Android notifications are delayed: causes and solutions

Sometimes, without knowing why, Android notifications arrive lateThis can be a problem: WhatsApp messages arriving after the conversation has ended, camera or sensor alerts appearing after the problem has already passed, urgent emails being notified several minutes late…

Those notifications that arrive 10, 15, or 20 minutes late can cause you to miss a deadline, fail to see a security alert, or miss a job opportunity. The most frustrating thing is that, In most cases, the problem is not with the app, but with Android. How manufacturers' layers manage the battery and background processes.

Why are Android notifications arriving late?

Behind almost all late notification problems lies the same idea: Android tries to save battery by limiting what apps do in the backgroundAdded to this are very aggressive customization layers (Xiaomi, OPPO, Samsung, etc.), extreme power-saving modes, and "smart" features that affect connectivity and consumption without the user noticing… The causes? Here are the most frequent ones:

• Android's advanced power saving system, known as Doze and the various battery optimizationsWhen the phone is at rest, with the screen off and no movement, the system minimizes activity: it limits network access, groups synchronizations, and "puts to sleep" background processes.
• The Battery and RAM “optimization” applications which many users install thinking that their mobile phone will run fasterThese apps often abruptly close background processes, clean memory, and constantly kill tasks. The problem is that these tasks include services responsible for receiving push notifications, syncing emails, and keeping messaging sessions active.
• The different energy saving modes of the system itself or of the manufacturerFrom standard Android power saving to the extreme modes of some custom Android skins that practically freeze apps they deem non-essential, notifications are often delayed or simply not delivered when these modes are permanently active or configured very aggressively.
• The settings of Wi-Fi and mobile data at restIn some models, if the phone goes into sleep mode, the Wi-Fi connection is cut off or the data network is limited to save battery; the result is that notifications are only received when the screen is turned on or the phone is unlocked, giving the false impression that "they all come in at once" at that moment.
• Finally, it is important to consider the Android no distraction modes (Do Not Disturb, Sleep Mode, Distraction-Free Mode, etc.). These are designed to reduce notification noise, but if configured incorrectly, they can prevent any sound from coming through.

Delays due to energy saving (Doze, smart battery, aggressive modes)

For several versions now, Android has included an advanced power-saving system called Pickups and adaptive/smart batteryIt analyzes how you use your phone to decide which apps can run in the background and which can't. On paper, it's a good idea, but in practice, it sometimes goes too far.

On phones like the Google Pixel, many users report that Notifications only arrive when the phone is unlocked.Whether it's Telegram, WhatsApp, or alerts from other apps, while the device is locked and idle, the system reduces network activity so much that notifications are lost until you use the phone again.

To try and avoid this, some advanced users have opted to completely disable Doze power saving mode using ADBWith a computer, the Android SDK installed, and USB debugging enabled on the mobile device, commands such as the following can be executed:

adb devices
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle disable

These two commands disable the "device idle" (Doze) logic and, according to those users, Notifications are once again arriving in real time.On the downside, the process has to be repeated every time the device is restarted, and in some models it may slightly increase battery consumption, although many claim not to notice a dramatic difference.

Recent Google Pixel phones are also influenced by features such as Adaptive connectivity and Smart batteryThe first manages the network (Wi-Fi/5G) to save energy, and the second limits what apps do in the background. Adjusting these options slightly in Settings has resulted in clear improvements to notifications. Notifications usually arrive much fasterAlthough battery life may be slightly reduced. If you don't notice any improvement after a few days, you can easily reactivate the options.

Manufacturer layers that kill processes: Xiaomi, HyperOS, MIUI, and others

On mobile phones from brands like Xiaomi (MIUI and HyperOS), OPPO, Realme or OnePlus, the problem is multiplied: Its layers include even more aggressive battery-saving systems than pure Android itself.This results in apps closing in the background, messaging processes stopping, and notifications being delayed until you reopen the app.

In the specific case of Xiaomi with HyperOS or MIUI, there are several aspects to consider. On one hand, there are the standard energy saving modes and the “extreme saving mode”This mode minimizes device activity and blocks virtually all apps except for a few essential ones. If you keep this extreme mode enabled, it's normal for notifications from WhatsApp, Telegram, social media, or even YouTube to be missed.

The most logical solution is use a balanced battery profile Use the low-power modes for everyday use and reserve the extreme modes only for battery emergencies. In HyperOS, for example, you can do the following:

1. Opens Settings.
2. Sign in Battery.
3. Unfolds Current mode.
4. Choose Balanced mode instead of the more restrictive saving modes.

Also, you can Disable power saving only for important apps (WhatsApp, Gmail, Telegram, banking apps, etc.) from the battery section itself, marking them as unrestricted or allowing free background usage.

Another key point in Xiaomi is the regular cleaning of cache and junk filesOver time, the accumulation of data can cause some apps to malfunction or freeze when receiving notifications. Opening the Security app and using the temporary file cleanup feature often resolves unusual alert issues.

Finally, maintain MIUI or HyperOS updated This update helps fix known notification errors. Older versions sometimes have bugs that affect push notifications, and system patches typically improve both battery management and the behavior of background apps.

Problematic notifications in Chinese ROMs and Google services

On Xiaomi devices with Chinese ROM of HyperOS or MIUI without Google services The issue becomes even more complicated. Since Google Play Services isn't pre-installed, many Western messaging and social media apps rely on additional configurations and special permissions to receive push notifications properly.

In these cases it is common that WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, or even Gmail don't notify as they should.or that the notifications appear with a significant delay. To minimize the problem, several different settings need to be adjusted:

1. Press and hold the app icon, then enter Application Information and enable the automatic start, all permissions and background usage.
2. En Settings> NotificationsMake sure notifications are enabled for that app and are not limited by power saving.
3. En Settings > WLAN > WLAN Wizard, activates options such as Stay connected y Traffic mode to avoid network outages while idle.

It is also recommended to use the tools of the layer itself:

• En Settings > Security > Boost speed > Block appsIt blocks key apps (and Google services, if you have them installed) from closing when cleaning memory.
• En Settings > Battery > SettingsDisable battery saving for apps you want to always have a connection and set the lock screen to options that do not limit its activity.

It's a somewhat convoluted setup, but That's the price you pay for using a ROM that wasn't designed for our market. and it doesn't cleanly integrate Google services. For advanced users, an alternative is to install an official global ROM or a cleaner custom ROM (like LineageOS), although this involves unlocking the bootloader and other risks.

OPPO, Realme and the Athena system app

In devices from brands like OPPO and some Realme models, there is a particularly controversial system component: Athena (or com.oplus.athena), a kind of task manager that closes background applications to free up RAM and reduce power consumption.

The problem is that Athena can be extremely aggressive.Many users describe how, after a few minutes with the screen off, apps like Gmail, WhatsApp, or social media clients stop receiving notifications until they are reopened. In practice, this "task killer" directly interferes with services that need to remain active to receive push notifications.

Since it's a system application, it can't be uninstalled through the normal settings. However, using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) From a PC, it is possible to disable or uninstall it for the current user with a command similar to:

adb shell pm uninstall -k –user 0 com.oplus.athena

After doing this, many report that Background apps stop closing on their own and notifications start arriving instantly.This solves the phone's main problem. The downside is that battery life may be affected by losing that extra layer of "optimization."

It's important to know that Removing system applications always carries risks.Disabling Athena can cause unexpected behavior, conflicts with future updates, or instability if critical packages are affected. Ideally, you should back up important data and thoroughly test your device after disabling Athena to ensure everything is still working correctly.

Other common reasons: Do not disturb, sleep modes, and notification settings

It's not always about battery optimization. Often, notifications seem to "not arrive" when in reality They are silenced or filtered by some form of concentration from the system itself. Android has been adding features to reduce distractions, and if they are activated by mistake they can cause a lot of headaches.

• Do not disturb modeIf enabled, it can silence sounds, vibration, and even hide notifications, depending on the settings. The quickest way to check is to pull down the quick settings from the top bar and turn off the corresponding icon, or go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb to see if it's associated with any schedule or automatic rules.
• Distraction-free mode (within Digital Wellbeing) that blocks the use and notifications of certain apps that distract you the most. If one of those apps is exactly what you need (for example, a messenger or email), simply go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls > Distraction-free mode and remove it from the list.
• “Silence as you turn”This feature activates Do Not Disturb when you place your phone face down on the table. To avoid surprises, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls and check that this gesture is disabled if you don't want to use it.
• Rest modeDesigned to encourage less phone use at night, this feature can also automatically activate Do Not Disturb during sleep. If you want to continue receiving important notifications even when this mode is active, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Bedtime mode and uncheck the box for “Do Not Disturb during Bedtime mode”.

Finally, you have to Review the notification settings both at the system level and within each app. In Settings > Notifications > App notifications you can check that the problematic app has the switch activated, and within its own settings (long press on the icon > "i" for information > Notifications) see if any specific notification channel (messages, mentions, groups, etc.) is muted.

Wi-Fi, mobile data and network quality

Connectivity also plays a role: An unstable or poorly configured network can cause delays in notifications.If the data signal is very weak, the mobile constantly switches between 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi, or the router experiences frequent outages, Google services or the apps themselves may take longer than usual to deliver notifications.

In some advanced Wi-Fi settings, you will find the option to Turn off the connection when the screen is in sleep modeThis saves battery, but it stops your phone from receiving notifications until you turn it back on. To prevent this, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced Menu and make sure that the option “Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep” be in “Always”.

If you suspect the mobile network, you can Quickly activate and deactivate airplane mode To force a clean reconnection, or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if notifications start coming through. Sometimes, simply restarting your router or phone resolves temporary connectivity issues that were affecting push notifications, and it's also worth checking out solutions like Configure AdGuard Home to control DNS and blocks that may interfere.

When only a specific app If the app is misbehaving, it's a good idea to clear its cache from the app's information. Corrupted temporary data can interfere with notification logging on the servers, and a quick cleanup is usually harmless and effective. In extreme cases, you can also delete the data (keeping in mind that you'll lose your session and have to log in again or configure the app).

App updates, system updates, and advanced solutions

Don't forget the basics: An outdated app can have serious notification problems.and the same applies to older versions of the operating system or the manufacturer's layer, and when there are malware on AndroidIt is common for developers to release updates that improve compatibility with the latest Android APIs and fix bugs that affect push notifications.

To check, open the Google Play Store, tap on your profile picture, and go to “Manage apps and device”If updates are available, you can click "Update all" or check each app individually for the ones that are giving you the most trouble. Keeping them up to date significantly reduces the likelihood of unexpected errors.

Regarding the system, go to Settings > System > Software updates and check if there are any new versions pending. Many brands release specific patches to improve the stability of notificationsespecially when widespread problems are detected after a major Android update.

For advanced users, there are even deeper options: install Custom ROMs like LineageOS These offer a cleaner, less intrusive experience with background processes, or you can use third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) that give you more control over notifications and their behavior. However, changing ROMs involves unlocking the bootloader, flashing images, and potentially voiding your warranty, so it's not a decision for everyone.

When the problem persists after checking power saving modes, notifications, permissions, connectivity, and updates, The last resort is to contact the brand's official technical support.Sometimes it is a specific fault of a certain model or version that is already documented and for which the manufacturer has a patch or a specific solution.

With all of the above in mind, it's clear that delayed Android notifications are rarely a mystery: they're usually the direct result of overly zealous battery-saving systems, custom interfaces that indiscriminately kill processes, and poorly configured focus modes. By carefully adjusting each of these points, disabling the most aggressive optimizations for your critical apps, and keeping both the system and applications up to date, It is perfectly possible to recover fast, reliable, and real-time notifications without having to completely sacrifice good battery life..