Top 10 Ways to Fix TikTok Notifications Not Working on iPhone and Android

Real-time notifications play a huge role in social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, etc. The latest updates on your posts or from your favorite creators keep you engaged with the platform. But what if TikTok app fails to send notifications? You’ll miss out on the updates, comments, or any other interactions on the app.

Do you often miss alerts from your favorite creators on TikTok? You may miss the latest compliments, comments, messages, and other updates from your followers, too. Let’s get back to your ideal TikTok experience.

1. Check TikTok Notification Permission

Let’s cover the basics first. If you have denied notification permission to TikTok, the app can’t send real-time alerts. Let’s enable the notification permission for TikTok.

iOS

Step 1: Open the Settings app and scroll to TikTok. Select Notifications.

Step 2: Enable the relevant permissions from the following menu.

Android

Step 1: Long-press on TikTok and open the App Info menu.

Step 2: Select Notifications, enable the permission, and tweak the notification style.

Step 3: You can also open Notification categories and enable alerts for relevant categories.

2. Disable Do Not Disturb

If your phone is on DND, you don’t receive notifications from TikTok and other apps. Android users can swipe down from the home screen and disable DND.

If you have an iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner and disable the Focus mode.  

3. Lock TikTok in the Background

Some Android skins have aggressive RAM management that kill apps and services in the background to preserve the battery life. However, there is a way to make an exception for TikTok.

Step 1: Open the Recent Apps menu on your Android and tap on the TikTok app card.

Step 2: Select Lock app or Keep app open.  

4. Give Background Data Permission to TikTok

TikTok may fetch data while it runs in the background to alert you about new videos, comments, or other actions. For that, it needs to use mobile data or Wi-Fi, only if you permit it. So, if TikTok doesn’t have background data permission, it may face issues sending you notifications.

Android

Step 1: Open TikTok app’s App Info menu. Select Mobile data.

Step 2: Enable the ‘Allow background data usage.’

iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app and scroll to TikTok.

Step 2: Enable the ‘Background App Refresh’ toggle.

5. Disable Data Saver Mode

While Data Saver mode does help you save data, it obstructs smooth functioning of the apps. An active data saver mode can mess up TikTok notifications on your phone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select Connections.

Step 2: Tap Data usage and disable the data saver mode.

iPhone users can follow the steps below.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app and select Mobile network.

Step 2: Tap primary SIM and disable the Low Data mode.

6. Unmute TikTok Conversations

Did you mute several conversations on TikTok and forget about them? You need to unmute chat threads in the app.

Step 1: Launch the TikTok app and tap Inbox icon on the bottom bar.

Step 2: Select a conversation and tap the three horizontal dot menu at the top-right corner.

Step 3: Disable the Mute notifications toggle.

7. Check In-App Notification Settings

Besides the Settings app on your iPhone, the TikTok app also offers the in-app notification settings to let you enjoy finer control. It’s a good idea to check them.

Step 1: Launch TikTok and move to Profile.

Step 2: Tap the three horizontal lines and open Settings and privacy.

Step 3: Select Notifications. Tap in-app notifications and enable the relevant toggles.  

It’s good to see TikTok offering several ways to customize the notification experience in the app. You can enable notifications for relevant options and disable unnecessary ones.

8. Remove TikTok From Scheduled Summary

Did you add TikTok to the schedule summary on iPhone? iOS sends alerts at set time only. You’ll need to remove TikTok from the scheduled summary on iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and scroll to Notifications.

Step 2: Select Scheduled Summary.

Step 3: Disable TikTok.  

9. Check Live Notification Settings

You can also check live notification settings for your favorite creators. So that you receive instant alerts when they go live.

Step 1: Go to Settings and privacy section in the TikTok app.

Step 2: Select Notifications.

Step 3: Tap Live notification settings.

Step 4: Tap the bell icon beside an account you follow and enable notifications for all their activities.

10. Update TikTok

An outdated TikTok app on your phone can cause issues with notifications. You need to update TikTok to the latest version from the Play Store or the App Store.  

Take Your TikTok Engagement to the Next Level

TikTok live, DM, and other notifications not working can confuse and irritate you. Before you miss other alerts, try the tricks above and start receiving instant alerts on the go. While you are at it, let us know the trick that worked for you in the comments section below.