WhatsApp notification not showing in status bar can be frustrating. Especially if you are dependent on immediate notifications to keep you connected.
This is a common problem which can interrupt your conversation, leading to you missing important messages or even calls. However, understanding why the notifications don’t show up in the status bar is important in regaining these timely notifications.
In this guide, we’re going to get into some of the common culprits of WhatsApp notification not showing in status bar and list step-by-step fixes to bring those often vital notifications to life seamlessly.
Why is WhatsApp notification not showing in status bar?
The WhatsApp icon not showing in your status bar even though you are receiving new incoming messages is an annoying but very common problem.
Having a basic understanding of what factors are causing your WhatsApp notification not showing in status bar issue is a key to applying the right fix.
Here is the breakdown of the main factors that lead to the missing status bar icon.
Disabled app notifications
Notification permissions, control whether or not apps are able to show notifications in your device. When WhatsApp’s notification settings are disabled, the app is no longer able to display any sort of alerts. Be it in the status bar, lock screen, or notification panel.
This can occur due to a number of reasons. A system update might have caused permission to be changed back to the default. Or you might have denied notification access at the initial installation of an app.
In addition, notification channels (a feature that allows you to manage certain types of notifications, such as message notifications) could also have been individually disabled.
Battery saver /app optimization constraints
Battery optimization is intended to prolong your device’s battery life by restricting background processes, as well as power-usage from apps.
However, when WhatsApp comes under aggressive battery expansion, your phone might force-close the app when it is not being used.
This stops WhatsApp from having a persistent connection with its servers, which is necessary for receiving messages and showing notifications.
Background data or background activity blocked
WhatsApp depends on having constant Internet access in order to receive messages immediately. Background data settings affect whether or not apps can use your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection when they’re not actively open on your screen.
If background data is limited for WhatsApp, the application is unable to sync new messages when running in the background.
This means that you will receive your notifications only when you manually open WhatsApp, defeating the purpose of push notifications.
Do Not Disturb Mode enabled
Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is a helpful feature that can be used to silence notifications. However, it can also be the cause of missing WhatsApp alerts. When DND is in use your device either totally blocks any notification. Or it filters those notifications based on priority settings that you have configured.
Many users schedule automatic DND times, and then forget about them. And then they become confused when they do not receive notifications during such times. Even if you’ve added some of your contacts to your priority list, you might not receive WhatsApp notification depending on how you have set up your DND exceptions.
OS-specific issues (iPhone/Android)
Operating system updates often bring changes to the way notifications are handled. Which may cause issues that interfere with WhatsApp’s operations. Androids are especially complicated because of manufacturer’s customizations.
Samsung‘s One UI, Xiaomi’s MIUI and others all add custom implementations for notification management which may not be identical with WhatsApp’s needs.
With iPhone users, on the other hand, iOS updates sometimes tend to cause bugs with third-party app notifications.
In addition, Apple‘s stringent background activity restrictions might often delay WhatsApp notifications as compared to iMessage.
Outdated WhatsApp version
Software compatibility is extremely important when it comes to effective notification functionality.
Outdated WhatsApp versions may have bugs, already fixed in the latest versions. In addition, they may not be optimized for your current version of the operating system.
When major OS updates are released, WhatsApp developers also release similar updates for ensuring compatibility with new notification protocols.
Running an old version can expose you to security vulnerabilities as well as prevent access to new features.
Corrupted app cache and data
Over time, WhatsApp also accumulates temporary files, cached information or stored preferences that can become corrupted.
Corrupted cache files may hold old notification settings, damaged permission data, or fragmenting information which might not allow notification services to work properly.
With the internal database of WhatsApp’s notifications corrupted, it may not be able to fire out status bar alerts.
How to enable Whatsapp notifications in status bar?
To enable WhatsApp notifications in the status-bar, you need to follow the below steps.
For Android
1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Click on the option of apps & notifications (or just apps).
3. Find and choose from the list WhatsApp.
4. From there, tap on Notifications.
5. Make sure show notifications is switched ON
6. Check that all notification categories are enabled in order to ensure they show as pop-up or status bar notifications.
7. Scroll down and make sure that Status bar icon or Allow icon badges has been enabled.
8. Restart your device to have the notification services refreshed.
For iPhone
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go down and choose WhatsApp.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Turn on allow notifications.
5. Enable notifications in lock screen, notification center and Banners.
6. Make sure that sounds and badges are on.
Following these steps will ensure that you do not miss out on WhatsApp notifications in the status bar of your phone.
This helps you to keep yourself connected and informed without missing any message or call.
How to fix WhatsApp notification in status bar?
If you still have the problem of WhatsApp notification not showing in status bar after the initial steps, then you probably have a system level restriction or a software glitch.
The following more sophisticated methods of trouble-shooting are aimed at these deeper conflicts.
Address battery optimization and background restrictions
Battery optimization is the number one cause for delayed or suppressed notifications.
Android Users
1. Go to Settings and click on Apps or App Management.
2. Find and tap on WhatsApp.
3. Choose Battery (or Power Usage Details).
4. Change the setting from “Optimized” or “Intelligent Control” to Unrestricted, or No Restrictions.
5. In the same WhatsApp app settings page, tap on Mobile data & Wi-Fi. Make sure that the Background data switch is turned ON.
iPhone (iOS) Users
1. Go to Settings then find Battery. Ensure Low Power Mode is OFF.
2. Go to the Settings, look for General then find the Background App Refresh.
3. Make sure that the main toggle is ON (should be Wi-Fi & Cellular Data or just Wi-Fi).
4. Scroll down the list and make sure that the toggle beside, WhatsApp is ON.
Ensure background data is not restricted
If the phone is blocking the use of mobile data or Wi-Fi by WhatsApp when the app is closed.
Android
1. Go in Settings, find Apps and click on WhatsApp.
2. Click on mobile data & Wi-Fi (or Data Usage)
3. Make sure that background data or allow background data usage is ON.
4. Also, make sure on your device Data Saver/ Low data mode is globally OFF.
iOS (iPhone/iPad)
1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap WhatsApp.
3. Make sure the Background App Refresh switch is on
4. Make sure to turn on Cellular Data, so that notifications are also received when the Wi-Fi is switched off.
Reset whatsApp notification settings
A basic reset is able to clear corrupted notification profiles in the app itself.
1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Go to Settings and click on Notifications.
3. Click on the top of the screen on the three vertical dots and click on Reset Notification Settings.
4. Tap reset.
5. After doing this reset go back and check that ‘Use high priority notifications’ is ON for both messages and groups.
Clear WhatsApp cache (Android only)
A corrupted file in the cache sometimes disrupts the ability of the system to render the status bar icon.
1. Go to Settings then click on Apps then tap on WhatsApp.
2. Tap Storage & Cache.
3. Click on Clear Cache (Do not tap “Clear Storage” or “Clear Data” as this will delete all your chats!);
4. Restart your phone as soon as you get rid of the cache. Quite often, a restart will clear a serious software conflict.
Reset notification settings
If all else fails, it could be that there is a version mismatch. Or it could be a very deep bug that causes that.
1. Update whatsApp. Go to Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) and check for any available updates for WhatsApp. Install it.
2. Update OS. Check your phone’s Settings for a system software update, and install them if there are any outstanding updates.
3. Reinstall whatsApp. This is a last resort. Back up all your chats first. Uninstall the app, reboot the phone and install WhatsApp again. This is to ensure that you get a completely fresh installation.
How to know your teens WhatsApp notification on your phone?
As a parent staying informed of what your teenager is doing online is vital to keeping your teenager safe and sound in this connected world. While privacy respect is important, monitoring your teen’s WhatsApp notifications can help you safeguard them from cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content in the digital world. But because WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, it is technically difficult to know the app’s notifications or content. Doing so, usually requires special parental control tools.
These tools operate by installing an application on the device that the child is using that has permissions to monitor the activity and send reports or real-time alerts to a parent’s companion app.
FlashGet Kids parental control is a good example of such a dedicated monitoring application. It helps parents stay aware of their child’s social media use including WhatsApp activity. It is equipped with various features that are aimed at syncing vital information to the parent’s device.
At the heart of FlashGet Kids is its App Notifications functionality. A powerful tool specifically developed to sync WhatsApp and other social media notifications into your phone in real-time.
How FlashGet Kids works and why it is helpful.
- Real-time syncing. In-coming WhatsApp notifications are displayed instantly in your device. You get to see the name of the sender, preview text and timestamp.
- Filtering and alerts. Customize filters to prioritize WhatsApp notifications or set keyword triggers e.g. “help” or “meetup” for instant push notifications.
- Usage logs and insights. Above being able to view real time alerts, review past notification logs to analyze trends, such as the most popular chatting hours or most popular contacts.
- Privacy-focused design. Unlike full spy apps, it only shows the previews for notifications – not the full logs of the chat, respecting your teen’s space but keeping you in the loop.
By using FlashGet Kids, you will be turning vague concerns into reasonable positive information to make sure that the WhatsApp world of your teen is safe.
But, it is always recommended to use the tools alongside open communication about online safety.
Conclusion
Fixing the whatsapp notification not showing in status bar issue usually comes down to fixing some settings or changing battery and background activity permission. Once notifications are enabled properly, WhatsApp goes back to delivering messages instantly and reliably.
For parents who would like the added visibility, tools, such as FlashGet Kids, provide a much more secure means of being informed. As staying informed is key to smooth communication.
