Notifications not coming through in a timely manner on your iPhone can be frustrating. A notification delay means you may miss important alerts from apps, calls, or messages. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to get notifications working properly again.
Why are my iPhone notifications delayed?
There are a few common reasons why notifications may be delayed on your iPhone:
- Software bug – A bug or glitch in iOS can sometimes cause notification delays. Apple regularly releases software updates to fix bugs.
- Outdated apps – Apps that aren’t updated to the latest version may have notification issues. Keep your apps updated.
- Connectivity issues – Weak Wi-Fi, poor cellular signal, or unstable Bluetooth connections can prevent timely delivery of notifications.
- Notification settings – The notification settings for individual apps may be reducing notification frequency.
- Do Not Disturb mode – Do Not Disturb will mute or delay notifications while this mode is enabled.
- Low storage space – Insufficient storage space can cause performance issues that delay notifications.
- Background App Refresh disabled – This feature must be enabled for apps to refresh content in the background.
1. Check Do Not Disturb settings
The first thing to check is whether Do Not Disturb is enabled. Do Not Disturb blocks sounds and vibrations from notifications, and also delays notification banners and badges while it’s active.
To verify Do Not Disturb is disabled:
- Open the Settings app and tap on Do Not Disturb.
- Make sure the manual toggle is switched off.
- Check that a scheduled quiet hours timeframe is not set.
With Do Not Disturb disabled, notifications should be able to come through normally.
2. Update iOS software
Software bugs and performance issues in iOS can sometimes interfere with proper notification delivery. Apple regularly releases software updates to address bugs affecting notifications.
To update your iPhone’s iOS version:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Download and install any available updates. The latest version will ensure you have bug fixes.
Updating to the latest iOS version can often resolve many notification problems.
3. Check app notifications settings
The next step is to verify the notification settings for your individual apps. Some apps allow you to reduce notification frequency, which can cause notifications to be delayed.
To review notification settings:
- Go to Settings > Notifications.
- Select an app and verify Show Previews is enabled.
- Check the alert style is not set to Banners or None.
- Disable any option to delay or schedule notifications.
- Repeat for each app that has delayed notifications.
Restoring each app’s notifications settings to default can help get notifications delivered on time.
4. Enable Background App Refresh
The Background App Refresh feature allows apps to refresh their content when not in use. Turning this off can result in delayed notifications.
To make sure it’s enabled:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Switch on Background App Refresh.
- You can also switch on Background App Refresh specifically for problem apps.
Enabling Background App Refresh gives apps the ability to update themselves more frequently in the background.
5. Check for app updates
Apps that aren’t fully updated are more prone to having notification delays and bugs. Check that all apps are updated to their latest version.
To update apps:
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile icon at the top right.
- Scroll down to see any available app updates and tap Update next to each.
Updating apps can provide performance improvements and bug fixes that may improve notifications.
6. Restart your iPhone
If you’ve checked other troubleshooting steps, try restarting your iPhone. A restart can clear any temporary software glitches that may be interfering with notifications.
To restart an iPhone 8 or earlier, hold down the Side and Volume Down buttons until you see the Apple logo. For an iPhone X or later, hold the Side and Volume Up buttons.
After restarting, check if notifications are now being delivered in a timely manner.
7. Check for performance issues
Low storage space, weak connectivity, and poor performance could also prevent timely notification delivery. Try the following:
- Free up storage space – Go to Settings > General > Storage and delete content if you’re low on space.
- Switch Wi-Fi networks – Move closer to your router or connect to a stronger Wi-Fi network.
- Disable Wi-Fi Assist – This can cause connection issues. Turn it off in Settings > Cellular.
- Disable VPN connections – VPNs can impact network performance. Turn off any active VPNs under Settings.
Addressing any performance problems can help get notifications working properly again.
Other troubleshooting tips
If you still can’t resolve delayed notifications, a few other things to try include:
- Reset network settings – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset Wi-Fi networks and other network settings.
- Change notification method – Try using banner notifications instead of alerts. Or select different alert tones.
- Uninstall/reinstall apps – If just one or two apps have delayed notifications, deleting and reinstalling the apps may help.
- Factory reset iPhone – As a last resort, backup your iPhone and reset to factory settings. This should resolve any software issues causing notification delays.
Conclusion
Delayed or late notifications on iPhone can be inconvenient but are usually fixable. Start by checking Do Not Disturb settings, updating your iOS software and apps, reviewing notification settings, and enabling Background App Refresh. Fix any Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity issues. Restart your iPhone and reset network settings if needed. Reinstalling or deleting problem apps may also help. A factory reset can fix persistent notification delays by wiping out any bugs or glitches. With some patience and troubleshooting, you should be able to get notifications working properly again.