iPhone notification issues are a common frustration, often caused by misconfigured settings, software bugs, or connectivity problems. The most effective solutions involve checking both system-wide and app-specific notification settings, ensuring proper background app functionality, and addressing potential iOS glitches. Users frequently report that notifications fail to appear despite being enabled, particularly after iOS updates or when using features like Focus mode or Low Power mode.

Key findings from the sources include:

• Notification settings must be enabled for each app individually in both iPhone Settings and within the app itself ^[1][4][5]
• Background App Refresh and proper internet connectivity are critical for push notifications to function ^[3][9]
• Do Not Disturb, Focus modes, and Low Power Mode commonly interfere with notifications ^[1][3][5]
• Reinstalling apps or resetting settings often resolves persistent issues ^[2][6]

Troubleshooting iPhone Notification Problems

Basic Notification Settings and Configuration

The first step in resolving notification issues is verifying that all required settings are properly configured. Many users overlook that notifications must be enabled in multiple locations: the iPhone's system settings, individual app settings, and sometimes within the apps themselves. Start by navigating to Settings > Notifications and selecting the problematic app. Ensure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on, and choose an alert style (banners or alerts) rather than "None" ^[4]. The alert style determines how notifications appear on your lock screen and in the notification center.

For apps that still don’t notify you:

• Check in-app notification settings: Some apps like WhatsApp or Slack have separate notification toggles within their own settings menus ^[5]
• Enable notification previews: Go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and select "Always" to ensure content appears even when the phone is locked ^[4]
• Verify notification sounds: Tap "Sounds" in the app’s notification settings and select a distinct alert tone ^[4]
• Enable Badge App Icons: This ensures red notification badges appear on app icons ^[1]

A common oversight is failing to enable Background App Refresh, which allows apps to fetch new content when not actively in use. This setting is found under Settings > General > Background App Refresh and should be turned on for both Wi-Fi and cellular data ^[3]. Without this enabled, many apps won’t receive push notifications until opened manually.

Advanced Fixes for Persistent Issues

When basic settings checks don’t resolve the problem, deeper troubleshooting is required. Many users report that notifications stop working after iOS updates, particularly with iOS 18, due to software bugs or corrupted settings ^[3][5]. The following steps address these more complex scenarios:

• Disable and re-enable notifications: Turn off "Allow Notifications" for the app, restart your iPhone, then re-enable notifications. This resets the notification pipeline for that app ^[6]
• Reset all settings: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This preserves your data while restoring all system settings to default, often fixing notification glitches ^[2]
• Reinstall problematic apps: Delete the app, restart your iPhone, then reinstall it from the App Store. This clears any corrupted app data that might be blocking notifications ^[1][3]
• Check for carrier settings updates: Go to Settings > General > About. If an update is available, install it, as carrier settings can affect notification delivery ^[5]

For issues specific to Messages notifications, which are frequently reported:

• Ensure "Show in History" is enabled in Settings > Notifications > Messages ^[6]
• Verify that "Repeat Alerts" is set to at least "Once" for persistent notifications ^[4]
• Check that the conversation isn’t muted (swipe left on the conversation in Messages and tap "Unmute") ^[1]

If notifications work intermittently or only when the app is open, the issue may be related to Low Power Mode or Low Data Mode, both of which restrict background activity. Disable these under Settings > Battery and Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, respectively ^[5][9]. Users on iOS 18 should also check Focus mode settings, as these can silently filter notifications even when they appear enabled ^[3].