If GB WhatsApp is not showing message notifications, the problem may be caused by Android settings rather than the application itself.

Modern Android phones can restrict background activity, battery usage, notifications, or data access. Manufacturer-specific settings can also prevent an app from running normally in the background.

Work through these checks one at a time.

Check Notification Permission

Open your Android settings and find GB WhatsApp under Apps or Notifications.

Make sure notifications are enabled.

Depending on your Android version, you may also see separate controls for:

  • Messages
  • Group messages
  • Calls
  • Sounds
  • Vibration
  • Lock-screen notifications
  • Notification badges

Enable the notification categories you actually want to use.

Check Do Not Disturb

If your phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, notifications may be silenced even when GB WhatsApp is configured correctly.

Turn off Do Not Disturb temporarily and send yourself a test message.

Check Battery Restrictions

Battery optimization can stop applications from running in the background.

Open the battery settings for GB WhatsApp and check whether Android is restricting its background activity.

The exact options vary by manufacturer.

Check Background Data

If background data is restricted, GB WhatsApp may not receive new messages until you open the application.

Check the app's mobile-data settings and allow background data if the option is available.

Check the App's Sound Settings

If notifications appear but you cannot hear them, check the notification sound and your phone's volume.

Also check whether the phone is in silent or vibration mode.

Check Individual Chat Settings

If notifications work for some conversations but not others, open the affected chat and check whether notifications have been muted.

A single muted conversation can look like an application-wide notification problem.

Restart GB WhatsApp

Close the app and reopen it.

Then lock the phone and send a test message.

If notifications work only while the app is open, continue checking background permissions and battery restrictions.

Restart Your Android Phone

A restart can clear temporary background-process problems.

After restarting:

  1. Open GB WhatsApp.
  2. Check notification permissions.
  3. Lock the screen.
  4. Send a test message.
  5. Check whether the notification appears.

What If Notifications Stop After an Update?

An update may change or reset some Android permissions.

Check notifications, battery settings, background data, and sound settings again after a major update.

If the update itself caused broader problems, see How to Fix GB WhatsApp Update Problems.

What If Messages Appear Only When You Open the App?

This usually points toward a background activity or connection issue.

Check:

  • Battery optimization
  • Background data
  • Notification permission
  • Wi-Fi/mobile data
  • Do Not Disturb
  • Manufacturer-specific app restrictions

Some Android manufacturers are more aggressive about stopping background applications.

Final Checklist

If GB WhatsApp notifications are not working:

  • Enable notifications
  • Check notification categories
  • Disable Do Not Disturb
  • Check battery restrictions
  • Allow background data
  • Check chat mute settings
  • Check sound and volume
  • Restart the application
  • Restart the phone

Test after each change instead of changing everything at once. This makes it easier to identify the actual cause.