Have you ever deleted an important notification on your Android device by mistake? We've all been there: sometimes we're so swamped with alerts and messages that we delete everything in one fell swoop, only to realize later that we've deleted something relevant. Fortunately, all is not lost. There is a way to get those notifications back on Android, even those accidentally deleted.
Android, since version 11, includes a feature called notification history, which allows you to view all the alerts that have arrived on your device. In this article we explain How to activate and use this feature, as well as other alternatives for mobile phones with older versions or those that do not have this option available.
How to enable notification history on Android
Before we explain how to access your notification history, the first thing you need to do is activate it. This feature is not enabled by default, so you have to configure it manually.
To get started, follow these steps:
- Open the app Settings on your Android device.
- Go to the section Notifications, which should be among the first options.
- Press on Notification history, which is located within the section of Notification management.
- Enable the option Use notification history.
Once activated, the history will start recording all the notifications you receive from that moment on and will allow you to view them even if you have accidentally deleted them. Please note that notifications prior to activation will not appear in the history.
How to access notification history
Once you have enabled the notification history option, there are two main ways to access it:
- If you have notifications visible, just Pull down the notification panel and click on the button History which will appear below the last notification.
- If you don't have notifications visible, you can open blank panel where it says "no notifications». By clicking on this area you will also access the complete history.
This history, in addition to showing deleted notifications, allows you to Organize notifications by applications, so you can easily filter which ones interest you the most or which ones you want to review in more detail.
Devices without Android 11: Alternatives for older versions
Although the notification history is a native feature in Android as of version 11, devices with older versions still have alternatives available. The good news is that you can create a shortcut to the notification log, although it is not as intuitive as in Android 11.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the home screen until the option appears. Widgets.
- Select the widget Shortcut to Settings and place it on the home screen.
- Then choose the option Notification log.
This will add a shortcut from where you can see all the notifications that have appeared on your device in the last few hours. While it's not as intuitive as the native option, it works pretty well and can be a lifesaver if you accidentally delete something important.
Recover notifications on Android with third-party applications
Not all Android phones have access to the notification history from the system, but luckily there are specific applications that perform this function and allow you to recover deleted notifications.
Some of the most recommended are:
- Notification History: This app gives you access to your entire notification history, categorized by app. You can also view accidentally deleted alerts and use filters to find specific notifications.
- Recent notification: A very useful app that allows you to sort notifications by time received. In addition, you can create groups of notifications from your favorite apps to access them quickly.
- unnotification: With this app you can recover an accidentally deleted notification by simply tapping on "Undo». You can also create blacklists of apps whose notifications you are not interested in recovering.
- Notificationlog: This is another simple but effective app. Although it doesn't have as many options as the previous ones, it allows you to see recent notifications directly and organize them in a simple way.
These apps are pretty easy to use, and in most cases you'll only need to give them permission to read notifications. The advantage is that you can configure them according to your needs, even saving notifications for more than 24 hours.
How to manage notifications on Samsung devices
On Samsung devices, the process is slightly different. While they have access to the same Android 11 features, the firmware layer is Samsung's customization called One UI adds some other features that are also useful.
For example, you can enable the Notification reminder so that your mobile phone will periodically notify you if you have pending notifications. To activate it:
- Go to Settings on your Samsung mobile.
- Click on Notifications and later Advanced settings.
- Activate the option Notification Reminders.
This way, you'll receive a notification from time to time if you have alerts that you haven't read, preventing you from missing anything important.
