How to Set Up WhatsApp Notifications on Xiaomi: From Sounds to Pop-ups

Notifications on WhatsApp on Xiaomi smartphones often become a headache for users: the sound disappears, the messages arrive with a delay, then pop-ups are not shown. The reason lies in the aggressive optimization of the MIUI battery and the peculiarities of the messenger in the background. This article will help you understand how to properly configure notifications for WhatsApp on any Xiaomi device, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

We will look not only at the basic settings in the app itself, but also at the hidden MIUI settings that affect message delivery, including issues with notification delays, lack of sound, and how to get WhatsApp to show pop-ups even on a locked screen. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and the latest versions of the messenger (2026).

Why WhatsApp Notifications Are Not Working for Xiaomi

Notification issues on Xiaomi are caused by a combination of three factors:

• 🔋 Optimizing the battery MIUI — The system automatically limits the background activity of apps, including WhatsApp, to save power.
• 📵 Autorun settings – if the messenger is not added to the list of allowed to run, it may not receive messages immediately after sending.
• 🔔 Conflict with system notifications - in MIUI There are separate settings for sounds, vibrations and pop-ups that can block WhatsApp notifications.

In addition, some models (such as the POCO X5 Pro or Redmi K60) have a bug where notifications only come after unlocking the screen, due to the work of Google Play Services and the specifics of implementing Doze Mode in MIUI. Solutions for each of these problems will be discussed below.

⚠️ Note: If you use WhatsApp Business, some settings may be different, for example, the business version does not have separate notification management for personal and work chats – all settings are globally applicable.

Basic notification settings in WhatsApp itself

Before digging into Xiaomi system settings, check the parameters inside the messenger itself. Often the problem is solved in just 2-3 clicks:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on it. ⋮ (three points) in upper right corner → Settings → Notifications.
2. Turn on the Display Notifications switch (if it is turned off).
3. Set up the sound of notifications: 🎵 Notification Sound – Select a tune (e.g. Default notification sound). 🔊 Vibration – turn on if you want tactile recoil. 💡 Light indicator – useful for devices with LED-lamp (for example, Redmi Note 11).

Pop-up notifications

Always show pop-up notifications

Note the Notification Exclusions section, where you can turn off notifications for specific chats or groups, and if you've previously added contacts, remove them from the list.

Are notifications open in the messenger itself?

Whether the notification sound is selected (not "No sound")

Whether vibration and light indicator are on (if supported)

Are pop-up notifications ("Always Show") activated?

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Set up auto-start and background activity in MIUI

The most common reason for delaying notifications is MIUI blocking WhatsApp background activity, to fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find WhatsApp on the list and tap on it.
3. Select Autostart and turn on the switch.
4. Go back and tap Permissions → turn on Display on top of other apps (required for pop-up notifications).
5. Then go to Battery → Battery Optimization and select No Limits.

For devices with MIUI 15 (e.g., Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6), the path may be slightly different: Settings → Applications → Permissions → Auto Run.

After these changes, restart the phone – this will help you apply the settings correctly.

Pop-up notifications on a locked screen

If you want WhatsApp messages to appear on top of a locked screen (like in an iPhone), you need to configure system settings:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notifications on the locked screen.
2. Turn on the button to show the contents of notifications.
3. Select WhatsApp below and prioritize it.
4. Return to Settings → Display → Lock the screen and turn on Show notifications.
5. Reset your network settings (if the problem is after the update): Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

On devices with a Snapdragon processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F4 GT), notification delays can be associated with modem drivers. Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

1. Settings → Applications → Application Management.

2.Look for both apps and click Clear Cache.

3. Reboot the phone.

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Set up sound and vibration for different chats

WhatsApp can assign individual sounds and vibrations to individual contacts or groups, which is useful if you want to distinguish messages from family, work or friends:

1. Open a chat with a contact or group.
2. Slip on the name (top of the screen) → Individual notifications.
3. Turn on the switch and set up: 🎵 Notification Sound – Choose a Unique Melody. 🔊 Vibration – Set your rhythm (e.g. Long-short-long-short-long). 💡 Light indicator – choose color (if supported).

On Xiaomi, these settings may conflict with system sounds, if the individual sound is not played:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → The default notification sound.
2. Make sure you select the default sound (not without sound).
3. Turn off Adaptive Sounds (if there is one).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Redmi) A2+) Some menu items may not be available. In this case, update the firmware to MIUI EU (Unofficial European version – more settings for managing notifications.

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The most common reason for broken notifications is the combination of disabled autostart and battery optimization. Always check both!

FAQ: Frequent Questions on WhatsApp Notifications on Xiaomi