How to Clear Message Notifications on Android

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If your Android is constantly notifying you of new or unread text messages that don't exist, it's usually due to your messaging app's cached or saved data. Sometimes these issues will clear up automatically upon receipt of a new message, so try asking someone to send you a message first. If the issue persists, use this wikiHow to learn some tricks for clearing those notifications permanently.

Getting Rid of Ghost Messages on Android

Open your Settings and tap the "Apps" or "Applications" menu. Tap on your messaging app and select "Storage." Tap "Clear Cache." If you still get notifications but no new messages, tap "Clear Data." Tap "OK" to continue. If you still receive notifications for messages that don't exist, uninstall and reinstall the app.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Clear the Messaging App Cache and Data

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll find it in your app drawer.
    • If you're receiving notifications for "unread" messages you've already opened (or for messages that don't appear in your SMS or messaging app's inbox), try this method. This may also resolve the issue of the badge number on the app's icon reflecting unread messages when all messages have been read.
    • Sometimes these issues will clear up automatically upon receipt of a new message. Ask someone to send you a message to see if that corrects the issue.
  2. The name of this menu will vary, but it will always contain the word App or Application .
    • If your Android doesn't display all apps by default, tap the All option. It may appear as a tab but sometimes you'll have to open a menu and select something like Show all apps . [1]
    Advertisement
  3. Choose the app for which you keep receiving non-stop notifications.
  4. It's usually a button somewhere on the page.
    • If you see an option that says Clear cache instead of Storage , you can skip this step.
  5. This clears the app's cache, which may clear up the issue. [2]
    • If you continue to get notifications for messages that aren't actually new, continue with this method.
  6. A confirmation message will appear, letting you know that you may lose data such as settings and preferences. [3]
  7. Clearing the app's data will hopefully resolve the issue. If you continue to receive notifications about messages you've already dealt with, try another method.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Uninstalling and Reinstalling the App

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can usually do this by tapping the Apps icon, which is usually at the bottom-center part of the home screen. If your Android is displaying notifications or incorrect message counts for a messaging app (such as WhatsApp, Hangouts, or Facebook Messenger), you can usually resolve it by uninstalling and reinstalling the app and clearing the data for the "BadgeProvider" service. [4]
    • If you don't see an icon with several dots or squares at that location, try swiping up from the bottom of the home screen.
  2. After a second or so, you should see a trash can icon (or the word Uninstall ) at the top or bottom of the screen. Do not lift your finger from the icon.
  3. When you lift your finger, the app will be uninstalled from your Android.
    • If the app came with your Android and cannot be uninstalled, just skip to the next step.
  4. You'll find this app in the app drawer.
  5. Depending on your Android version, this may appear as Apps & notifications or Applications . This should display a list of the apps on your Android.
    • If your Android doesn't display all apps by default, tap the All option. It may appear as a tab but sometimes you'll have to open a menu and select something like Show all apps .
  6. This is a default system app on your Android that controls the number that shows up on icon badges. [5]
  7. If you don't see this option, just skip to the next step.
  8. A confirmation message will appear. [6]
  9. Once the process is complete, you can return to the home screen.
  10. Download your messaging app again. Now that the notification badge service has been cleared you should no longer see an incorrect badge count.
    11. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Changing the Default Messaging App

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your Android's default SMS app keeps notifying you of "new" message you don't actually have, you can usually fix the issue by temporarily switching your default SMS app to something else. Android Messages is just one of many options, but it's a solid choice (even if you don't wind up keeping it). [7]
    • The Play Store is located in your Android's app drawer.
    • To download Android Messages, type messages into the Play Store's search bar, tap the search button, and then tap INSTALL next to the Messages app by Google. [8]
  2. It's the blue icon with a white chat bubble in your app drawer.
  3. You'll be prompted to do this soon after launching the app for the first time. [9] Once Messages becomes your default app, your existing SMS messages will appear in the app.
    • You may have to give the app permission to access your messages before they appear.
  4. It may appear with a red exclamation point or some other indication that there's something wrong with it. The message may just also appear highlighted since it's unread. [10]
  5. After a moment, you'll see some different icons appear at the top of the screen. [11]
  6. It's the trash can icon at the top of the screen. [12] This deletes the message from your phone, and you should no longer see notifications for it.
    • Repeat this for any other message for which you're continuously receiving notifications.
  7. If you want to continue using Android Messages (it's pretty solid!), you can skip this step. If not, here's how to get back to your prior app: [13]
    • Samsung Galaxy:
      • Open your Android's Settings app. It's the gear icon in your app drawer.
      • Tap Apps .
      • Tap the three-dot menu at the top-right corner.
      • Tap Default apps .
      • Tap Messaging Apps .
      • Select your regular messaging app and tap OK .
    • Other models:
      • Open your Android's Settings app. It's the gear icon in your app drawer.
      • Tap Apps & Notifications .
      • Scroll down and tap Advanced .
      • Tap Default apps .
      • Tap SMS app .
      • Select your regular messaging app.
    8. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Delete Text Messages from SIM Card

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you are having trouble clearing notifications or an incorrect badge count for an SMS or MMS message, try this method. The messaging app will usually be at the bottom of the home screen.
    • The options vary by messaging app.
  2. The location will vary, but it'll usually be at the top-left or top-right corner of the screen.
  4. The location may vary, but you'll usually have to select an option for Text Messages first. This will display a list of messages stored on the SIM card.
  5. You can usually do this by tapping and holding one message and then tapping additional messages.
  6. This will remove the selected messages from your phone's SIM card, which will hopefully prevent them from displaying notifications on your Android.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I stop getting text notifications about my missed calls?
    Community Answer
    Go into settings and notifications and turn off this function.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Try clearing the messages from your smart watch if you have one.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Widgets on Android
      How to
      Check What Android Version You Have
      How to
      Add an App Back to Home Screen: Tips for Finding Apps
      4 Simple Ways to Turn Off Safe Mode on Any Android
      3 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
      How to
      Find Your Phone Number on Android
      How to
      Block All Incoming Calls on an Android Phone
      How to
      Connect Android Phone to Computer
      How to
      Copy an Entire Text Conversation on Android
      How to
      Hide Apps on Android
      How to
      Change Number of Rings on Android
      How to
      Disable Parental Controls on Android
      6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
      A Guide to Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062652/
      2. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00077611/
      3. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00077611/
      4. ↑ https://faq.whatsapp.com/af/android/28000014/?category=5245260
      5. ↑ https://convergeddevices.net/what-is-badgeprovider-on-android/
      6. ↑ https://grouphowto.com/badgeprovider/
      7. ↑ https://messages.google.com/
      8. ↑ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging&hl=en&gl=US
      9. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/6089066?hl=en
      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7028817?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7028817?hl=en
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7028817?hl=en
      4. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00090222/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Settings .
      2. Tap Apps .
      3. Tap your messaging app.
      4. Tap Clear Cache .
      5. Tap Clear Data .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 493,647 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement