9 Ways to Fix Signal App Not Receiving Messages Until Opened

Hey there, fellow Signal user! Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why am I not getting Signal messages unless I open the app?” or “Why am I not getting notifications on the Signal app?”

Well, you’re not alone. Many of us have faced this pesky issue with the Signal app, where we don’t receive messages and notifications until the app is opened.

It can be frustrating, especially when waiting for an important message.

But worry no more! In this blog post, we’ll dive into the common reasons for this problem and provide a step-by-step guide on how to fix it.

So let’s get started, and soon you’ll have your Signal app up and running smoothly again.

How to Fix Signal Not Receiving Messages and Notifications Until App Is Opened

Here’s the guide to help you fix the issue of Signal not receiving messages and notifications until the app is opened:

1. Ensure Background Data

Make sure that the Signal app is allowed to use background data. This means allowing the app to run in the background.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > select the Signal app

Tap on Mobile data & Wi-Fi and make sure <Background data> and <Unrestricted data usage> are both toggled ON.

2. Signal App Notification Settings

Make sure all signal notifications are allowed and turned on.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > select the Signal app
Select <Notifications> and make sure all options are toggled on.

3. Adjust Battery Optimization Settings

You’ll need to tweak your device’s battery optimization settings to ensure Signal can run in the background without restrictions. The process may vary depending on your device, but here’s a general guide:

Go to your device’s Settings app.

Tap on Battery or Power management.

Look for Battery optimization or App power management.

Find Signal in the list and disable battery optimization for it.

4. Accidental Blocked Contact

This issue can arise if the user has accidentally blocked the contact on Signal.

If you suspect that you have accidentally blocked someone on Signal and are not receiving notification messages from them, here are some steps you can take to check if this is the case:

Open Signal: Launch the Signal app on your device.
Tap on your profile: Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner of the app.
Select Privacy: From the menu that appears, select “Privacy.”
Select Blocked Contacts: Under the “Privacy” menu, you will see the “Blocked Contacts” option. Tap on it.
Check for the contact: In the “Blocked Contacts” menu, look for the contact you suspect you may have accidentally blocked. If you find the contact’s name in the list, it means that you have blocked them.
Unblock the contact: If you have confirmed that you have accidentally blocked the contact, you can unblock them by tapping on their name in the “Blocked Contacts” list and selecting “Unblock” from the options that appear.
Restart the app: After unblocking the contact, restart the Signal app to ensure that the changes take effect.

5. Disable Do Not Disturb mode

Sometimes, you forget to disable Do Not Disturb mode and miss important notifications, including Signal messages.

If you suspect that you have accidentally enabled Do Not Disturb on your phone and are not receiving Signal messages, here are some steps you can take to check if this is the case:

On an iPhone, you can do this by going to Settings > Do Not Disturb.

Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do not disturb on an Android phone.

6. Use Signal Desktop

Signal has a desktop version as well that is suitable for Windows and macOS users.

One alternative to ensure you get prompt message notifications from the app is to try the desktop version.

7. Clear App Cache

Clearing the Signal app’s cache can help resolve minor issues that may be affecting its performance.

To clear the Signal app cache on Android:

Open your Android device’s Settings app.
Scroll down and select “Apps & notifications”.
Find and select the Signal app from the list of installed apps.
Select “Storage & cache”.
Tap “Clear cache” and confirm.

To clear the Signal app cache on iOS:

Open your iOS device’s Settings app.
Scroll down and select “General”.
Select “iPhone Storage” or “iPad Storage” (depending on your device).
Find and select the Signal app from the list of installed apps.
Tap “Offload App” to free up space or “Delete App” to completely remove the app and its data.

8. Check Your Internet Connection

First, ensure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data network. You can test your connection by opening a web page or streaming a video.

If your internet is slow or unstable, consider moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or switching to a better network.

9. Update the Signal App

Outdated app versions can sometimes cause glitches, like not receiving messages until the app is opened.

Visit your device’s app store and check if there’s an update available for Signal. If so, update the app to the latest version.

If all else fails, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the Signal app. Be sure to back up your chats first, as this process will delete your messages.

Check out our guide on how to retrieve deleted chat messages from Signal and how to export Signal chats as PDF, CSV, or HTML for help with backing up your data.