iPhone XS Sound Notifications Not Working After Update? Here’s How to Fix It

Just updated your iPhone XS and now your sound notifications stopped working? You’re not alone. This issue can affect ringtones, text alerts, or app notifications — even if your speaker is fine and you can hear sound during setup.

Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix notification sounds that won’t play after an iOS update.

Step 1: Check Notification Settings for Each App

Sometimes an update can reset or change notification settings.

Go to Settings → Notifications.
Tap on the app that’s not making sounds (like Messages or Phone).
Make sure Allow Notifications is turned ON.
Check that Sounds is enabled and a sound tone is selected.

Step 2: Make Sure Do Not Disturb is Turned Off

Do Not Disturb mutes calls and alerts while your phone is locked or during a scheduled time.

Go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb.
Make sure it’s OFF.
You can also check quickly by swiping down from the top-right to open Control Center — make sure the crescent moon icon isn’t lit up.

Step 3: Reset All Settings

If the problem started after the update and isn’t tied to a specific app, resetting your settings might help.

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

This won’t erase your data but will reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, and other system preferences.

Step 4: Factory Reset (Optional)

If nothing’s worked so far, a factory reset might fix deeper glitches — especially after a major update.

Backup your data first via iCloud or iTunes.

Then:

Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

Once the phone reboots, set it up as new or restore from your backup.

Step 5: DFU Mode Restore (Last Resort)

If even a factory reset doesn’t work, a DFU restore reloads both the firmware and software of your iPhone.

You’ll need a computer with the latest version of iTunes or Finder on macOS.

Here’s how:

Turn off your iPhone XS.
Connect it to your computer with a Lightning cable.
Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
Hold the Side button until the screen turns black.
Once the screen is black, hold both the Side button and Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
Release the Side button, but keep holding Volume Down for another 5–10 seconds.
If the screen stays black and iTunes or Finder detects your iPhone in recovery mode, you’re in DFU mode.
On your computer, click Restore iPhone.

Still Not Working?

If your iPhone XS still won’t play notification sounds:

Check if the problem happens only with certain apps (could be app-specific).
Visit an Apple Store or contact Apple Support — it may be a deeper iOS bug that needs patching.