Notifications stop showing up because of one of four things: your phone's do-not-disturb mode is on, the app itself has notification permission turned off, your phone's notification settings are blocking that specific app, or the app crashed and needs to be restarted.
The fastest way to fix this is to check your phone's do-not-disturb status first — it overrides everything else. If that is off, move to the app's own settings, then your phone's settings, then restart the app. Most of the time one of these four steps will bring notifications back.
This guide walks you through each step in order, starting with the easiest checks and moving to the ones that take a bit longer. You will not need to uninstall anything or change your phone's core settings.
Key Takeaways
- Do-not-disturb mode silences all notifications on your phone, even if individual apps have notifications turned on — check this first.
- Each app stores its own notification permission inside the app's settings menu, separate from your phone's settings.
- Your phone's settings can block notifications from a specific app even if the app itself has them turned on.
- Restarting an app (closing it completely and opening it again) fixes most notification problems that happen after an app update.
Check if do-not-disturb mode is on
Do-not-disturb mode silences all notifications on your phone, regardless of what you have set up in individual apps. On most phones, you can see if it is on by looking at the top of your screen — there will be a moon icon or the words "Do Not Disturb" visible. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel and look for a do-not-disturb button or toggle.
If do-not-disturb is on, tap it to turn it off. Your notifications should start coming through again immediately. On iPhones, do-not-disturb appears in the Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner). On Android phones, it is usually in the quick settings panel (swipe down twice from the top).
Some phones let you schedule do-not-disturb to turn on and off automatically at certain times. If notifications only stop at specific hours, check your phone's settings for a scheduled do-not-disturb rule. Look for "Focus" on iPhones or "Do Not Disturb" settings on Android phones.
Turn on notifications inside the app itself
Many apps have their own notification settings separate from your phone's settings. Even if your phone allows notifications, the app might have them turned off inside its own menu. Open the app that is not sending notifications and look for a Settings or Preferences option — this is usually a gear icon or three horizontal lines in the corner.
Once you are in the app's settings, search for "Notifications" or "Alerts". You will see toggles or switches for different types of notifications — messages, reminders, updates, and so on. Turn on the ones you want to receive. The exact names and options vary by app, but the concept is the same: the app is asking your permission to send you notifications.
After you turn notifications on inside the app, close the app completely and reopen it. This forces the app to refresh its settings. If notifications still do not appear, move to the next step.
Check your phone's notification settings for that app
Your phone keeps a master list of which apps are allowed to send notifications. Even if an app has notifications turned on inside itself, your phone can still block them. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Notifications, then find the app in the list. Make sure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on. You can also adjust whether notifications appear on your lock screen, in the notification center, or as banners.
On an Android phone, go to Settings, then Apps (or Application Manager), find the app, tap Notifications, and make sure notifications are turned on. Some Android phones also have a separate "Notification" settings menu in the main Settings app where you can manage all apps at once.
If notifications are already on in your phone's settings, check whether the app is set to "Silent" or "Muted". Some phones let you mute individual apps so they send notifications but do not make a sound or vibrate. If the app is muted and you want to hear or feel notifications, change it to "Default" or "Sound and Vibration".
Restart the app completely
If notifications are on in both the app and your phone's settings but still are not showing up, the app may have crashed or gotten stuck. Close the app completely — do not just minimize it. On most phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or use the back button) to close it fully. Wait a few seconds, then open the app again.
This step is especially important after an app update. Updates sometimes change how notifications work, and restarting the app forces it to load the new settings. If you have not updated the app in a while, check your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) to see if an update is waiting. Install it, then restart the app.
Restart your phone if nothing else works
If you have checked do-not-disturb, turned on notifications in the app and in your phone's settings, and restarted the app, but notifications still are not coming through, restart your entire phone. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears out temporary glitches that can block notifications system-wide.
After your phone restarts, open the app again and test whether notifications are working. If they still are not, the problem may be specific to that app — try uninstalling and reinstalling it from your phone's app store. Before you do, make sure you know your login information for that app so you can sign back in.
What to do if notifications work sometimes but not always
If you receive some notifications but not others, the problem is usually with how the app sends them, not with your phone's settings. Some apps send different types of notifications — messages, reminders, promotions, updates — and you may have turned off only certain types. Go back into the app's settings and check each notification category individually.
Another common reason is that your phone is in low-power mode or battery saver mode. These modes can delay or block notifications to save battery. Check your phone's battery settings and turn off low-power mode if it is on. You can also check whether the app itself is restricted in your phone's battery settings — some phones let you limit which apps can run in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get notifications on my phone but not on my smartwatch?
Your smartwatch receives notifications from your phone, so if your phone is not getting them, your watch will not either. Start by fixing notifications on your phone using the steps above. If your phone gets notifications but your watch does not, check your smartwatch's own settings or the companion app on your phone — there is usually a separate toggle for which notifications sync to your watch.
Do I need to turn on notifications every time I restart my phone?
No. Once you turn on notifications in an app and in your phone's settings, they stay on after a restart. If notifications stop working after you restart your phone, something else is blocking them — check do-not-disturb mode first, then work through the other steps.
Can I turn notifications back on for just one app without affecting others?
Yes. You can turn notifications on or off for each app individually in your phone's settings. Go to your phone's notification settings, find the specific app, and toggle notifications on or off for just that one. Other apps are not affected.
What if the app does not have a Settings menu inside it?
Some simple apps do not have their own settings. In that case, all notification control happens in your phone's settings. Go to your phone's notification settings, find the app, and make sure notifications are turned on there. That is the only place you need to check.
Will restarting my phone delete anything?
No. Restarting your phone (powering it off and back on) does not delete any of your data, photos, messages, or apps. It just clears temporary files and resets running processes, which often fixes notification problems.