If notifications only arrive after you pick up your phone or unlock the screen, your device is usually restricting background activity while it sits idle. Android is designed to save battery this way, but sometimes it becomes too aggressive and delays messages, emails, or app alerts.
The short version: check battery optimization and background restrictions first. In most cases, that’s where the delay starts.
Why notifications get delayed
Modern Android versions rely heavily on power management systems like Doze Mode and app standby. When the phone hasn’t been touched for a few minutes, Android slows network access for apps running in the background. Messaging apps are supposed to bypass this, but manufacturer settings often override the default behavior.
This is especially common on devices from Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, and similar brands that add extra battery-saving layers.
Allow the app to run without battery restrictions
This is the most effective fix.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Select the app with delayed notifications (WhatsApp, Gmail, Telegram, etc.).
- Tap Battery.
- Choose Unrestricted or Allow background activity.
Different phones label this slightly differently, but the goal is the same: prevent Android from putting the app to sleep.
Disable adaptive battery or app sleeping features
Some devices automatically move apps into a “sleeping” list after periods of inactivity.
- Open Settings → Battery.
- Look for Background usage limits, App sleep, or Adaptive Battery.
- Remove important apps from any sleeping or restricted lists.
If your messaging app appears there, notifications will almost always arrive late.
Check background data access
Notifications rely on constant network access. If background data is blocked, alerts wait until the phone wakes up.
- Open Settings → Apps.
- Select the affected app.
- Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi (or Data usage).
- Enable Background data and Unrestricted data usage.
Turn off system-wide data or power savers
Battery Saver mode can delay push notifications across the entire system.
- Go to Settings → Battery.
- Disable Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode.
If you prefer keeping it enabled, add exceptions for messaging and email apps if your device allows it.
Make sure notifications themselves aren’t limited
It sounds obvious, but notification channels sometimes get muted during updates.
- Open Settings → Notifications → App notifications.
- Select the app.
- Confirm all important notification categories are enabled.
One practical tip
After changing these settings, restart the phone once. Android occasionally keeps old power-management rules active until a reboot clears them.
Once background restrictions are removed, notifications should arrive normally even when the phone has been idle for long periods.