100% Effective Fixes for Not Receiving WhatsApp Messages Unless I Open the App

Real-time push notifications are important for every social media app, as nobody wants to miss out on urgent and important conversations. However, at times, you might not receive WhatsApp notifications on your devices, which can be frustrating.

If you are experiencing this issue and wondering why am I not receiving WhatsApp messages unless I open the app, this guide is for you. There could be multiple reasons behind the issue, such as low device battery, turned-off notifications, etc. Therefore, let’s dive deep into why do my WhatsApp messages only come through when I open the app and cover 11 proven ways to fix it.

Part 1. 9 Common Tips to Fix Not Receiving WhatsApp Messages Unless I Open the App on Android

It can be frustrating not to receive WhatsApp notifications directly while checking them by opening the app can also be tedious. This issue with WhatsApp notifications can be due to several reasons that prevent your device from notifying properly. However, it is a fixable issue. So, follow the below 9 tips to learn how to fix not receiving WhatsApp messages unless I open the app issue:

Fix 1: Turn On WhatsApp Notifications on iPhone and Android

Both iOS and Android allow disabling notifications. If you have turned off your notifications, you will not know about the new WhatsApp messages unless you open it on your phone. Therefore, you must turn on the notification by following the below steps:

Go to Settings.
Open Notifications.
Toggle on WhatsApp in the list.

Fix 2: Unmute the WhatsApp Chat

With WhatsApp’s mute chat feature, you are not notified about the latest messages in that specific chat. Therefore, if you are not receiving WhatsApp notifications, check if you have muted the chat.

To unmute the WhatsApp chat:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Find the mute symbol (crossed-out speaker) towards the right of a conversation.
3. Open the chat thread.
4. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
5. Click Unmute Notifications.

Fix 3: Log Out from Other Devices

Besides the WhatsApp mobile app, you also get WhatsApp desktop and web versions. If you have WhatsApp logged on to multiple devices, you might not receive notifications automatically on your phone unless you open the app. Therefore, check all other devices where WhatsApp is running and log out of all other than your main device.

Fix 4: Disable Do Not Disturb Mode or Low Power/Battery Saving Mode

If your iPhone or Android device is on Low Battery or Do Not Disturb mode, it can hinder the operations of some apps like WhatsApp in the background. Consequently, you don’t receive notifications until you open WhatsApp. Simply turn off these modes to receive timely notifications.

To turn off the Do Not Disturb mode on Android:

Swipe down from the top of your phone.
Simply tap Battery Saving/Do Not Disturb mode.

To disable Do Not Disturb mode on iPhone:

Open Settings.
Select Do Not Disturb.
Toggle off the button.

Fix 5: Enable WhatsApp Working on Background

If you have disabled your background apps, your device could be unable to capture new data in the background. With restricted background app usage, you either need to enable WhatsApp in the background or open it to receive notifications.

To enable WhatsApp notifications on Android:

Open Settings.

Press Apps.

Search and pick WhatsApp.

Tap Data Usage.

Toggle on Background Data.

To enable WhatsApp notifications on iPhone:

Navigate to Settings.

Scroll down and click WhatsApp.

Toggle on Background App Refresh.

Fix 6. Switch to a Stable Network

Poor internet connection can prevent your device from receiving WhatsApp notifications. You need a robust internet connection to receive timely notifications on your phone for all apps. Therefore, try to find a stable network and connect to it. If you are using mobile data, try to switch to a good-quality Wi-Fi connection or vice versa.

Fix 7. Update or Reinstall WhatsApp

In some cases, you may not receive notifications on your phone due to outdated app versions. Therefore, it is recommended to update WhatsApp to the latest version. To update WhatsApp:

Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Search for the WhatsApp app.

If you find any recent updates, hit the Update button.

Besides that, another reason why WhatsApp notifications fail is a bug or an internal issue in the app. These issues are hard to detect. Therefore, you can try uninstalling the app to remove the corrupted files. After uninstalling, you can reinstall the app to fix your issues.

Fix 8. Restart Your Device

Restarting the device can fix temporary errors and technical glitches. To restart an Android phone:

Press and hold the Power button.

Click the Restart/Reboot option that appears on the screen.

Similarly, if you are trying to fix your iPhone not receiving WhatsApp messages unless I open the app, you must restart as follows:

1. Press and hold the Volume Up/Down button and Side button simultaneously until the power slider appears on the screen.
2. Swipe the Power Slider button.
3. Wait for 30 seconds to make the iPhone turn off completely.
4. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Fix 9: Update Your Device System:

When you miss installing device updates, it can affect the performance and face malfunctions. Therefore, you must regularly check updates and keep your software updated.

To update your Android device:

Go to Settings.

Click About Phone.

Tap Check for Updates.

If you find any latest updates, click on them and install them.

To update your iPhone device:

Go to Settings.

Click General > Software Update.

If you find any latest updates, click on them and install them

Also Read: How to Fix Old WhatsApp Images Not Showing in Gallery? 8 Effective Ways

Part 2: 2 Professional Ways to Fix iPhone/Android Not Receiving WhatsApp Messages Unless I Open the App

If none of the above fixes help you address why am I not receiving WhatsApp messages unless I open the app on iPhone/Android, then you need deeper fixes. Therefore, we have below shortlisted two professional ways to fix WhatsApp notifications delivery issues on Android and iPhone:

Fix 1: Clear WhatsApp Cache

WhatsApp stores some data as a temporary cache to make the app run smoothly. However, the cache memory can sometimes be the reason behind the malfunction. Therefore, you should clear the WhatsApp cache memory.

Clearing your WhatsApp cache doesn’t delete your WhatsApp images, chats, and other data. Rather, it only clears up your storage space by removing temporary files.

To clear your WhatsApp cache, follow the given steps:

Open Settings.

Navigate to Applications.

Search for WhatsApp in the list and tap Storage and cache.

Click Clear Cache under the Storage window.

Finally, close your WhatsApp and restart it.

Fix 2. Repair Device System

need an effective tool to repair your device system to fix such issues. Dr.Fone System Repair is an excellent system repair tool to resolve minor and serious issues in your devices.

With Dr.Fone System Repair, you can fix a wide range of your Android/iOS system errors, such as the boot loop, black screen, app crashes, etc. It is compatible with almost all the old and latest Android and iPhone models.

The best thing about Dr.Fone System Repair is its click-based repair approach. With just a few simple clicks, it can intelligently scan the device and fix all the issues without any human involvement.

Follow the below steps to learn how to fix not receiving WhatsApp messages unless I open the app issue with Dr.Fone System Repair:

1. Connect the device to the computer via the USB cable that you need to repair.
2. Install and launch Dr.Fone System Repair on your computer.
3. Go to the Toolbox tab in the left panel and click the System Repair option.

4. Select Android or iPhone, depending on your device type.

5. Click the Start button in the window that appears.

6. Select your device details from the lists and click Next.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the system repair. Once the repair is completed, a window appears on the screen. Click Done if your device starts properly. Otherwise, hit Try again.

That’s it! So, a few simple clicks with Dr.Fone System Repair lets you quickly fix all the internal issues with your device. Now open WhatsApp, chat with someone and see if the notifications work correctly. So, download and purchase Dr.Fone toolkit and resolve the notification issue effortlessly.

Final Thoughts

WhatsApp notifications help users keep track of new messages and urgent conversations. With real-time notifications, you can catch up on updates and participate actively. However, some users don’t receive WhatsApp messages on their devices until they open the app manually.

If you are also facing this issue, i.e., not receiving WhatsApp messages unless I open the app, you can fix it yourself by following the tips and tricks discussed in this guide. Besides that, it is recommended to scan and repair your device with Dr.Fone System Repair to fix all the internal issues. Therefore, the guide will wrap up by recommending you follow the above 11 proven ways and resolve the notification issue right away.