To stop iPhone text message alerts from repeating, open Settings > Notifications > Messages > Customize Notifications, tap Repeat Alerts, and choose Never. By default, your iPhone may repeat a message alert if you don’t look at it, which is why the same text can chime more than once.
Quick Answer
Settings > Notifications > Messages > Customize Notifications > Repeat Alerts > Never.
Turn Off Repeat Alerts
- Open Settings and tap Notifications.
- Scroll down and tap Messages.
- Tap Customize Notifications at the bottom.
- Tap Repeat Alerts and choose Never.
You can also choose to repeat alerts once or several times if you want reminders for messages you haven’t seen.
Why a Text Can Still Alert Twice
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Repeat Alerts is on | Set it to Never |
| Two messages arrived close together | That’s two alerts, not a repeat |
| Apple Watch or another Apple device also alerts | Adjust notifications on the other device |
| A group chat is busy | Swipe left on the conversation and tap the bell to hide alerts |
| A message filter or third-party app sends its own alert | Check that app’s notification settings |
Quiet Messages Without Missing Them
- Hide alerts for one chat: Swipe left on it in Messages and tap the bell icon.
- Change the sound or vibration: Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone. See how to change text message vibration.
- Focus modes: Allow only certain people’s texts during Focus.
- LED flash alerts: If the flash also blinks, see how to stop the iPhone light from flashing.
Mail alerts too noisy? See how to turn off email notifications for all accounts or just one.
Troubleshooting
- Customize Notifications isn’t shown: Make sure Allow Notifications is on for Messages; the option appears below it.
- Alerts still repeat: Restart the iPhone after changing the setting.
- No alerts at all: Check Allow Notifications and Focus settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do repeat alerts sound?
They repeat a couple of minutes apart until you view the notification or reach the number you chose.
Does this affect other apps?
No. The Repeat Alerts setting you change here applies to Messages.
Does it stop vibration too?
Yes. Repeated sound and vibration both stop.
Summary
- Open Settings > Notifications > Messages.
- Tap Customize Notifications.
- Tap Repeat Alerts.
- Choose Never.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.