How to Clear Message Notifications on Android

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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.

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.

Clear the Messaging App Cache and Data

• 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.

• 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] X Research source

• If you see an option that says Clear cache instead of Storage, you can skip this step.

• If you continue to get notifications for messages that aren't actually new, continue with this method.

Tap Clear data . A confirmation message will appear, letting you know that you may lose data such as settings and preferences. [3] X Research source

Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm. 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.

Uninstalling and Reinstalling the App

• 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.

Tap and hold your messaging app's icon. 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.

• If the app came with your Android and cannot be uninstalled, just skip to the next step.

• 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.

Scroll down and tap BadgeProvider . This is a default system app on your Android that controls the number that shows up on icon badges. [5] X Research source

Download your messaging app again. Now that the notification badge service has been cleared you should no longer see an incorrect badge count.

Changing the Default Messaging App

• 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] X Research source

• You may have to give the app permission to access your messages before they appear.

Locate the message you're being notified about. 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] X Research source

Tap and hold the problematic message. After a moment, you'll see some different icons appear at the top of the screen. [11] X Research source

• Repeat this for any other message for which you're continuously receiving notifications.

• 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.
  • 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.
  Advertisement Method 4 of 4:

  Delete Text Messages from SIM Card

  

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  • The options vary by messaging app.

  

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  Open your messaging app's menu. The location will vary, but it'll usually be at the top-left or top-right corner of the screen.

  

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  \n"> Tap the Settings option.

  

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  Locate and select the Manage SIM card messages section. 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.

  

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  Select the messages you want to delete. You can usually do this by tapping and holding one message and then tapping additional messages.

  

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  Tap Delete or Delete messages . This will remove the selected messages from your phone's SIM card, which will hopefully prevent them from displaying notifications on your Android.

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  Community Q&A

  How do I stop getting text notifications about my missed calls? Community Answer Go into settings and notifications and turn off this function.

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