Apps are one of the most enjoyable things our mobile phones offer us, but if the app notification feature is iffy, the experience could be pesky — here is how to fix app notifications not working on Android smartphone.
In this tutorial, we will discuss 10 simple tricks to solve this problem. Apart from common devices running the Android operating system from big brands like Samsung, Transsion (Tecno, Infinix, iTel), Nokia, Huawei, and others, these tips are also applicable to smartphones from less popular device makers, so long the OS is Android.
10 Ways to Fix App Notifications Not Working on Android Smartphone
Reboot the Phone
By restarting your device, you can fix the majority of the most common issues that are often encountered on Android. Hence, we recommend this as the first step to take here, too.
When you reboot your phone, this will stop every background process/service that might be standing in the way of an app’s ability to push notifications.
Apart from that, this step will help refresh the core components of the phone if any of them crashed during the course of an operation.
After restarting your device, if the problem still persists, below are some other fixes you can try.
Check Your App’s Notification Settings
Consider reviewing the notification settings for the app in question.
The majority of mobile apps Android device owners often use contain their own collection of proprietary preferences that enable users to change the frequency of push alerts, the type of notifications they are interested in, in addition to other options.
Gmail, for example, lets you turn sync off completely. Therefore, while browsing the app’s settings you have to be sure you’ve not mistakenly pressed any button for turning off notifications.
If you couldn’t find the required settings in the app, check Android’s notification settings for it in Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App name] > Notifications.
It is worth noting that Android v8 Oreo and later OS versions have an enhanced notification system that lets you change settings for different types of alerts.
Switch Software Battery Optimizations Off
The Android OS offers AI-based software optimizations for improving battery life as well as preventing apps you do not use regularly to remain active in the background.
But the algorithms to ensure these are not yet perfect and can lead to problems when they suggest wrong predictions.
Unfortunately, when such a situation arises, your phone’s notification system is one of those areas most affected. If you are facing this issue, consider disabling these features for some time.
If your handset has stock Android, you can disable Adaptive Battery in Settings > Battery and switching it OFF for all mobile apps.
This step, however, could be overkill since you can simply disable battery optimizations for each app. You can do this under Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App name] > Advanced > Battery > Battery optimization.
Check If Your Device Has Proprietary Power Savers
Some smartphones provide even more power-saving options that block any app automatically, which are seen to be of trivial importance. Therefore, in addition to those bundled by Google, you should verify that your handset offers other in-house optimizations.
For example, there is a pre-loaded application that is called Security on Xiaomi mobile phones with several of such functions.
Make Sure Do Not Disturb Mode Is Off
In most of the Android-powered mobile devices, there is a dependable Do Not Disturb mode, which helps in suppressing all notifications, except for the few essential ones you would like to enable.
Software developers normally put the switch for this feature in places that are readily accessible, like beneath Quick Settings. For this reason, if you do not know it’s there, you might have set it on mistakenly.
To review your Do Not Disturb mode, start by swiping down the home screen. Then, you’ll see its icon — which has a moon-like or long-dash-like — with some other features there. If it is on, simply press it to put it off.
Or, head to Settings under Notifications or Sound, depending on where it is placed on your phone model.
Reinstall the App or Wait for Updates
If you are not receiving notifications for only a specific app, the software developers could have mistakenly released a buggy update, in which case you have three options.
You can choose to uninstall the mobile app and re-install it or wait for some time for an update to be released to solve the issue or downgrade it to an older version. On APKMirror, you can download an older version of many apps.
Confirm Background Data Is Not Enabled
Android v8 Oreo and higher versions let you stop apps’ access to Internet data in the background. While you might not have mistakenly enabled this option, whenever there is a notification problem, you could still check and confirm since if there is no internet access, a lot of apps won’t work.
The feature is under Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App name] > Data Usage > Background Data.
Confirm Data Saver Is Not On
With the Data Saver function, you can put a limit on the amount of data, used by apps when you aren’t on Wi-Fi. This will help reduce Internet data expenses.
But it also has its downsides, one of it can make you miss notifications.
To determine if the data saver mode is not responsible for app notifications not showing, use your device without the feature for a while (if it’s presently put on). To check it, go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Usage > Data Saver.
Manually Modify Sync Intervals
Google pulled the plug on the inbuilt option for tweaking sync intervals on Android. Fortunately, a number of 3rd-party software developers have designed alternatives.
One of them is an app known as Push Notification Fixer that helps you adjust sync timing easily.
You can modify the sync individually while on both mobile data and Wi-Fi connections. Further, you could increase it up to 15mins, which is Android default, and also reduce it to as low as 1min.
However, note that changing these preferences will have a significant impact on your phone’s battery life.
Confirm If the Mobile App Is Allowed to Work in the Background
If your smartphone runs Android 8 or higher versions, a feature is available for completely shutting off apps from working in the background when they are not in use. The options serve to allow you disable app that heavily consumes phone’s battery life.
Though it is surely a great feature that helps preserve your phone’s battery life from being drained by demanding apps, it can also bring about issues when turned on for crucial apps. Sadly, the Android OS normally modifies this setting automatically when necessary.
Thus, you should review the setting for those apps with notification issues.
Here is how to do so: Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App name] > Battery > Background Restriction.
By going through the tips given above, you should now be armed with enough information on how to fix app notifications not working on Android smartphone.
What is your experience concerning app notifications now working on Android?
