WhatsApp Notifications Not Working on iPhone

Ron Walton

black iphone 7 plus on persons hand

Experiencing issues with WhatsApp notifications on iPhone can be frustrating. Ensuring that both WhatsApp and iPhone notification settings are correctly configured is crucial. These issues can prevent you from receiving important messages and calls, making it essential to troubleshoot and resolve them quickly.

If notifications aren’t coming through, there are several potential fixes. Users should check their WhatsApp settings, enable notifications, and ensure Do Not Disturb mode isn’t active. Updating both the app and the iOS might also help to solve the problem. If these solutions don’t work, reinstalling the app could be the answer.

For iPhones, it’s necessary to review phone settings as well. Notification permissions for WhatsApp should be enabled in the iPhone settings. Restarting the device and resetting network settings can also resolve notification issues. By following these steps, users can restore their WhatsApp notifications and stay connected seamlessly.

Why WhatsApp Notifications Might Not Work on iPhone

If WhatsApp notifications aren’t appearing or making sound, it’s usually due to one of these issues:

  • Notifications are disabled in iPhone or WhatsApp settings.
  • Focus ModeDo Not Disturb, or Silent Mode is on.
  • Background App Refresh is off.
  • Low Power Mode or Low Data Mode is restricting updates.
  • WhatsApp is not updated or has a temporary bug.
  • Network connection is weak or unstable.

(Source: Of Zen and Computing, ComputerCity)


🧰 Step-by-Step Fixes for WhatsApp Notifications on iPhone

1. Check iPhone Notification Settings

  1. Open Settings → Notifications → WhatsApp.
  2. Ensure:
    • Allow Notifications is turned on.
    • Alerts are enabled for Lock ScreenNotification Center, and Banners.
    • Sounds and Badges are toggled on.
  3. Set Banner Style to Persistent (so it doesn’t disappear too quickly).

2. Check WhatsApp’s In-App Notification Settings

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Go to Settings → Notifications.
  3. Make sure:
    • Show Notifications is on for Messages and Group Chats.
    • Sound and Vibration are enabled.
    • In-App Notifications are turned on.

3. Turn Off Focus or Do Not Disturb Mode

  1. Swipe down from the top-right corner (Control Center).
  2. If Focus (or Do Not Disturb) is on, tap it to turn it off.
  3. Or go to Settings → Focus and disable any active Focus modes (like Sleep, Work, or Personal).

4. Check Silent Switch and Volume

  • Ensure the Ring/Silent switch (on the left side of your iPhone) is not set to silent (orange showing).
  • Go to Settings → Sounds & Haptics and increase the Ringer and Alerts volume.

5. Enable Background App Refresh

  1. Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
  2. Make sure Background App Refresh is On (Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi & Mobile Data).
  3. Scroll down and ensure WhatsApp is toggled on.

6. Check Battery and Data Settings

  • Low Power Mode:
    • Go to Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode and turn it off.
  • Low Data Mode:
    • Go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Low Data Mode and turn it off.

These modes can delay or block notifications.


7. Update WhatsApp and iOS

  • WhatsApp:
    • Open the App Store → Profile icon → Update WhatsApp if available.
  • iOS:
    • Go to Settings → General → Software Update and install the latest version.

Updates often fix notification bugs (source: FoneGeek).


8. Reinstall WhatsApp (if nothing works)

  1. Back up your chats:
    • WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat Backup → Back Up Now.
  2. Delete WhatsApp from your iPhone.
  3. Reinstall it from the App Store and restore your backup.

9. Check Internet Connection

  • Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection.
  • Try toggling Airplane Mode on and off.
  • If on cellular, go to Settings → Cellular → WhatsApp and ensure it’s allowed to use data.

🧠 Bonus Tips

  • Restart your iPhone — this clears temporary glitches.
  • Log out of WhatsApp Web/Desktop — sometimes linked devices interfere with notifications.
  • Check notification summary:
    • Go to Settings → Notifications → Scheduled Summary and ensure WhatsApp isn’t included if you want instant alerts.

✅ Summary

IssueFix
Notifications offTurn on in iPhone & WhatsApp settings
Focus Mode onTurn off Focus or Do Not Disturb
Silent modeFlip the ring switch up
Background refresh offEnable in Settings
Outdated appUpdate WhatsApp & iOS
Battery/Data saving modesTurn off Low Power & Low Data Modes

🔍 Still Not Working?

If you’ve tried all steps and notifications still don’t appear:

  • Force restart your iPhone.
  • Reset all settings:
    • Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings (this won’t delete data).
  • Or contact Apple Support or WhatsApp Support for deeper diagnostics.

Key Takeaways

  • Check both WhatsApp and iPhone notification settings.
  • Update the app and iOS to fix notification issues.
  • Reinstall WhatsApp if basic troubleshooting fails.

Troubleshooting WhatsApp Notification Issues on iPhone

Having trouble with WhatsApp notifications on iPhone can be frustrating. The following points cover crucial steps to get your notifications back on track.

Checking Notification Settings

First, make sure WhatsApp notifications are enabled. Go to Settings on your iPhone. Tap Notifications, then find and tap WhatsApp. Toggle the Allow Notifications switch to the on position.

Ensure Sounds and Badges are also enabled. These options help you spot when a message arrives. If they’re disabled, you might miss alerts.

Updating Device and App

An outdated system or app can cause notification issues. Open the App Store and check for updates. If an update is available for WhatsApp, install it.

Next, update your iPhone’s iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.

Ensuring Network Connectivity

A stable internet connection is essential for receiving WhatsApp notifications. Check if your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network or cellular data.

If your connection is unstable, try restarting your router or switching to a different Wi-Fi network. You can also test your internet speed to see if it’s causing problems.

Managing Phone Settings

Certain iPhone settings can interfere with notifications. Check if Do Not Disturb is turned on. Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and ensure it’s off.

Check if Low Power Mode is on. This mode can prevent apps from working properly. Go to Settings > Battery and make sure Low Power Mode is off.

Resetting and Reinstalling WhatsApp

If none of the previous steps work, try resetting the app. Go to Settings, then General, and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. Choose Reset All Settings.

If resetting settings doesn’t help, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. Press and hold the WhatsApp icon until it jiggles, then tap the x to remove it. Go back to the App Store and reinstall the app. This can clear up any glitches preventing notifications.