iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Users Complain of Missing SMS Text Messages and Message Notifications

[MacRumors]

Since the release of the new iPhone 12 models, many new iPhone owners have been running into problems with the Messages app. There are complaints from users who aren't seeing SMS messages from friends, are missing text messages in group chats, and who aren't getting notifications when text messages are incoming.

It's not clear if this is a problem that's related specifically to the iPhone 12 models or if it's a wider issue with iOS 14.1 and iOS 14.2, but the majority of complaints appear to be from iPhone 12 owners.

Those who are experiencing missed SMS messages are simply not seeing some text messages that are sent from Android devices, as MacRumors reader FraXis describes:

But I just upgraded to an iPhone 12 (coming from an iPhone 11 Max Pro), and I am in a group message with my kids. One of my kids is an Android user. Last night he came up to me and asked me why I didn't reply to his two text messages he sent to the group. I checked my iPhone, and I didn't receive any text messages from him in the group chat. He then showed me his phone, and sure enough, he had sent them to the group.

Most of the people who are missing SMS messages are not seeing them in group chats, but there are reports of some standalone messages not getting delivered. From MacRumors reader TheElmnt:

I'm having the exact same problem. It seems I'm having issues in group threads only when it has android users. I've been so confused in our messages the last few days. None of our conversations make sense. My friends and I just tested with iMessage and it doesn't seem to have any problems with just Apple users. I reported the bug to Apple. I just noticed this after upgrading to an iPhone 12 Pro from iPhone XS. Running iOS 14.1 on Verizon. I deleted every single text message on my phone and rebooted, turned iMessage off and back on. Hoping this helps.

There are also separate complaints of Messages being received, but no notification showing up. This is a problem that even pre-dates the iPhone 12 and iOS 14, as we've had earlier issues with it too. From MacRumors reader bmac4:

I am having the issue with just a single person and it's not SMS. Mine is iMessage. I was texting with my mom last night, and she updated to 14.2 on her XR in the process. Soon after, she stopped replying to my text. I sent her another one, and she said she never saw the text. Then I stopped receiving any alerts at all. I had to open the message app and check to see if a message was there. Sure enough the phone never alerted, and there was no badge, but there was a message. iOS 14 is a total mess.

Some Verizon users have been able to solve their SMS messages by downloading the Verizon Message+ app, but it's not a complete fix for everyone and it doesn't work for all non-Verizon users. One reader also had success resetting network settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings), but that has not worked for others. Toggling off 5G also does not seem to be a solution.

This is likely a problem that carriers need to address with updated firmware or that Apple needs to fix in an upcoming software update. It appears to be a problem in both iOS 14.1 and iOS 14.2, and it's too soon yet to tell if iOS 14.3 is affected.

Are you having issues receiving some messages on iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Users Complain of Missing SMS Text Messages and Message Notifications

 

[coolaaron88]

This issue is still outstanding on the iOS 14.3 betas. It’s extremely annoying and I really hope Apple fixes it at some point.

 

[jerry16]

Wife has had this problem with her 12 Pro since day one. Verizon. No problems with the X she replaced.

 

[gjm87]

Actually had this issue on my iphone 11 before. Co worker with an android phone I never get notications from. Same thing is happing on my Iphone 12 pro max today as well.

 

[atlchamp]

This is a problem for me too! Verizon iPhone 12 pro

 

[lsh]

Yes, new iPhone 12 and 14.1. Missing messages are not consistent by person sending.

 

[Ted Lasso]

I thought I was going mad when I was receiving messages but didn’t notice the notification on my Apple Watch. This is it.

 

[ghanwani]

Are you having issues receiving some messages on iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models? Let us know in the comments.

How would I know if I'm not receiving some messages? This is why, I think, many people now prefer WhatsApp.

 

[michael31986]

Yea I’ve had this too but only since 14.2 tbh

 

[Mimmuz75]

The same problem with T-mobile, confirmation text from some services are never delivered, it's a big issue if you're using 2-factors authentication.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

Ive been having this issue for about a few weeks now. My wife is using a Samsung S20 and I'm using an iPhone 11 Pro running 14.2. There have been more than few times where she has texted me and I wont receive any notifications for a few hours. It's only when I just happen to look at my messages app where I see that she has texted me but hours before. Texting other people in my family who have iPhones has not been an issue.

 

[Browz]

You mean you can be friends with people who don't have iPhones?!

 

[rjp1]

Missing notifications has been going on since iOS 12.0. I haven't reliably received Mail, Discord, and Hangouts notifications for a couple of years. Glad it is spreading to more apps so maybe they will finally fix it.

 

[ghanwani]

...I really hope Apple fixes it at some point.

Don't worry, you won't be disappointed. It will surely be fixed by 2030.

 

[applicious84]

This makes the text delay on other iPhones a non-issue, at least when there's no text to reply to. I mean, get it together, Apple. These are like the most essential functions of a phone today. Make sure that your device can call, text, email, and take pictures before prioritizing ProRAW and emojis (though the new emojis are pretty awesome)

 

[HobbesInVA]

This problem goes back to at least iOS 13 and iphone 11.

 

[Master Atrus]

I feel so much better that it is big enough of a problem to make MacRumors. I've tried everything "they" say to fix the problem and nothing has worked. Definitely need either Apple or AT&T to do something.

 

[Berko]

I had a similar issue recently and did a "General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings" and it all went back to normal.

 

[Apple Desktop Bus (ADB)]

See plenty of others saying they're experiencing this problem. Please, if you want it resolved as quickly as possible, take a minute to go report it. The more people that report it, the quicker it'll be resolved. This is no different than voting, don't assume someone else will do it so that you don't have to. The more people that report it, the quicker they'll act to fix it. They track these reports and the more they get the more they prioritize them. 100 reports will get a little attention, 1,000 is better, and 100,000 is going to make it clear that it's a big issue that needs to be resolved. With hundreds of millions of iPhones out there, even 100,000 reports isn't many when it comes to knowing an issue is very widespread.

Take 30 seconds and make the report. It'll make a difference if everyone does it.

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[ProfessionalFan]

Started for me on 14.2 on my iPhone 12 Pro. Very annoying bug.

 

[sniffies]

Groundbreaking feature in iOS 15:

Fixed bugs from iOS 14

 

[Cenk]

this is not iPhone 12 issue. I've been having this issue since 14.2 I believe on my iPhone X.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I had a similar issue recently and did a "General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings" and it all went back to normal.

tried that, didn't fix anything for me.

 

[-DMN-]

This is what happens when you charge your iPhone without consulting Apple on which power adapter you should buy, so you can save the environment.

 

[trellus]

I've been having a related problem -- along with two of my friends who are also experiencing the problem -- with SMS in general. It's far flakier than I've ever, ever remembered it (yes, I know SMS is not guaranteed), with daily issues where I have texts that are marked "Not Delivered" and that require resending. This has been happening for the last 2 months or so. It's been god awful. My friends have iPhone 11's (one regular iPhone 11, one iPhone 11 Pro), I have an iPhone XS Max, but we've all been having this issue, and there's no pattern with respect to recipients.