Troubleshoot mobile notifications

Slack won't send you mobile notifications if you've already seen the message on another device. But, if you think you're not getting mobile notifications on iOS or Android when you should, this troubleshooting guide is for you. 

💡  Learn how Slack notifications work.

Troubleshooting overview

• Start by testing your notifications. 
• If your test is not successful, jump to Unsuccessful test notification. 
• If your test is successful, but you're still not getting notifications, head to Successful test notification.

Test your notifications 

iOS

Android

1. Swipe right to left to open the sidebar. 
2. Tap Settings. 
3. Choose Notifications, then Test Notification.

Here's what's next: 

• If your test is not successful, head to Unsuccessful test notification. 
• If your test is successful, but you're still not getting notifications, head to Successful test notification. 

1. Tap the   three dots in the top right.
2. Under Notifications, choose Settings.
3. Select Notifications.
4. Tap Send me a test notification.

Here's what's next:

• If your test is not successful, head to Unsuccessful test notification. 
• If your test is successful, but you're still not getting notifications, head to Successful test notification. 

Unsuccessful test notification

iOS

Android

If your test notification wasn't successful, here's what you can try next:

Step 1: Check your iOS settings

You'll want to confirm that Slack is able to send notifications to your iOS device: 

1. Tap Settings. 
2. Locate and tap Slack. 
3. Select Notifications.
4. Make sure Allow Notifications is toggled on.

Step 2: Force close Slack

Force quit the Slack app on your mobile device, then re-launch it. 

Step 3: Reset cache

If the reboot didn't solve things, try resetting your cache: 

1. From the Slack app, tap Settings.
2. Tap Advanced.
3. Select Reset Cache. 

Step 4: Reboot your device

Turn your phone off and back on. This will reconnect the Slack app to Apple's Push Notification service.

If your test notification wasn't successful, here's what you can try next:

Step 1: Check your OS settings

You'll want to confirm that Slack is able to send notifications to your Android device:

1. Tap Settings.
2. Select Apps, then Slack.
3. Tap Notifications and make sure the toggle is set to On.

Step 2: Check Google Play Services

You'll want to make sure your device supports Google Play Services and that the Google Play Services app is up to date:

1. Open Settings on your device. 
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select Google Play Services.
4. Tap Show app details in store. 

Step 3: Check for interference

If you're using any power saving, performance optimization, or security apps on your device, they could potential block Slack notifications from being delivered. Try disabling these apps or whitelisting Slack. 

Step 4: Quit and relaunch Slack

1. Open your device's list of recently active apps.
2. Dismiss Slack.
3. Relaunch the app. 

Still having trouble? We're here to help! Drop us a line. 

Successful test notification

Your test was successful, but you're still not seeing notifications on your mobile device. What's next? Use the steps below to confirm that a setting or preference isn't preventing your notification delivery.

Step 1: Make sure your Slack notifications are turned on

To start, you'll want to confirm your Slack notifications are turned on (if they're set to Nothing, you won't receive any). 

Desktop

iOS

Android

1. From your desktop, click your workspace name in the top left.
   
2. Click Preferences from the menu.
3. Your mobile notifications will match your desktop preferences by default. Check the box next to Use different settings for my mobile devices to make changes.
4. Select your notification preference from the drop-down menu.

1. Swipe left to open the right sidebar.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Choose your preference.

Tip: Slack sends a message preview for every mobile notification. To turn the preview off, toggle Show Previews off. 

1. Tap the  three dots icon.
2. Under Notifications, tap Settings.
3. Tap On mobile, notify me about... to change which messages send notifications.

Step 2: Check your DND settings

If you set Do Not Disturb hours, all of your notifications will be disabled during a specified time frame. Use the steps below to make sure your DND hours are not snoozing your mobile notifications. 

Desktop

iOS

Android

1. Click the   bell icon in the top left. 
2. Select Do Not Disturb schedule from the menu.
3. Under Do Not Disturb, double check the time frame and make changes, if needed.
4. Click the   close icon when you’re done.

1. Swipe right to left to open the sidebar.
2. Tap Settings. 
3. Tap Do Not Disturb. 
4. Tap the toggle next to Scheduled.
5. Review your Do Not Disturb schedule and make changes, if needed.

1. Tap the   three dots in the top right.
2. Tap Settings. 
3. Under Notifications, tap Do Not Disturb. 
4. Tap the toggle next to Scheduled. 
5. Review your Do Not Disturb schedule and make changes, if needed.

Step 3: Check your mobile notification timing

You can adjust the period of time before Slack sends notifications to your mobile device. By default, timing is set to two minutes, but can go up to 30 minutes. Check that this setting isn't the cause your notification delays. 

Desktop

iOS

Android

1. From your desktop, click your workspace name in the top left.
   
2. Click Preferences from the menu.
3. Review your timing under When I'm not active on desktop...

1. Swipe left to open the right sidebar.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Tap Notify Me on Mobile. 
5. Review your mobile notification timing. 

1. Tap the  three dots icon.
2. Under Notifications, tap Settings. 
3. Tap Start mobile notifications.
4. Review your mobile notification timing.

Step 4: Check your channel notification preferences

You can set specific notification rules for a channel or conversation — you may want to double-check that mobile notifications aren't muted. Here's how to view these preferences: 

Desktop

iOS

Android

1. Click your workspace name in the top left.
   
2. Select Preferences from the menu. 
3. Choose Notifications.
4. Scroll down to Channel-Specific Notifications.
5. Click a channel or conversation to view your notification preferences. 

1. Swipe left to open the sidebar. 
2. Tap Settings. 
3. Select Notifications. 
4. Tap Channel-Specific Notifications. 

1. Tap the   three dots in the top right.
2. Tap Settings. 
3. Select Notifications. 
4. Choose Channel-Specific Notifications. 

Still having trouble? We're here to help! Drop us a line.