Gmail is one of the most popular apps globally, with over 1.5 billion active users worldwide. It's a messaging app that comes preloaded on many smartphone models, including your TECNO, Infinix, and itel. Gmail helps make communication with friends, family, work colleagues, and business partners. But there could be times when you face the issue of Gmail notifications not working.
The experience can be disconcerting if you're expecting an important message that needs to be replied to immediately, but you couldn't do so because you are not getting Gmail notifications when the email came in. In this post, we look at 10 different ways to solve this problem.
If your Gmail doesn't send you an alert on receiving an email, you can try some of the techniques explained below to solve the issue:
Set your Gmail notifications to "On"
You'll need to change the settings below for each account if you have more than one account linked to the Gmail app.
Android:
- Launch the Gmail app on the Android smartphone or tab
- Tap the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines) in the top left
- Scroll down and tap on Settings
- Pick your account
- Tap on Notifications and choose a notification level (All, High priority only, or None)
- Tap Manage notifications. Check the options under your account and ensure the switch is turned on. For Android 7 and below, tap Inbox notifications
- Select your preferred notification settings, such as sound, vibration feature, and others
Please, keep in mind that your Android phone or tab also features notification settings, separate from those of your Gmail app.
iOS:
- Launch the Gmail app on your iOS device
- Hit the Menu icon (the 3 horizontal lines) in the top left
- Tap on Notifications and choose a notification level (All, High priority only, or None)
Change settings for labels sync
You can adjust notification settings for any labels and sync messages if Gmail notifications are not working on your phone
Android
- Launch the Gmail app on the Android smartphone or tab
- Tap the Menu icon (the 3 horizontal lines) in the top left
- Tap on Settings
- Choose your account
- Tap on Manage Labels
- Select one of your labels (such as Important)
- Tap on Sync messages and select Last 30 days or All. You won't be able to turn on notifications for that label without syncing messages
- Select your notification settings for the label.
Repeat all steps for any labels you'd like to receive notifications for.
iOS:
- Launch the Gmail app on your iOS device
- Hit the Menu icon (the 3 horizontal lines) in the top left
- Choose your account
- Tap on Notifications and select High priority only
Turn Power Saving mode off
You can do this in various ways, depending on your smartphone's model and brand. Generally, you can turn off power saving mode in Settings.
The easiest method is to swipe down the Home screen to reveal the icons for various features. You'll see the Battery Saver option in the tray; tap on it to disable the feature.
You can also turn power saving mode off in Settings>Battery.
Update your Gmail app or the System's software
If your Gmail app is out of date, the problem of Gmail notifications not working may happen. To fix the issue, you'll need to get the latest update for the messaging software from Google.
Simply open your Google Play and tap on the Menu icon (the 3 horizontal lines) in the top left. Then, select My apps & games. Under the Updates section, find the Gmail app and tap Update.
If your phone's OS needs an update, you may not be able to receive Gmail notifications. The solution is to get the latest version of the OS.
Reset Gmail app
If, after trying one or more fixes above, the Gmail notifications not working
Problem still persists, you can consider disabling the Gmail app to reset it.
Open the Settings app, and tap on Apps & notifications. Then, go through the list of apps to find Gmail. Tap on it, and select Disable. To re-enable it, click Enable on the same page.
Uninstall and reinstall your Gmail app
If Gmail isn't a default app on your phone, you can uninstall it. Launch the Settings app and select Apps & notifications. Then, scroll down the list of apps to find Gmail.
Tap on it, and select Uninstall. You can reinstall it via Google Play.
Turn Gmail Sync off and on
- Open the Settings app. Then, Scroll down and tap Accounts or Users & accounts. On that page, scroll down and tap Automatically Sync Data to turn it off.
- To turn it on again, tap on Automatically Sync Data. If you've multiple accounts on your device, choose the one you want to sync.
- Then, select Account sync
- Tap the More icon (3 dots in the right) and select Sync now
Force stop your Gmail app
You can do this via Settings > Apps & notifications > Gmail > Force Stop. Instead of Apps & notifications, you could find Apps in some models.
Turn off Adaptive Battery or Intelligent Battery
This is a battery optimization feature that makes your phone's battery last longer.
When on low battery, the option will optimize some apps' performance by reducing their notifications.
To turn off Adaptive Battery or intelligent battery, head to Settings > Battery and tap on the Gmail app > Battery optimization. Tap the icon in the upper right and select All apps. Then, scroll down; tap on Gmail; and select Don't optimize.
The procedure may vary based on your phone's make & model. But generally, you'll be able to get the Adaptive Battery or Intelligent Battery feature under Settings > Battery.
