Group Notifications Not Working on iPhone, iPad (Won’t Expand)

Troubleshoot glitches with group notifications not working on iPhone. Learn how to manage group notifications & Expand on Lock Screen.

Group notifications on the iPhone are designed to streamline and organize your notification experience, especially when you receive a high volume of messages from different apps and group conversations. Here’s why group notifications are Not Working on iPhone as expected, tapping to Expand the group Notifications, Group by App, or List.

[Must Read: How to Manage Group notifications on the Lock screen

There are 14 ways to fix group notifications not working on iPhones running the latest iOS version. 

Solution #1. Re-configure group notifications settings to Automatic

First, check the group the notifications settings to automatic for problematic apps on your iPhone. Here’s how.

Step 1: Head to the Settings App on your iPhone. Search and select Notifications.

Open the settings app tap notifications option on iPhone

Step 2: Scroll down to the Notification Style menu and tap on any app. 
Step 3: Tap Notification Grouping > Automatic

Click messenger tap notification grouping check automatic on iPhone

Solution #2. Notification Group Won’t Expand (Reset All Settings)

Resetting all settings on your iPhone can often resolve issues with group notifications not working as expected. This process will revert all system settings to their default state but will not delete your apps, data, or personal information. Here’s how you can reset all settings on your iPhone:

Step 1: Go to the Settings App on your iPhone. Select General.

Open Settings Tap General On iPhone

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.

Tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone Select Reset on iPhone

Step 3: Hit on Reset All Settings. Enter your iPhone lock screen passcode and screen time passcode if asked. 
Step 4: Atlast, select Reset All Settings

Tap on Reset All Settings Enter Passcode Click to Confirm Reset All Settings On iPhone

After resetting all settings, check if the group notifications are working correctly. If the issue persists, there might be specific settings within the app you’re using for group notifications that need adjustment, or there could be a more complex issue at hand that might require further troubleshooting steps or even contacting Apple Support or the app developer for assistance.

Solution #2. Check Set Date & Time Automatically 

Wrongly configured date & time can be a possible reason for various issues, including group notifications not working on iOS devices. Thus, we suggest checking the date & time of your device. 

Step 1: Navigate to the Settings App on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and select General.

Open Settings Tap General On iPhone

Step 3: Click on Date & Time. Enable toggle next to the Set Automatically.  

Tap on Date & Time Enable Set Automatically on iPhone

Solution #3. Ensure Focus Mode is turned off

Focus allows to focus and concentrate on the moment by turning off all distractions. However, enabling Focus Mode on your iPhone can be why group notifications are not working. Hence, we recommend to turn off this feature by following the steps below.

Step 1: Access the Control Center and select Focus
Step 2: Tap on the Focus Mode you want to disable. Once you deactivate this, all banners will go from white to grey. 

Open control center swipe down choose DNS mode turn off focus mode on iPhone

Once you deactivate this feature on your iPhone, you should turn off automatic activation to ensure Focus Mode does not get enabled on its own. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Access the Control Center & touch and hold Focus

  • Remember, Focus Mode will be replaced by the name of Focus Mode if enabled. 

Step 2: Select Three-Horizontal Dots next to the Focus Mode > Settings.

Open control center tap focus click three icon on iPhone

Step 3: Tap on Custom Schedule or Smart

Click on settings tap on smart activation turn on smart activation on iPhone

Solution #4. Disable and enable Notification

Sometimes, to fix the problem, you only need to disable and enable the notifications. And to do so, it’s pretty handy.

Step 1: Head to the Settings App on your iPhone. Search and select Notifications.

Open Settings Select Notifications on iPhone

Step 2: Scroll down to the Notification Style menu and choose any app.
Step 3: Disable the toggle next to the Allow Notifications. Wait a while, and then re-enable the toggle next to it.

Click messenger turn on allow notifications on iPhone

Solution #5. Turn off Schedule Summary

Step 1: Head to the Settings App on your iPhone. Swipe up from the bottom and tap on Notifications.

Open Settings Select Notifications on iPhone

Step 2: Select Schedule Summary and tap on the toggle next to Schedule Summary in the off position.

Turn off scheduled summary on iPhone

Solution #6. Force restart your iPhone

If the issue persists even after performing all the possible solutions, it’s time to force restart your iPhone. That’s because minor bugs within the device might be the reason for the issue. 

Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up Button.

Step 2: Press and quickly release the Volume Down Button.

Step 3: Press and hold the Side Button. When the Apple logo appears, release the Side Button. Enter you passcode and check the issue is resolved.

Hard Reboot iPhone Step by Step

Solution #7. Configure notification on lock screen for iPhone

If group notifications aren’t showing your iPhone lock screen, it may be due to the disabled lock screen notification on your device. To configure notification settings, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Head to the Settings App on your iPhone. Swipe up from the bottom and select Notifications. 

Open Settings Select Notifications on iPhone

Step 2: Ensure the toggle next to the Allow Notifications is enabled. Besides this, make sure you have checked the box for Lock Screen.

Click on messenger turn on allow notifications check lock screen on iPhone

Solution #8. Enable Background App Refresh

To prevent battery draining, you might have turned off Background App Refresh for specific apps. That’s the feasible reason you’re not receiving any group notifications. To enable background app refresh, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Head to the Settings App on your iPhone. Scroll down and select General.

Open Settings Select General on iPhone

Step 2: On the next screen, tap on Background App Refresh.
Step 3: Enable the toggle next to the problematic app

Click background app refresh turn on messenger on iPhone

Solution #9. Disable Low Power Mode and Low Data Mode

  • Disable Low Power Mode: Head to the Settings App > Battery > turn off the toggle next to the Low Power Mode.
Open Settings Choose Battery Disable Low Power Mode on iPhone

  • Disable Low Data Mode: Go to the Settings App > Cellular/Mobile Data > disable toggle next to the Low Data Mode. 
Click cellular data options tap data mode uncheck low data mode on iPhone

Solution #10. Update iOS

As always, running an outdated iOS version could be the reason why group notifications not working on iPhone. Thus, we suggest checking the iOS version by following the steps below.

Step 1: Head to Settings App on your iPhone. Scroll down and select General.

Open Settings Select General on iPhone

Step 2: Choose Software Update. Now, let your iPhone check for updates
Step 3: If available, tap on Download Now. 

Select Software Update Tap on Update Now on iPhone

Solution #11. Update App Version

Unlike outdated iOS versions, running outdated app versions can also be a reason for various in-app problems, including Group notifications not working on iPhone. To update the app, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Head to the App Store on your iPhone. Select Profile Icon from the top right corner.

Open app store app tap profile icon on iPhone

Step 2: Scroll down and tap Download Update next to the problematic app. 

Tap on messenger update click on update on iPhone

Solution #12. Reconnect Cellular or Wi-Fi connection

There is a possibility that the Wi-Fi or mobile data to which you’re connected is working properly, so we recommend turning off Airplane mode and re-enabling it. Besides this, you can also restart Wi-Fi router in case you’re connected to Wi-Fi.  

Solution #13. Contact Apple Support Team

If the issue continues even after performing all the possible solutions, then it’s time to get help from the technical team. That’s because we have tried all the solutions, and it’s the only way left. However, to contact them, there are different ways; you can read our article on how to contact Apple support team.  

Final Verdict!

That’s It! I hope, group notifications not working on iPhone is fixed. However, if you find any solution not mentioned in this article, feel free to drop it in the below comment box.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood, a Wellington-based journalist, excels in covering Apple and tech trends. With a diverse background in public safety, government, and education reporting, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, offering readers a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. Contact Her Team:- [email protected] [OR] [email protected]

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