6

iOS 11

Posted on Oct 29, 2017 12:49 PM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 29, 2017 12:55 PM

There are a few things that could be going on. Depending on what you are expecting to get push notifications for, make sure that those apps are set to use cellular data. Text messages, at least true text messages, which as SMS, are a carrier function, and they rely on the cellular signal, not necessarily cellular data. If you can receive and make a phone all, you should be able to receive a text message, as long as your cellular account has SMS provisioned on it. If this is the case, you may need to check with your cellular provider. Also, check Settings>Notifications and then check the apps that you are expecting notifications from and make sure they are turned on.


If you are referring to iMessage, the blue text bubble, those rely on data. Cellular data would need to be on for messages. If you are away from the house and on cellular, can you do anything that requires the internet, such as using Safari?

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 29, 2017 12:55 PM in response to Community User

There are a few things that could be going on. Depending on what you are expecting to get push notifications for, make sure that those apps are set to use cellular data. Text messages, at least true text messages, which as SMS, are a carrier function, and they rely on the cellular signal, not necessarily cellular data. If you can receive and make a phone all, you should be able to receive a text message, as long as your cellular account has SMS provisioned on it. If this is the case, you may need to check with your cellular provider. Also, check Settings>Notifications and then check the apps that you are expecting notifications from and make sure they are turned on.


If you are referring to iMessage, the blue text bubble, those rely on data. Cellular data would need to be on for messages. If you are away from the house and on cellular, can you do anything that requires the internet, such as using Safari?

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I have cellular data and notifications on but when I’m off the WiFi I don’t get any push notifications or text messages

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