In many cases, when people say iPhone Notifications are not working, they appear to be complaining about iPhone not playing the Notification Alert Sound.
In such cases, iPhone is delivering Notifications, but the Notification Alert sound is not playing on iPhone, due to the Ringer being switched OFF or due to iPhone being in Driving Mode or Do Not Disturb Mode.
In other cases, the problem of Notifications not appearing on iPhone could be due to Notifications being accidentally disabled and other reasons.
Notifications Not Working on iPhone
If Notifications are not working on iPhone, you are likely to miss important messages, emails, and other alerts. Hence, it is really important that you try to fix this problem, as early as possible.
1. Check Ringer Position
You won’t be able to hear Notifications, if the Ringer on your iPhone is set to silent mode. Hence, take a look at the switch on the left side of your iPhone.
Make sure the Ringer is placed in Ring Mode and it is not placed in Silent Mode (with Red color showing).
If the switch is set to Ring mode and you are still not receiving notification sounds, you can take a look at this article: No Sound on iPhone? Try These Tips.
2. Make Sure Notifications Are Enabled
The next step is to make sure that Notifications are allowed for Messages, WhatsApp and other essential Apps from which you want to receive Notifications.
1. Go to Settings > Notifications > Messages.
2. On the Messages screen, make sure Allow Notifications option is turned ON (green).
Also, make sure that you select the place where you want to see Notifications (Notification Center, Lock Screen or both).
3. Repeat the above steps for other Apps from which you want to receive Notifications.
3. Enable Vibrate on Silent Option
Enabling Vibrate on Silent option ensures that you do not miss important notifications, even when you device is placed in Silent Mode.
1. Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Sounds & Haptics.
2. On the next screen, enable Play Haptics in Silent Mode option.
This will ensure that your iPhone Vibrates, whenever a Notification is received in Silent Mode.
4. Disable Do Not Disturb Mode
iPhone won’t be able to provide you Call, Message and App Notifications, if it is in Do Not Disturb Mode.
1. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > select the active Schedule.
2. On the next screen, move the Slider next to Schedule to OFF position.
3. If you are not going to use this schedule, you can scroll down on the same screen and select the Delete option, to remove this Schedule from your iPhone.
5. Disable Driving Mode
As mentioned above, iPhone can automatically switch to Driving Mode, if it detects motion (you are travelling) and when it gets connected to the Bluetooth on your Car.
1. Go to Settings > Focus > Driving > tap on While Driving.
2. On the next screen, select the Manually option.
Note: If you find iPhone constantly switching back to Driving Modem, you can fix the problem by using steps as provided in this guide: How to Turn OFF Do Not Disturb While Driving on iPhone
6. Check Date & Time Settings
If notifications are getting delayed, the problem is usually due to “Date and Time” settings on your device being incorrect.
1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
2. On the next screen,make sure Set Automatically option is enabled and your iPhone is showing the correct Time Zone.
If the Time Zone is not correct, disable Set Automatically option and manually select the right Time Zone.