Telegram Notifications Not Working? 12 Fixes for iPhone, Android and Desktop (2026)

Missing messages because Telegram stopped notifying you? It's one of the most common Telegram problems — and almost always fixable in a few minutes. The cause is usually a setting in Telegram, a setting on your phone, or your phone's battery saver quietly stopping the app.

Fixes for All Devices

1. Check Telegram's own notification settings

Open Settings → Notifications and Sounds and make sure notifications are on for private chats, groups and channels. Check that sounds and previews are enabled the way you want.

2. Make sure the chat isn't muted

Open the chat, tap the name at the top, and look for Unmute or a crossed-out bell. Muted chats show a speaker-off icon in the chat list.

3. Check archived chats and folders

Archived chats stay quiet by default, and chats inside muted folders don't notify you. Unarchive important chats.

4. Log out of computers you're not using

If Telegram Desktop or Telegram Web is open, notifications may go there instead of your phone. Go to Settings → Devices and end sessions you don't use — this also improves security.

5. Update Telegram

Old versions sometimes have notification bugs. Update from the App Store, Google Play or telegram.org.

6. Reset notification settings

At the bottom of Settings → Notifications and Sounds there's an option to reset all notification settings. This clears custom per-chat settings that may be blocking alerts.

iPhone Fixes

7. Allow notifications in iOS settings

Open iPhone Settings → Notifications → Telegram. Turn on Allow Notifications, and enable Lock Screen, Notification Centre, Banners and Sounds.

8. Check Focus and Do Not Disturb

A Focus mode (Sleep, Work, Personal) silences apps not on its allowed list. Open Settings → Focus and add Telegram to the allowed apps, or turn Focus off. Also check Scheduled Summary — it can delay notifications.

9. Turn on Background App Refresh

Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Telegram should be on. Low Power Mode can also delay notifications.

Android and Samsung Fixes

10. Turn off battery optimization

This is the #1 cause on Android. Go to Settings → Apps → Telegram → Battery and choose Unrestricted (or "Don't optimize"). On Samsung, also remove Telegram from Sleeping apps and Deep sleeping apps in battery settings.

11. Allow notifications and background data

In Settings → Apps → Telegram: allow notifications (and each notification category inside), and under Mobile data allow background data and use while Data Saver is on.

12. Restart, then reinstall if needed

Restart your phone. Still broken? Reinstall Telegram — your cloud chats sync back after you log in. Make sure you can receive your login code first (keep another device logged in, or set up a passkey).

Desktop Fixes (Windows and Mac)

• In Telegram Desktop: Settings → Notifications — turn on desktop notifications.
• Windows: Settings → System → Notifications — allow Telegram, and check Focus assist / Do not disturb.
• Mac: System Settings → Notifications → Telegram — allow notifications and check Focus.

Still Not Working?

• Check whether the problem is one chat (muted, archived) or all chats (phone settings, battery).
• Test with a friend sending you a message while the app is closed.
• Make sure your account isn't limited — if many of your messages fail, check @SpamBot or read Telegram account frozen.

The Bottom Line

When Telegram notifications stop, check Telegram's settings, unmute the chat, turn off Focus or Do Not Disturb, and — on Android — stop battery optimization from killing the app. If you rely on Telegram for customers, a customer support bot makes sure nobody waits even when you miss an alert.

Frequently Asked Questions