Will Google ever address the delayed notification issue on Pixel phones?

I’ve been using two Google Pixel phones — the Pixel 8 and Pixel 7a — for several months, and I love the clean software, the camera, and the updates that come straight from Google. But there’s one thing that drives me up the wall, and it seems like I’m not alone. Delayed notifications.

It’s frustrating when you’re waiting for an important message, only to find out it arrived hours ago without your phone telling you. I’ve missed WhatsApp messages, emails, and even other alerts from apps like Trello because my Pixel decided to take its sweet time showing me the notification.

This isn’t a new problem. Back in January 2022, Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners were hoping the Android 12 update would fix this mess. I remember reading about it on our site and thinking, “Finally, Google’s going to tackle this.” But here we are, almost three years later, and the issue is still popping up.

Last year in April, we reported that Google was investigating delayed notifications on Pixel 7 and 8 models. I even wrote about my own struggles with my Pixel 8 for our sister site, TechIssuesToday, where I said, “My Google Pixel 8 can’t handle notifications like a normal phone.” It’s ridiculous that such a basic feature doesn’t work reliably.

The complaints keep coming. On Reddit, one Pixel 9 Pro XL user said, “I’ve realised the FB Messenger app gives me delayed notifications/ no notifications at all when receiving messages.” Another user posted, “I recently switched to the Pixel 9 Pro XL from iPhone, enjoying my purchase but the one thing I cannot get over is the delayed notifications.” Then there are a few recent reports even on Google’s official Issue Tracker.

It’s clear this isn’t just a one-off problem. It’s affecting people across different Pixel models and apps like Instagram, Telegram, and Gmail.

Google’s response? Not much. In a recent Issue Tracker post, a Google employee said they’ve passed the info to the development team. That’s it. No timeline, no promises, just a vague update. I get that fixing bugs can take time, but this has been dragging on for years.

Users have tried all the workarounds, like disabling adaptive battery or allowing unrestricted data usage for apps. Some say it helps a little, but the delays still happen. Others blame Android’s Doze mode, which is supposed to save battery but ends up killing notifications instead.

In fact, I tested an app designed to take phones out of Doze mode at regular intervals. This helps eliminate the problem to some extent. But should users really have to rely on third-party apps to get notifications on time?

What’s frustrating is that this isn’t just a minor inconvenience. People are missing important messages, losing time, and feeling like their phone isn’t doing its most basic job. I’ve seen comments from users who switched from iPhones or Samsungs and are shocked that their Pixel can’t handle notifications properly. Some are even thinking about jumping ship if Google doesn’t fix this soon

I want to believe Google will address this, but the silence is deafening. If they can roll out fancy AI features and camera upgrades, why can’t they fix something as fundamental as notifications? I’m tired of checking my phone manually to see if I’ve missed something. Pixel users deserve better, and it’s time Google steps up. Until then, we’re left waiting, hoping the next update finally solves this mess. But honestly, I’m not holding my breath.