Even though text messaging is being overshadowed by so many instant messengers, it still has its value and usage. Many users heavily rely on it and text on daily basis. Some of those users have had a hard time with Text message notifications which are, reports say, not working on Android.
If you are experiencing similar issues, learn about applicable solutions below.
Table of contents:
- Check notification settings
- Check in-app settings
- Set your SMS client as the default one
- Clear app’s cache and data
- Reinstall the app or uninstall updates
- Reset your device to factory settings
Why is my phone not notifying me when I get text messages?
1. Check notification settings
The first thing you need to do is to inspect the notification settings. Chances are that notifications are either disabled or are not loud but rather silenced. Once you are certain that notifications are working as intended, test text messages.
Here’s what you need to do in order to enable notifications:
- Firstly, make sure that the DND (Do Not Disturb) feature is off.
- Open Settings.
- Choose Apps & notifications.
- Select your SMS app from the list of available apps.
- Tap Notifications.
- Ensure that all options are enabled.
2. Check in-app settings
Some stock apps offer a variety of tweaks and settings within them. Make sure to check those settings, as well, and confirm that everything is the way it’s supposed to be. There’s a chance that something is wrong with the app settings.
- Open your SMS app.
- Open Settings.
- Ensure that all notification options are enabled.
- Alternatively, check the Message center and ensure that the number is correct.
If text message notifications are still not working on your Android, move to the next step.
3. Set your SMS client as the default one
This one is important, especially if you use a third-party messaging app instead of the pre-installed one. In order for it to have access to incoming messages and notifies you, you’ll need to make it the default SMS app.
Here’s how to choose your default SMS app:
- Open Settings.
- Open Apps & notifications.
- Scroll down and open Default apps. On some Android skins, open All apps > 3-dot menu > Default apps.
- Under the SMS section, select the one messaging app you want to use.
4. Clear app’s cache and data
Alternatively, you would want to reset the app settings. That can be done (like with any other app) by clearing locally-stored cache and data.
Follow these steps to clear cache and data from the default SMS app:
- Open Settings.
- Select Apps & notifications.
- Expand All apps.
- Open your default SMS app.
- Tap Storage.
- Clear cache and data.
- Reboot your device.
- Set it as the default SMS app again.
5. Reinstall the app or uninstall updates
If the issue is still there and notifications are not coming through, try reinstalling the app or disabling /re-enabling it. Have in mind that you can’t uninstall or even temporarily disable certain system apps. In that case, you can just replace them with a 3rd-party app.
- And, again navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > All apps > SMS app.
- Tap Disable and uninstall updates (system apps can’t be removed completely) or uninstall it if possible.
- Reboot your device and re-enable the SMS app.
- Then, open the Play Store and reinstall the app or just update it.
6. Reset your device to factory settings
Finally, if everything failed, your last resort is to reset your device to factory settings. Firstly, make sure that your firmware is up-to-date. Maybe that solves the problem. If that does nothing, back up your media files to a PC (or Google Photos) and settings to Google Drive. That way it’ll be easier to restore everything. And, once you are prepared, reset your device to factory settings by following the steps below.
- Back up everything thoroughly.
- Open Settings.
- Select System.
- Tap Reset options.
- Choose Erase all (factory reset).
- Confirm the selection.
With that said, we can call it a wrap. Thank you for reading and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more articles like this.
