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Why do my WhatsApp messages only come through when I open the app iPhone?

Quick Answer

There are a few potential reasons why WhatsApp messages on iPhone may only come through when you open the app:

  • Background App Refresh is disabled for WhatsApp – This prevents WhatsApp from fetching new messages when the app is closed
  • You have Do Not Disturb enabled – This mutes notifications when your phone is locked
  • Your iPhone is low on storage space – This can prevent background processes like WhatsApp from working properly
  • WhatsApp is not optimized for iOS notifications – There may be bugs or issues with how WhatsApp handles notifications on iOS

The most common fix is to make sure Background App Refresh is enabled for WhatsApp in your iPhone settings. You can also check your Do Not Disturb settings and make sure WhatsApp notifications are not muted. Clearing up storage space and updating to the latest WhatsApp version may help as well.

What is Background App Refresh?

Background App Refresh is an iOS feature that allows apps to refresh their content and retrieve new data in the background when not in active use. This allows apps like WhatsApp to check for new messages, emails, updates etc. even when you are not directly using the app.

Here are some key points about Background App Refresh:

  • It enables apps to update and sync data in the background.
  • Helps keep app content fresh when you open them again.
  • Uses WiFi and mobile data for background refreshes.
  • Can be disabled for some or all apps to save battery life.
  • Available for apps that explicitly support the feature.

Without Background App Refresh, apps can only update their data and retrieve new content when you have them open.

Why WhatsApp needs it

For WhatsApp, Background App Refresh allows it to stay connected to WhatsApp servers and retrieve your new messages even when you don’t have the app open.

Without it, WhatsApp is unable to check for new messages in the background and can only receive them when the app is launched and connects to the servers. This is why you will see all your accumulated messages pour in only after opening WhatsApp if background refresh is disabled.

So to ensure WhatsApp can keep itself updated in real-time, Background App Refresh needs to be enabled.

How to Enable Background App Refresh for WhatsApp on iPhone

Here are the steps to enable Background App Refresh for WhatsApp on your iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on ‘General’.
  3. Tap on ‘Background App Refresh’.
  4. Under the Background App Refresh section, you have two options:
    • To enable it for all apps – Switch on ‘Background App Refresh’ at the top.
    • For individual apps – Tap on WhatsApp and switch on ‘Background App Refresh’.
  5. Also check that WhatsApp is enabled under the ‘Mobile Data’ section below.
  6. Exit Settings and check if WhatsApp messages now come through in real-time.

The WhatsApp background refresh may take a few minutes to activate after you enable it. Once enabled, WhatsApp should be able to retrieve messages and send notifications without needing the app to be launched.

Other Potential Causes

While enabling Background App Refresh is the most common fix, here are some other potential reasons why WhatsApp messages may not be coming through instantly on your iPhone:

Do Not Disturb is enabled

The Do Not Disturb mode on iPhone mutes all notifications when enabled. Check if Do Not Disturb is currently on by looking for the moon icon in your Status bar.

To allow WhatsApp notifications, open Settings > Do Not Disturb and ensure WhatsApp is not silenced under the ‘Silence’ section.

Storage space low

If your iPhone is low on storage space, it can prevent background processes like WhatsApp’s message syncing from working properly.

Free up space by offloading unused apps, deleting files and enabling iCloud storage for backups & Photo Library to lighten the load on your iPhone storage.

Outdated WhatsApp version

Using an outdated version of WhatsApp can also lead to notification issues on iOS. Ensure you are running the latest WhatsApp version by checking the App Store for any available updates.

iOS or WhatsApp bugs

In some cases, notification bugs on certain iOS versions or within the WhatsApp app may affect message alerts and syncing. Checking WhatsApp’s known issues forum and updating your iPhone’s iOS version can help resolve software quirks.

Network connection issues

As WhatsApp relies on an active internet connection to send and receive messages, any connectivity problems will prevent it from retrieving messages. Check that your WiFi or mobile data connection is working correctly.

WhatsApp notification settings

WhatsApp also has its own notification settings which need to be enabled under WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications > Message Notifications. Check they are configured correctly.

Troubleshooting Tips

If messages still do not come through instantly despite enabling background refresh, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Force close and restart the WhatsApp app
  • Toggle Airplane mode ON and OFF to reset connections
  • Sign out and back into WhatsApp on your iPhone
  • Uninstall and reinstall the latest WhatsApp version
  • Restart your iPhone
  • Check WhatsApp status page for any server outages

Workarounds

Until the issue is resolved permanently, you can try these workaround options:

Manually refresh WhatsApp

Launch WhatsApp manually every 15-30 minutes to refresh messages instead of relying on background app refresh.

Use WhatsApp Web

Open web.whatsapp.com on your computer browser and link it to your WhatsApp account to view and reply to messages from your computer. New messages will show up here instantly.

Enable WhatsApp linked devices

You can link WhatsApp to other devices like tablets. Messages will be synced across linked devices allowing you to reply from another device until the issue is fixed on your iPhone.

Receive SMS instead of WhatsApp messages

Temporarily toggle your preferences on WhatsApp to get SMS text messages instead of in-app messages. This allows you to view messages instantly like regular texts outside WhatsApp.

Preventing Recurrence

Here are some tips to prevent WhatsApp notification delays from recurring:

  • Don’t disable Background App Refresh
  • Update WhatsApp regularly
  • Maintain ample free storage space on your iPhone
  • Use stable iOS versions & avoid beta updates
  • Reset WhatsApp periodically
  • Check WhatsApp settings to customize notifications

Following these best practices will minimize the chances of facing delayed or absent WhatsApp notifications on your iPhone.

Conclusion

WhatsApp notifications not coming through instantly on iPhone is usually caused by disabled Background App Refresh. After enabling it for WhatsApp in your iOS settings, notifications should work reliably even when the app is closed. Also check your iPhone has enough storage space, latest WhatsApp updates and stable iOS version for uninterrupted background functioning.

Potential Cause Fix
Disabled Background App Refresh Enable for WhatsApp in Settings
Do Not Disturb enabled Disable DND or exclude WhatsApp
Low storage space Free up space on iPhone
Outdated WhatsApp Update to latest version
iOS bugs Update iOS version
Network issues Check WiFi/cellular data
Incorrect notification settings Modify in WhatsApp Settings

Following the troubleshooting guide, using temporary workarounds and preventing recurrence of the issue can help you resolve WhatsApp messages not coming through on iPhone until you open the app. With the right settings and latest updates, WhatsApp should be able to reliably deliver notifications instantly even when the app is in the background.