How to fix an iPhone X that stops showing notifications after an iOS update [Troubleshooting Guide]

While software updates can yield to a good or bad outcome, keeping mobile devices, particularly smartphones up-to-date is recommended. Post update issues are apparently tied to a software error, which therefore can be dealt with by some workarounds. Such errors can occur regardless of how powerful and sturdy a receiving device is. Even Apple’s latest flagship device, the iPhone X for instance can also succumb into post-update issues. Among the reported post-update problems concerning the iPhone X by far is on the notifications that stopped showing after installing the new iOS version.

If you happen to end up having the same issue after updating your iPhone X to the latest iOS version, then the following procedures may help you. The methods I demonstrate below are generic solutions that can be used to troubleshoot minor system errors inflicted by some update bugs. Feel free to refer to these walkthroughs, whenever you need more inputs.

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Before anything else, if you have other issues with your device, try to browse through our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed several issues with this device. Odds are that we’ve already published a post that tackles similar problems. Try finding issues that have similar symptoms with what you currently have and feel free to use the solutions we’ve suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you still need our help, then fill up our questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

How to fix an iPhone X that stops showing notifications after an iOS update

Before you begin to troubleshoot, check and ensure that your iPhone has Internet access. You may not have received any online notifications because your device is not connected. To see if you can connect, open the Safari app or any other browser app you have then navigate to websites. If you can access the websites, your device has Internet access. Otherwise, you will need to deal with network connectivity issues first. If the Internet is working but still you’re not getting notifications for both online and offline apps, then at this point, you can start to troubleshoot your iPhone X with these subsequent solutions.

First solution: Restart your iPhone X (soft reset).

The very first recommended solution to try on when things suddenly stops working properly on your smartphone is a restart or soft reset. It’s the simplest yet most effective solution to various types of software-related errors in mobile devices including Android and iOS smartphones. It works by wiping any minor bugs and errors from the device system and likewise dumps temporary files and data that are stored as cache on the internal memory. As a result, your device will have a clean fresh start. If you haven’t yet done so, then follow these steps to soft reset or restart your iPhone X:

  1. Press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume button for a few seconds.
  2. When you see the Slide to Power off command, release the buttons.
  3. Then, drag the Power off slider to the right. Give your iPhone several seconds to power off.
  4. After about 30 seconds, press and hold the Side/Power button again until the Apple logo appears, then release.

You can also use the settings menu to shut down then restart your iPhone X. Here’s how it’s carried out:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap the option to Shut Down. Doing so powers off your iPhone X.
  4. After a few seconds, press the Side/Power button again to turn it back on.

Both these methods won’t affect any data saved on the internal storage of your device, hence doesn’t result to data loss.

Second solution: Install pending app updates.

Apps must be compatible with the current version of operating system on your device for them to remain supported. Otherwise, they won’t be able to work as expected. This is one of the reasons why it’s also imperative to update apps after a new iOS version is implemented. If you haven’t set your device to auto-install updates, chances are that some of your apps may no longer be compatible with the new system of your phone and so they fail to show notifications. In that case, you’ll need to manually check for pending app updates to install on your iPhone X. Here’s how:

  1. Tap the App Store icon from the Home screen. Doing so will open the App Store Main screen.
  2. Scroll to the bottom right of the App Store Main screen then tap the Updates icon. A list of apps with pending updates then populates the screen.
  3. Tap the Update button next to an app to install pending update for individual apps.
  4. If multiple app updates are available, then tap the Update All button instead. Doing so will install all app updates simultaneously.

Restart your device when all your apps are finished update to ensure all new software changes are properly implemented and errors will be cleared.

Third solution: Manage or reset all settings on your iPhone X.

Notifications are hidden by default on your iPhone X. This means that your notifications will appear even when the screen is locked. If it’s not working this way since a new software update is implemented, then it’s possible that the new update has altered your notification settings automatically. And this is what you need to find out. If necessary, modify notification preview options. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Notifications.
  3. Tap Show Previews.
  4. Tap to select Always.

This will set your device to always show previews on your iPhone X lock screen whenever new notifications arrive. If that doesn’t work, then you can proceed with all settings reset to clear all current system settings and restore the defaults or original values. Unlike a factory reset, this settings reset won’t delete any data you’ve stored on your iPhone’s internal memory so you won’t lose your personal files in the process. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Tap Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll to and tap Reset.
  4. Select the option to Reset all settings.
  5. If prompted, enter your device passcode.
  6. Then tap to confirm system settings reset.

Your iPhone will restart automatically when the reset is finished. Wait until it’s done rebooting then set up and configure necessary options accordingly. You will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network to get your iPhone X online again.

Fourth solution: Factory reset your iPhone X.

If the prior reset doesn’t work and the issue remains, then you can proceed with a factory reset. This will wipe everything out from your device system including downloaded apps and files, personal information, customized settings, and other added contents. Any software bugs and malware will also be deleted in the process. Before you start though, back up all your important data for safekeeping. And when you’re all set, follow these steps:

  1. Tap Settings from Home.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Reset.
  4. Select the option to Erase All Content and Settings.
  5. If prompted, enter your passcode to continue.
  6. Tap Erase iPhone to confirm action.

Wait until the reset is finished and your iPhone reboots. When it’s finished rebooting, you can proceed with the initial setup.

Fifth solution: Restore your iPhone X in iTunes.

Restoring your iPhone to a prior iOS backup can also be considered among the last options if none of the previous methods is able to offer a resolution. To get this done, you will need to use a computer either a Windows PC or Mac, with the latest version of iTunes software installed. Then proceed with these steps:

  1. Connect your iPhone X to the computer using the supplied USB or Lightning cable.
  2. Open iTunes on the computer and wait for it to recognize your iPhone.
  3. Select your iPhone X from the list of devices in iTunes.
  4. Click the option to back up your iPhone X to iCloud or to iTunes on this computer, if necessary.
  5. Then click the Restore button to reset your device.
  6. If prompted, click Restore again to confirm action.
  7. Wait until iTunes is finished downloading and installing the new software for your iPhone X then set up your device as new.

If the usual iOS restore doesn’t work, then you can carry out a recovery mode restore or DFU mode restore on your iPhone X instead. A more detailed walkthrough on how to carry out a recovery mode restore and DFU mode restore on the iPhone X can be found on our Troubleshooting Page. Feel free to visit the page when you need more help with the steps.

Other option

You can report or escalate the issue to your carrier or Apple Support for further assistance and recommendations. Doing so will make them assess the problem thoroughly and/or develop a fix patch, if necessary.

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