No notification of new mails when on lock screen!

Question

Level 4

2,299 points

No notification of new mails when on lock screen!

On my iPhone X (set up as a new phone 3 weeks ago, running 11.2.1) new mails are not showing up or making a sound when on lock screen, but if the phone´s unlocked and I´m doing something a new mail will appear immediately with a sound and banner, just as I´ve set it up. I´ve experimented by sending myself mails from my desktop iMac.

If the phone´s been on lock screen for a while and I unlock it (Face ID works perfectly with me) swiping up from the bottom shows no new mails – but once I open the standard Apple mail app any new mails appear with sound, but only if I open the mail app!

This has meant not being informed of some important mails because the phone was locked. A nuisance! I´ve done all the usual checks I can think of:

Do Not Disturb is OFF

Ringer switch is ON

Volume is set to loud

Notifications for Mail are ON, with sound and banner

Show on lockscreen is turned ON

Push is ON

Fetch set to automatic

And I´ve re-started the phone, and don´t know what else to do. I hope I'm just missing something! There are loads of online articles about iOS 11 problems with Notifications, so I wonder if this is a bug? I certainly never had this problem with iOS 9 & 10 on my iPhone SE. Before I go to the bother of re-setting network connections and sending Apple feedback I wonder if any clever person here can help me, or at least confirm it´s a known problem! My timed Reminders, messages, WhatsApp etc. all show on the lock screen as they should, so for me the problem seems to be confined to mails. Thanks for any help/advice! Cheers, Ian.

Posted on Dec 30, 2017 10:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

ProustGiulio

Level 10

209,838 points

Dec 30, 2017 10:20 AM in response to Ian Leckie

Have you checked:

Settings>Notifications>Mail>Banner (permanent instead of temporary). Then scroll down to "show preview" and set it to "Always".

Then restart your iPX and test it.

Regards

Giulio

Reply

Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Dec 31, 2017 7:08 AM in response to Ian Leckie

I'm no so sure what the Automatically setting is for Fetch. I suggest that you try setting Fetch to one of the timed settings and see what happens. If your mail account does not support push, which most do not, then see if the timed fetches work. I'm trying to research what Apple defines as Automatically, so see if I can get a definition. I have an IMAP account that I have set for Fetch, since it does not support Push. Make sure that once you tap on the account in question that you make sure it is marked for Fetch as well. I'll get back if I find a definition for Automatically for Fetch.

Reply

Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Dec 31, 2017 1:34 PM in response to Ian Leckie

Thank you for the reply. Not all mail accounts support push for the simple reason is it requires a constant connection with a sync service, such as Active Sync is used for Exchange. Gmail does a push, but only if you use their app for the mail, since Apple's mail client is no longer supported by Google to do push. Good luck with your information search. If I hear anything else about the Automatic setting I'll let you know.

Reply

Answer 4

ProustGiulio

Level 10

209,838 points

Dec 31, 2017 1:35 PM in response to Ian Leckie

I'm very sorry I couldn't help you, Ian.

I own an iP7 (11.2.1), two gmail accounts are active, and I can get mail notifications on my locked screen.

I've set them exactly as you did (the only difference is that I chose to get notifications every 30 mins... so, I've not set enabled "push", but only "fetch new data every 30 mins". And it's working fine.

Just by chance, do you have restrictions enabled?

Well, I really would like to be more helpful, but I have no further ideas about your problem.

Please, when you find a solution, keep me informed.

Happy new year to you and to your family as well.

Regards

Giulio

Reply

Answer 5

Ian Leckie Author

Level 4

2,299 points

Dec 31, 2017 4:26 AM in response to ProustGiulio

Thanks so much for replying, Giulio! I adjusted everything as you kindly suggested, and full of hope restarted my iPX. Still no mails getting through on lock screen, however, and it´s odd that messages and WhatsApp stuff get through. It does seem to be an "issue" with lots of Apple Mail users in iOS 11, so I've sent Apple feedback and will be calling my carrier in the new year. Thanks again, and do have a happy New Year! Ian.

Reply

Answer 6

Ian Leckie Author

Level 4

2,299 points

Dec 31, 2017 7:02 AM in response to ProustGiulio

No need to apologise, Giulio, I´m very grateful for your help! Restrictions are off. I turned off “Push” and set "fetch new data every 30 mins" and restarted my iPX. I sent myself 2 mails and waited 45 mins — still nothing on the lock screen!

I live 3 bus stops from a huge Apple Store here in the city centre of Hamburg, Germany, so will make an appointment with the Genius Bar in the new year and see what the bright sparks there have to say! My mail account (IMAP) is with German Telekom, so Apple here might know if there are any known problems with it. I promise to get back to you if and when I find a solution!

It´s strange, but when I do have any problems, on an iPhone or my desktop iMac (both using the standard Apple mail app) they´re always to do with mail! I can certainly live with this “problem” for now, as everything else on my iPX works beautifully! Best wishes, Ian.

Reply

Answer 7

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Dec 31, 2017 7:16 AM in response to Ian Leckie

I'm sorry, but I have searched Apple, and some other sources and cannot find what they mean by Automatically in the Fetch area. It is not defined in the iPhone User Guide, and I cannot find a reference to it when searching Apple Support. I'll keep checking, and actually someone else may arrive here and have an answer. Fingers crossed.

Reply

Answer 8

Ian Leckie Author

Level 4

2,299 points

Dec 31, 2017 11:09 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks Chris, for taking the trouble to reply, and I will try out your suggestions! As I wrote to Giulio above, I´ll get back to you if and when I find an answer. I'm also beginning to think the trouble lies with my mail account not supporting push. I thought they all did nowadays, but apparently not. I´ll only know when I go to the Apple Store here in the new year and contact my carrier, German Telekom. Their customer service is, unfortunately, a disastrous nightmare, so I'm banking on Apple helping me! A happy New Year to you! Cheers, Ian.

Reply