The Sunday letter · MyTextStoryIssue 01081522283337404345474848
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WhatsApp messages not arriving? Seven fixes that work
One grey tick, late notifications or messages that only appear when you open the app.
- KindWhatsApp
- DateSep 14, 2026
- Read time9 min
WhatsApp messages not arriving? Seven fixes that work
One grey tick, late notifications or messages that only appear when you open the app.
- KindWhatsApp
- DateSep 14, 2026
- Read time9 min
WhatsApp messages not arriving? Seven fixes that work
One grey tick, late notifications or messages that only appear when you open the app.
- KindWhatsApp
- DateSep 14, 2026
- Read time9 min
WhatsAppSep 14, 20269 min read
If your messages sit on one grey tick, or arrive only when you open WhatsApp, the problem is nearly always the connection or the phone's power settings, not WhatsApp itself. Here are the fixes we use, from quickest to most thorough.
First: the connection
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and send yourself a test message. Turn Airplane mode on for ten seconds and off again. If messages work on one network but not the other, the problem is that network, not your phone, so restart the router or check your data plan.
Also check that WhatsApp is allowed to use mobile data in the background: on Android in Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Mobile data; on iPhone in Settings, Mobile Data, with WhatsApp switched on.
“One grey tick means the message left your phone. Two grey ticks mean it reached theirs.
Next: battery and notifications
Battery savers are the most common cause of late messages. On Android, open Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Battery and choose Unrestricted. On iPhone, make sure Low Power Mode is off and Background App Refresh is on for WhatsApp.
Then open WhatsApp, Settings, Notifications and check that message notifications are on, and that the phone is not in Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode that silences WhatsApp.
Last: update, clear and reinstall
Update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. On Android, clear the app cache (Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Storage, Clear cache), but not the data. Restart the phone afterwards.
If nothing helps, make a fresh chat backup, then uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp and restore it. And if only one contact's messages never arrive, they may have changed number, lost their connection or blocked you.
— MyTextStory
All posts
WhatsAppSep 14, 20269 min read
If your messages sit on one grey tick, or arrive only when you open WhatsApp, the problem is nearly always the connection or the phone's power settings, not WhatsApp itself. Here are the fixes we use, from quickest to most thorough.
First: the connection
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and send yourself a test message. Turn Airplane mode on for ten seconds and off again. If messages work on one network but not the other, the problem is that network, not your phone, so restart the router or check your data plan.
Also check that WhatsApp is allowed to use mobile data in the background: on Android in Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Mobile data; on iPhone in Settings, Mobile Data, with WhatsApp switched on.
“One grey tick means the message left your phone. Two grey ticks mean it reached theirs.
Next: battery and notifications
Battery savers are the most common cause of late messages. On Android, open Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Battery and choose Unrestricted. On iPhone, make sure Low Power Mode is off and Background App Refresh is on for WhatsApp.
Then open WhatsApp, Settings, Notifications and check that message notifications are on, and that the phone is not in Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode that silences WhatsApp.
Last: update, clear and reinstall
Update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. On Android, clear the app cache (Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Storage, Clear cache), but not the data. Restart the phone afterwards.
If nothing helps, make a fresh chat backup, then uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp and restore it. And if only one contact's messages never arrive, they may have changed number, lost their connection or blocked you.
— MyTextStory
All postsWhatsAppSep 14, 20269 min read
If your messages sit on one grey tick, or arrive only when you open WhatsApp, the problem is nearly always the connection or the phone's power settings, not WhatsApp itself. Here are the fixes we use, from quickest to most thorough.
First: the connection
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and send yourself a test message. Turn Airplane mode on for ten seconds and off again. If messages work on one network but not the other, the problem is that network, not your phone, so restart the router or check your data plan.
Also check that WhatsApp is allowed to use mobile data in the background: on Android in Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Mobile data; on iPhone in Settings, Mobile Data, with WhatsApp switched on.
“One grey tick means the message left your phone. Two grey ticks mean it reached theirs.
Next: battery and notifications
Battery savers are the most common cause of late messages. On Android, open Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Battery and choose Unrestricted. On iPhone, make sure Low Power Mode is off and Background App Refresh is on for WhatsApp.
Then open WhatsApp, Settings, Notifications and check that message notifications are on, and that the phone is not in Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode that silences WhatsApp.
Last: update, clear and reinstall
Update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store. On Android, clear the app cache (Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Storage, Clear cache), but not the data. Restart the phone afterwards.
If nothing helps, make a fresh chat backup, then uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp and restore it. And if only one contact's messages never arrive, they may have changed number, lost their connection or blocked you.
— MyTextStory
All posts