When notifications go missing, the problem is almost never the app itself. In most cases, a phone setting is holding back or hiding the alerts. Follow the order below.
In this article
1. Do Not Disturb and Focus modes
- Android: pull down the notification shade and check whether Do Not Disturb is on. Also check Modes or Routines (sleep, work, driving) that turn on automatically at certain times.
- iPhone: open Control Center and check whether a Focus is active (moon, bed, car, briefcase). Under Settings › Focus, review the automatic schedules and the apps allowed in each mode.
2. The app’s notification permission
- Android: Settings › Notifications › App notifications and turn the app on. Tap it and check its categories (for example, in WhatsApp: messages, groups, calls).
- iPhone: Settings › Notifications › choose the app › turn on Allow Notifications and check Lock Screen, Notification Center and Banners.
3. Battery optimization closing the app (Android)
Many brands close background apps to save battery, and notifications only arrive when you open the app.
- Settings › Apps › choose the app › Battery.
- Choose Unrestricted (or Don’t optimize).
- On Xiaomi phones, also turn on Autostart for the app. On Samsung, remove the app from the Sleeping apps list (Settings › Battery › Background usage limits).
4. Lock screen
- Android: Settings › Notifications › Notifications on lock screen › show all.
- iPhone: Settings › Notifications › Show Previews › Always (or When Unlocked). If you use Scheduled Summary, some notifications only appear at the summary times.
5. WhatsApp: settings inside the app
- Settings › Notifications: check that message and group notifications are turned on.
- Muted chats and groups don’t ring: open the chat › contact name › Mute notifications.
- If you use WhatsApp Web, your phone may stop notifying you while the computer is active. See WhatsApp Web not connecting.
6. Internet and updates
Notifications depend on the internet: if Wi-Fi drops when the screen turns off, they arrive late. See phone won’t connect to Wi-Fi. Update the system and the app, and restart the phone.
FAQ
Notifications arrive, but with no sound.
Check the notification volume (separate from media volume), silent mode and the sound chosen for the app’s notification category.
Only one app stopped notifying after an update.
Reinstall the app or, on Android, clear its cache under Settings › Apps › app › Storage › Clear cache.
