Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Notification Sound Issues After Updating to iOS 26 in 2025
If notifications suddenly stopped making noise after updating to iOS 26, it can be super annoying. That’s happened to quite a few folks. Basically, your alerts might still show up on screen, but no sound — leaving you wondering if your phone just doesn’t care anymore. This guide is here to help get that sound back, so you actually hear alerts again and stay in the loop.
How to Fix Notification Sounds After iOS 26
Check your volume and sound settings
This is obvious but worth mentioning — sometimes the simplest fix works. On an iPhone, if the volume is turned all the way down or the mute switch (if you still have one) is on, notifications won’t ring. So, start by jacking up the volume.
- Press the Volume Up button on the side of the device. Check whether the volume bar pops up and shows a high level.
- Or swipe down from the top-right corner (or swipe up from the bottom if you’ve got an older model) to open Control Center. Adjust the slider there to max.
Not sure why it works, but sometimes the sound just gets muted or the volume reset after an update. Might jump back to normal after a quick check.
Turn off Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb
iOS’s Do Not Disturb (or Focus modes on newer iPhones) can silence notifications if enabled. You’d think it’s obvious, but folks forget they have this on.
- Open Control Center.
- Look for the crescent moon icon—if it’s highlighted, tap it to disable Do Not Disturb.
On some setups, this setting sticks around after updates, so it’s worth double-checking. Expect notifications to come back with sound once it’s off. Sometimes it’s just a minor glitch like this that causes silent alerts.
Force restart your iPhone
When all else fails, a reset can clear out little bugs. Not sure why, but sometimes iOS just gets weird after the update — a force restart fixes weird glitches that aren’t any hardware fault.
- Quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears, then let go.
This isn’t a full wipe, just a reboot — but on some setups, it clears out the stuck settings that mess with sound.
Check notification settings for each app
The revamped notification controls can trip you up. On iOS 26, you might’ve changed settings unwittingly during the update, or they reset.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Make sure the apps you rely on for alarms, messages, emails, or social apps have Allow Notifications toggled on, and check the alert sounds are enabled.
Sometimes the sound gets turned off for specific apps or notification types, and it’s easy to overlook until you miss an alert. Confirm this step if your notifications seem silent across the board.
Reset All Settings (as a last resort)
If nothing else fixes it, you might need to reset all system settings. Yes, that resets your Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and display preferences, but keeps your photos and messages safe. Basically, it’s like turning the settings dial back to default.
- Head to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Choose Reset All Settings. You’ll be asked for your passcode.
Once done, recheck your notification sounds. This has fixed the problem on a couple of devices, but sometimes, it takes a few reboots or tweaks afterward.
Additional Tips & Common Pitfalls
Keep an eye on these little things that might trip you up:
- Check for a pending iOS update – sometimes Apple issues quick patches for bugs like this. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If you’re connected via Bluetooth, disconnect it temporarily; Bluetooth headsets or speakers can hijack audio outputs, making it seem like your device is silent.
- If all else fails, consider restoring the iPhone via iTunes/Finder or using the latest firmware from Apple’s site, especially if you think it’s a deep software glitch.
Wrap-up
These steps should hopefully bring your notification sounds back after the recent update. It’s always annoying when updates cause unexpected issues, but more often than not, it’s just a settings hiccup or a minor glitch. Just remember to check your volume, do not disturb modes, app notification settings, and give a reboot a shot. Sometimes, the simplest things fix what seems complex.
Summary
- Volume turned up and not muted
- Do Not Disturb or Focus modes disabled
- Force restart to clear minor bugs
- Notification settings correct for each app
- All settings reset, if needed; backup beforehand just in case
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, these fixes get your notification sounds working again. Sometimes it’s just a little glitch needing a nudge, and rest assured, these steps cover most of the common causes. If not, a call to Apple Support might be next — but in the meantime, give these a try. Good luck!