5 Best Fixes for iMessage Sound Effects Not Working

iMessage is a great way to keep in touch with your loved ones. With the latest software updates, you can verify your contacts through the Contact Key Verification feature. iMessage also includes in-app sound effects to alert you about various actions, just like other apps. Needless to say, it can be a bummer if the iMessage Sound Effects are not working on your iPhone.

If you are experiencing issues with the sound effects in the Messages app, you are not alone. There have been complaints from users who have encountered this problem. However, there are some solutions that can help fix the problem. In this post, we will share some of these solutions that work for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.

1. Force Quit and Relaunch Messages App

This might sound very obvious. But while facing the same issue on my iPhone, this was the very first solution that helped. Doing this gives the Messages app a fresh start.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: On the home screen, swipe up and hold to reveal the background app windows.

Step 2: Swipe right to look at the Messages app window and swipe up to remove it.

Step 3: Relaunch the app to see if the problem still persists.

On Mac

Step 1: Click the Apple icon at the top-left corner and select Force Quit.

Step 2: Select Messages from the list of apps and click on Force Quit.

Step 3: Relaunch Messages and check if the problem is solved.

2. Check if Sound Effects Are Enabled (Mac)

You should check if the sound effects are enabled if iMessage is still not making sound. These steps only apply to Mac users.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, type Messages, and press Return.

Step 2: Click on Messages at the top-left corner and select Settings.

Step 3: Under the General tab, ensure that the Play sound effects option is enabled.

Step 4: Close the window and check if the problem is solved.

3. Disable Silent Mode (iPhone and iPad)

If the text message sound or tone is not working on your iPhone or iPad, you need to disable Silent Mode. You can enable Silent Mode to silence notification sounds. But it can also turn off in-app sound effects.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2: Tap on Sounds and Haptics. Then, use the volume slider to increase the sound volume.

Step 3: Close Settings and open the Messages app to check if the problem is solved.

You can also refer to our post to learn more ways of disabling Silent Mode on iPhone or iPad.

4. Enable iMessage Again

If you are still facing the same issue, we suggest enabling iMessage again on your device. This will download all your chats again and restore the app to default settings.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on Messages.

Step 2: Tap the toggle next to iMessage to disable the service.

Step 3: Wait for some time and enable iMessage again.

Step 4: Close Settings and open the Messages app to check if the problem is solved.

On Mac

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, type Messages, and press Return.

Step 2: Click on Messages at the top-left corner and select Settings.

Step 3: Select the iMessage app and click on Sign Out.

Step 4: Wait for some time and then sign in again to iMessage.

Step 5: Close the window and check if the problem is solved.

5. Update Messages App

If none of the solutions have worked, updating the Messages app is the last option. This will install a newer version of that app devoid of any bugs or glitches that might be causing this issue.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on General.

Step 2: Tap on Software Update and install it if one is available.

Step 3: Once installation is complete, check if the problem is solved.

On Mac

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight Search, type Check For Software Updates, and press Return.

Step 2: If an update is available, download and install it.

Step 3: Open the Messages app and check if the problem is solved once installed.

Sound Check

These solutions will help if iMessage sound effects are not working on your Apple device. Speaking of sound, you can also send voice messages using iMessage on your iPhone. However, some users report issues of low volume with voice messages. If you are facing the same, refer to our post to fix iMessage voice messages playing at low volume.