Fix Facebook Notifications Not Working on iPhone & iPad

If Facebook notifications have stopped appearing on your iPhone or iPad, the fix usually involves checking the app’s notification settings, your device’s notification permissions, and ensuring background app refresh is enabled. This guide walks you through each step in order, from the most common fix to deeper troubleshooting.

Why Facebook Notifications Stop on iOS

Facebook relies on Apple’s push notification service to deliver alerts. When a notification fails, it’s usually because one of these links in the chain is broken:

• Device-level permissions: iOS may have revoked Facebook’s ability to show alerts, banners, or sounds.
• In-app settings: Facebook has its own notification preferences that can override system settings.
• Background App Refresh: If disabled, the app may not fetch new data in the background, delaying or preventing notifications.
• Focus or Do Not Disturb: A Focus mode can silence notifications without you realizing it.
• App or iOS bugs: A temporary glitch after an update can stop push notifications.

Step 1: Check iOS Notification Settings for Facebook

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap Notifications.
3. Find and tap Facebook.
4. Ensure Allow Notifications is toggled on.
5. Under Alerts, enable Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners (choose Temporary or Persistent).
6. Turn on Sounds if you want an audible alert.
7. Check that Badges are enabled if you want the red count icon.

If any setting was off, turn it on, then lock your phone and ask a friend to tag you on Facebook. The notification should appear.

Step 2: Verify Facebook In-App Notification Settings

Facebook’s own settings can mute certain types of notifications. To check these:

1. Open the Facebook app.
2. Tap the Menu (three lines) in the bottom right (iPhone) or top right (iPad).
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Review each category (Posts, Tags, Comments, Friend Requests, etc.) and make sure they are set to On or Recommended.

Note that some categories may have sub-options like “On Facebook” or “Off Facebook”. Choose the one that matches how you want to be alerted.

Step 3: Enable Background App Refresh

Facebook needs Background App Refresh to check for new activity when the app isn’t open. If it’s off, notifications may be delayed or not appear at all.

1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. Ensure the toggle at the top is On.
3. Scroll down and make sure Facebook is enabled.

If you have Low Power Mode on, it automatically disables background app refresh. Turn off Low Power Mode or add Facebook to the allowed list (if your iOS version supports it).

Step 4: Check Focus and Do Not Disturb

Focus modes (Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Personal, Work) can silently block notifications. To check:

1. Open Control Center (swipe down from top-right on iPhones with Face ID, or up from bottom on older models).
2. Look for the Focus icon (a crescent moon or a custom name). If it’s active, tap it to turn it off.
3. Alternatively, go to Settings > Focus and review each active Focus. Under Allowed Notifications, you can add Facebook to allow alerts even during that Focus.

Step 5: Force Quit and Restart the Facebook App

A simple app restart can clear temporary glitches:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to open the App Switcher (or double-click the Home button on older iPhones).
2. Swipe up on the Facebook app card to close it.
3. Wait a few seconds, then reopen Facebook.

If that doesn’t work, restart your iPhone or iPad by holding the power button and either volume button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then power back on.

Step 6: Update the Facebook App and iOS

Outdated versions often have notification bugs that are fixed in updates.

• Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll to see pending updates. If Facebook is listed, tap Update.
• Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install any pending iOS updates.

Step 7: Delete and Reinstall the Facebook App

If all else fails, reinstalling resets the app’s local data and often restores notifications.

1. Press and hold the Facebook icon on the Home Screen until the menu appears.
2. Tap Remove App, then Delete App.
3. Go to the App Store, search for Facebook, and reinstall it.
4. Log in and check your notification settings again.

Note that this will erase any saved drafts or offline data, but your account and posts are safe on Facebook’s servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get Facebook notifications on my phone but not my iPad?

Each device has its own notification settings. You need to repeat all the steps above on the iPad separately. Also, if you have the same Facebook account logged in on both, notifications are sent to the device that last used the app, unless you enable notifications on both in the app’s settings.

Can Facebook notifications be delayed even when they work?

Yes. Facebook may batch notifications to save battery. If you want real-time alerts, ensure Background App Refresh is on and you have a stable internet connection. Also, check that your notification settings in the app are set to “Instant” rather than “Hourly” or “Off”.

Does Low Power Mode affect Facebook notifications?

Yes, Low Power Mode disables Background App Refresh, which can delay or prevent notifications. Turn it off or allow Facebook to refresh in the Background App Refresh settings.

Why are notification sounds not working even though banners appear?

This is usually a sound setting issue. Check that the Sounds toggle is on in the iOS notification settings for Facebook. Also, make sure your device’s ringer switch is not on silent and the volume is up.

Will logging out and back in fix notifications?

Sometimes. Logging out and back in refreshes your account session, which can clear notification glitches. Go to Settings > Log Out, then log back in. You’ll need to re-enter your password.

Do I need to keep Facebook open in the background?

No, you don’t need to keep the app open. Push notifications are handled by iOS even when the app is closed. However, if you force-quit the app, you may miss notifications until you reopen it, because iOS suspends background activity for force-quit apps.

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