The lack of pop up notifications for WhatsApp messages on Android 10 has been a major pain point for many users. This seemingly small change has had a big impact on the WhatsApp experience and has left many wondering why such a useful feature was removed.
What are pop up notifications?
Pop up notifications, also known as heads up notifications, are notifications that pop up briefly over the current app you have open. This allows you to view the notification without having to switch apps or pull down the notification shade.
On Android 9 and earlier, WhatsApp displayed notifications in this pop up style which was extremely convenient for quickly glancing at messages. You could view the beginning of the message and the sender’s name which allowed for prioritizing which notifications to act on.
Why were pop up notifications removed in Android 10?
With the release of Android 10 in 2019, Google made changes to how notifications worked. They restricted apps’ ability to display pop up notifications in favor of bundled notifications which group multiple alerts from the same app.
The rationale was to reduce interruption and distraction by limiting how often notifications pop up over the current app. However, many users considered WhatsApp’s pop up notifications useful rather than distracting.
The impact of removing WhatsApp popup notifications
The removal of pop up notifications for WhatsApp on Android 10 has had a noticeable impact on the messaging experience for many users.
- Messages are less visible – Without a pop up, WhatsApp messages only appear in the notification shade which is easy to miss.
- Harder to quickly triage notifications – You can no longer easily glance at a preview of the message and sender.
- Breaks habits and expectations – Pop up notifications were an expected WhatsApp feature on Android so removing them is jarring.
This change slows down response time to messages as they are less obvious and requires more steps to view. Many users have voiced frustrations over this downgrade in visibility.
Workarounds to get WhatsApp pop up notifications
There are a few workarounds WhatsApp users on Android 10 have found to restore pop up notifications:
- Use a third party notification manager app – Apps like NotiEdge provide more control over notification channels.
- Revert to Android Pie – Downgrading to the previous Android version brings back native support.
- Use floating chat bubbles – Apps like ChatHead replicate a floating chat interface.
However, these all require additional apps and permissions or downgrading your OS. There is no native setting in Android 10 to re-enable WhatsApp pop up notifications.
Will WhatsApp pop up notifications come back?
There is hope that Google may restore some flexibility for apps like WhatsApp to display popup notifications in a future Android update. However, Google has not made any definitive statements on the matter.
WhatsApp has expressed that they would reimplement pop up notifications if possible as they recognize the benefit for users. But ultimately, it is up to Google and the Android OS to determine if pop ups will return.
Should you downgrade to Android Pie for WhatsApp pop ups?
While lack of pop up notifications may be inconvenient, downgrading an entire OS version purely for this WhatsApp feature is quite drastic. Here are some pros and cons to weigh:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Regain pop up notifications | – Lose other Android 10 features |
| – Improved visibility of WhatsApp messages | – Increased security risks on older OS |
| – Consistent with previous experience | – Can cause instability and app issues |
Ultimately, you have to decide if the WhatsApp notification change alone is significant enough to warrant the hassle and tradeoffs of a downgrade. For many, it is not worthwhile.
Workarounds and alternatives
If you want to keep Android 10 but improve the visibility of WhatsApp notifications, here are some workarounds:
- Use a notification manager app to customize notifications
- Set WhatApp notifications to make a sound and vibrate
- Enable the persistent notification dot icon for WhatsApp
- Use floating chat head apps to replicate pop up messages
While not perfect, these alternatives can help make messages slightly more visible. You can also try adjusting your notification checking habits to be more frequent.
Provide feedback to Google
If the lack of pop ups is significantly impacting your WhatsApp experience, make sure to provide feedback directly to Google. The more users that report the issue, the more likely a solution may be implemented in a future update.
You can share feedback by:
- Tapping “Send feedback” in Android Settings
- Submitting feedback through Google’s Issue Tracker site
- Posting on the official Android support forums
Make your voice heard so Google understands this is a highly desired feature to bring back in stock Android.
Why Google may not restore WhatsApp pop up notifications
While user feedback is important, there are reasons why Google may continue blocking WhatsApp pop up notifications in Android:
- Aligned with overall direction – Notification changes reduce distractions.
- Compliance with regulations – Some governments limit notification behaviors.
- Battery life improvements – Reduce overhead from processing pop ups.
- Promote Pixel phones – Unique notification features drive sales.
- Incentivize app updates – Forcing adaptation to new behaviors.
If these considerations outweigh user feedback, Google may leave the notification limitations in place indefinitely.
Conclusion
The removal of WhatsApp pop up notifications in Android 10 has significantly impacted the messaging experience for many users. While workarounds exist, there is currently no native setting to re-enable this useful feature.
Users should continue providing feedback to Google requesting a return of pop up notifications in a future Android release. In the meantime, evaluating alternative notification managers or trying other workarounds can help improve WhatsApp message visibility.
Downgrading the entire Android OS purely for this WhatsApp feature is not recommended for most users. Ultimately, adapting notification habits or leveraging other tools may be the most practical path forward unless Google decides to reintroduce pop up notifications.
The lack of WhatsApp pop ups on Android 10 remains a controversial change among users. With feedback and participation, hopefully notification behaviors will evolve in a way that balances user preferences, productivity and operating system advancements.
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