When notifications stop appearing, it is tempting to reinstall the app or change several settings at once. Start smaller. The cause is often a quiet mode, a notification permission, or a battery setting that limits background activity. The important first step is to work out whether one app is affected or the whole phone is quiet.
First, check whether one app or every app is affected
- Only one app is affected: check that app’s notification permission and in-app settings.
- Every app is quiet: start with Focus, Do Not Disturb, sound, and power-saving settings.
- Alerts seem to be missing: ask someone to send a message, then check Notification Center or notification history if available. The alert may have arrived silently or been grouped.
Turn off quiet modes and check sound
On iPhone
- Open Control Center and check whether a Focus mode or Do Not Disturb is active.
- Open Settings > Focus and review any schedules or automations. A Focus mode may turn on at a particular time or location.
- Check whether the Focus settings allow notifications from the people and apps you need. If alerts are missing only at certain times, a scheduled Focus mode is a likely place to look.
On Android
- Swipe down to open Quick Settings and check Do Not Disturb.
- Open Settings and look under Notifications or Sound for schedules or rules that turn it on automatically. Names and menus vary by phone brand.
- Check that the phone is not set to silent or vibrate if you expect to hear a sound.
Quiet modes do not always block every visual alert. They may silence sounds, hide banners, or allow only selected people and apps. If notifications appear only after you open an app, continue to the battery and background-activity checks below.
Make sure the app is allowed to send notifications
On iPhone
- Open Settings > Notifications, then select the app.
- Turn on Allow Notifications.
- Choose where alerts should appear, such as Lock Screen, Notification Center, or Banners. Enable sounds if you want an audible alert.
- If the app’s notifications are included in Scheduled Summary, they may arrive in a batch instead of immediately. Review Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary.
On Android
- Open Settings > Apps, choose the app, then open Notifications. The exact route may differ by manufacturer.
- Make sure notifications are allowed. On Android 13 and later, apps generally need notification permission, so a newly installed app may not be allowed to alert you until you approve it.
- Check the app’s notification categories or channels. For example, message alerts may be enabled while promotional alerts are silent or disabled.
Some apps also have their own notification switches. If the phone’s settings look correct, open the app and check its notification preferences too.
Check battery saver and background activity
Some alerts are delivered only when an app can run or refresh in the background. Battery-saving features can delay that activity, especially when the phone is idle. If notifications arrive only after you open the app, this is an important clue.
- iPhone: Low Power Mode reduces background activity, including some automatic fetching. Try turning it off temporarily. You can also check Settings > General > Background App Refresh for the app, where applicable.
- Android: check Battery Saver and the affected app’s battery settings. Depending on the phone, you may be able to allow background use or choose a setting such as Unrestricted or Not optimized. Some manufacturers also put rarely used apps to sleep; look for sleeping or restricted apps in battery settings.
Allowing an app more background activity can use more battery, so reserve that change for apps whose alerts you need promptly rather than applying it to every app.
Rule out connection and device issues
Messaging and social apps often need an internet connection to receive new alerts. Try these checks:
- Open a webpage to confirm the phone is online.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see whether alerts return.
- If the connection keeps dropping, follow this guide to troubleshoot an unstable internet connection.
Also check a few less obvious possibilities:
- A smartwatch, connected car, tablet, or computer may be receiving or mirroring the alert.
- A work-managed phone or work profile may restrict some notifications.
Restart the phone and update the app
Once the settings look right, restart the phone and install available system and app updates. A restart can clear a temporary glitch, while updates may fix notification bugs. If only one app remains affected, update it first and then test again.
If that app also freezes or closes unexpectedly, the problem may be broader than notifications. Follow these steps for an app that keeps crashing on Android or iPhone before assuming the phone’s notification system is at fault.
If one app still will not send alerts
On Android, Reset app preferences may help when a changed permission or background setting is difficult to find. It generally restores default preferences for apps, including some disabled apps and restrictions, but does not erase your personal app data. You may need to review the settings again afterward. The exact wording and effects can vary by device.
On iPhone, consider deleting and reinstalling the affected app only after confirming that its important data is saved to an account or backed up. Some apps store information locally, and deleting them can remove it. If only one app still fails after the system settings are correct, check the app developer’s support guidance.
If you use a third-party launcher or theme on Android, temporarily switch back to the phone’s default launcher and theme as a test. This is not the first thing to change, but it can help if notifications are arriving and the problem is how they appear on screen.
When to stop troubleshooting
If notifications are missing across many apps even after checking quiet modes, permissions, battery restrictions, and the connection, review the phone maker’s support guidance. Avoid factory-resetting the phone just to fix notifications unless other options have failed and your data is backed up. A reset is disruptive, and it may not help if the underlying cause is an app service or account issue.
What to do next
Use the symptoms to choose the next check:
- Every app is silent: check Focus or Do Not Disturb.
- Only one app is affected: check its permission and in-app settings.
- Alerts arrive only after opening the app: review battery and background restrictions.
- Alerts fail when the phone is offline: investigate the connection.
Change one setting at a time and test again, so you can tell which step actually fixes the problem.