It can be frustrating when you receive a WhatsApp notification but it doesn’t contain any details about the actual message. All it says is “notification” which doesn’t give you any information about who sent the message or what it’s about. There are a few potential reasons why this happens on WhatsApp.
Background on WhatsApp Notifications
WhatsApp notifications work differently depending on whether you’re using an Android device or an iPhone. On Android, WhatsApp notifications are handled through the Android system. On iPhone, they are handled through Apple’s notification system. However, on both platforms the app has some control over what information shows up in the notification.
By default, WhatsApp is configured to display minimal details in notifications to protect user privacy. So if you get a WhatsApp message, the default notification will just say “WhatsApp” or “WhatsApp Notification” without any specifics about the sender or message content.
Why Show Minimal Details?
There are a few reasons why WhatsApp limits notification details:
- Privacy – Showing message details in notifications could expose private conversations.
- Security – Not showing sensitive information in notifications prevents others from accessing it if your phone is lost or left unattended.
- Reduce disruption – Generic notifications prevent too many pop-ups from distracting you if you get multiple messages.
So in most cases, the vague “notification” message is by design to protect user privacy and security.
When Do Notification Details Show?
While WhatsApp limits notification details by default, there are some cases where more specifics will be displayed:
1. Sender Name for First Message
If you receive your very first message from a new contact, the notification will show the sender’s name. This helps provide context for who is messaging you.
2. Group Notifications
For group chats, the group name will show up instead of just “notification.” This helps you identify which group chat has new activity.
3. Message Preview Text
On both iOS and Android devices, you have the option to enable message previews in notifications. This will display a snippet of the message text so you can preview the content.
4. WhatsApp Business Notifications
When receiving messages from official WhatsApp Business accounts, more details like the business name, profile picture, and message preview may show up.
5. Third-Party Notification Apps
Using third-party apps like Noti, WAMR, etc. can override the default WhatsApp notification behavior and show more detailed previews. But these may present privacy concerns.
How to See Message Details
If you want to see more than just “notification” when receiving WhatsApp messages, here are some options:
Enable Message Previews
As mentioned above, you can enable message preview text in your WhatsApp notification settings:
- On iPhone – Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp > Show Preview
- On Android – WhatsApp > Menu Button > Settings > Notifications > Display Message Preview
This will show a snippet of the message text in notifications.
Use a Third-Party Notification App
Apps like Noti and WAMR can override the system notification settings and display full message details and previews. But note that this could impact privacy.
Quickly Open WhatsApp
To view the full message, simply open WhatsApp after receiving a vague notification. The app will take you directly to the relevant conversation.
Customize Notification Sounds
Set custom notification sounds for important chats or groups so you can identify them just by the sound.
Use Chat Previews
Many Android launchers and iOS widgets display chat previews on the home screen so you can quickly see recent messages.
Set Up Notification Exceptions
You can customize WhatsApp to always show sender names and message previews for specific important chats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone only show “notification” but my friend’s iPhone shows message details?
Your friend likely has message previews enabled under iOS notification settings for WhatsApp. You can enable this as well in Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp.
Can I make WhatsApp notifications show details by default?
Unfortunately there is no setting within WhatsApp itself to change the default notification behavior. The options are to enable iOS/Android system previews or use a third-party app.
Will using a third-party app like Noti drain my battery?
Possibly. Additional notification processing in the background can impact battery life. Check app settings for optimizing battery usage.
Is it safe to enable WhatsApp message previews?
Message previews display limited content and not full messages. As long as you trust the security of your phone lock screen and notification display, the privacy/security impact should be minimal.
Why do WhatsApp notifications sometimes show the message but other times just say “notification”?
If you only see “notification,” message previews are likely disabled. If your phone settings are unchanged, occasional previews may occur for first messages or special accounts like businesses.
Can I get desktop notifications to show more details?
The WhatsApp desktop app uses the same minimal notifications as mobile. Browser extensions like WAEnhancer can show more preview details on desktop.
Troubleshooting Tips
Confirm message previews are enabled
Double check that you’ve enabled message previews in your iOS or Android notification settings for WhatsApp. Previews are disabled by default.
Check if read receipts are enabled
In some cases, disabling read receipts may also prevent detailed notifications from coming through. Try re-enabling read receipts.
Restart your phone and app
As with many tech issues, try restarting your phone and the WhatsApp app. This clears any glitches that could be preventing proper notifications.
Check app permissions
Make sure WhatsApp has proper notifications permissions enabled in your phone’s app settings. Disabled permissions could prevent notification details.
Update to the latest WhatsApp version
Updating to the newest WhatsApp version may resolve any notification bugs in older versions that limit details.
Conclusion
While vague “notification” messages from WhatsApp can be ambiguous and frustrating, in most cases it’s done intentionally by the app for privacy, security and convenience. There are settings like message previews that can provide more context, but enabling them requires balancing benefits against potential privacy risks. With customized sounds, third party apps, or simply quick access to WhatsApp, you can still manage these ambiguous notifications. Keeping WhatsApp updated and restarting your device can also help surface notification details when they get stuck. With these tips, you should have a better understanding of why WhatsApp’s notifications behave this way, and ways to see more helpful preview details when needed.