iPhone SE 1st Gen: WhatsApp no lock screen notifications

Hello

I use an old 2016 Iphone SE 1st Gen running latest software 15.8.6.

After last Whatsapp update I stopped getting the bar notifications on my lock screen, meaning I have to open the app all the time just to receive my massages.

I already tried all the Youtube guides on how to solve the Issue, including formatting my phone and reinstalling everything from scratch. none of the solutions helped.

I tried running my whatsapp on newer phone and everything was OK, no issues with bar notifications.

So I guess the problem is with my old phone.

would appreciate a solution if you have one

thank you

iPhone SE, iOS 15

Posted on Feb 15, 2026 11:04 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 24, 2026 11:36 PM

I had the same issue, and after few days of troubleshooting I finally resolved it. You may want to give this method a try. Good luck!

My case: Fixing WhatsApp Notifications on iPhone 7 Plus (iOS 15.8.6)

If WhatsApp notifications are not appearing on the lock screen, try the following steps:

1. Offload and reinstall WhatsApp

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select WhatsApp, and choose Offload App, and reinstall it.


2. Disable Background App Refresh for WhatsApp

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, and turn it off for WhatsApp.


3.Test Message Delivery

Using another phone, send a WhatsApp message to your iPhone under these scenarios:

  • While your iPhone is unlocked
  • With WhatsApp running in the background (do not swipe it away)
  • While your iPhone is locked


4.You may need to repeat this test a few times until your iPhone successfully receives a message notification on the lock screen.


5.Re-enable Background App Refresh

Once lock screen notifications start working, go back and turn on Background App Refresh for WhatsApp.


Similar questions

12 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 24, 2026 11:36 PM in response to sw192

I had the same issue, and after few days of troubleshooting I finally resolved it. You may want to give this method a try. Good luck!

My case: Fixing WhatsApp Notifications on iPhone 7 Plus (iOS 15.8.6)

If WhatsApp notifications are not appearing on the lock screen, try the following steps:

1. Offload and reinstall WhatsApp

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select WhatsApp, and choose Offload App, and reinstall it.


2. Disable Background App Refresh for WhatsApp

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, and turn it off for WhatsApp.


3.Test Message Delivery

Using another phone, send a WhatsApp message to your iPhone under these scenarios:

  • While your iPhone is unlocked
  • With WhatsApp running in the background (do not swipe it away)
  • While your iPhone is locked


4.You may need to repeat this test a few times until your iPhone successfully receives a message notification on the lock screen.


5.Re-enable Background App Refresh

Once lock screen notifications start working, go back and turn on Background App Refresh for WhatsApp.


Feb 15, 2026 11:23 AM in response to sw192

Let's see. You told us that everything was OK....before.....the latest WhatsApp update. And, the issues started after you installed the WhatsApp update.


So, what changed? Your iPhone did not change.


Sounds to me like WhatsApp has dropped some features with older iOS versions. That would explain why WhatsApp is working with newer phones running newer iOS versions, but not older phones running older iOS versions.



Feb 15, 2026 11:16 AM in response to sw192

After last Whatsapp update I stopped getting the bar notifications on my lock screen


So, what changed? Your iPhone did not change......you are asking about an update from WhatsApp. What did the support people at WhatsApp say when you contacted them about this?


So I guess the problem is with my old phone.


If the last WhatsApp update is not providing the notifications.....as you say.....the problem is not with your phone.....the problem is the last WhatsApp update.


That being said, it really is getting to be that time when you would want to start looking for a new phone. The SE that you have was introduced about 10 years ago.

iPhone SE 1st Gen: WhatsApp no lock screen notifications

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