Google Pixel’s Persistent Notification Delay in 2026
▼ Summary
– Pixel 10 series users are reporting severely delayed notifications for apps like Google Home, with alerts often arriving only after unlocking the device.
– Delayed notifications are a long-standing issue affecting multiple Pixel models, from the Pixel 4 through the latest Pixel 10 series.
– Android’s Doze battery optimization feature is suspected as the primary cause, as it restricts background activity and defers app notifications to save power.
– Some users have fixed the issue by disabling Doze via ADB commands, but this requires technical knowledge and must be repeated after each restart.
– Google has not provided an official fix, leaving users to rely on workarounds involving battery settings and app permissions.
Google Pixel users continue to face a frustrating and long-standing problem with delayed notifications, with the latest Pixel 10 series now joining the list of affected devices. Reports from Reddit users highlight significant delays in receiving Google Home alerts, security camera notifications, and even text messages, often only appearing after the phone is unlocked.
This issue is not new to the Pixel lineup. For years, owners of devices ranging from the Pixel 4 to the newest Pixel 10 have complained about notifications arriving late. It has become a recurring headache that persists across software updates and hardware generations, suggesting a deep-seated problem within the Android system itself.
One Pixel 10 Pro owner shared, “Since I got the phone at launch, getting timely notifications has been impossible. My Google Home camera alerts and baby monitor notifications from Cradlewise are all delayed. I’ll unlock the phone and suddenly see a flood of notifications, but they’re time-stamped from when the event actually happened, not when they appeared on my screen.”
Another user echoed this, stating, “Doze has always caused some delays, but now everything is affected. Even my text messages don’t notify me until I wake the phone up. It’s completely unreliable.”
The primary suspect behind these delays is Android’s Doze and App Standby features. Designed to conserve battery life by limiting background network and CPU usage when the device is idle, Doze can unfortunately postpone critical app activities, including the delivery of push notifications. While beneficial for extending battery performance, this system creates major problems for applications that depend on instant alerts, such as home security systems or messaging platforms.
Many affected users have found a workaround by disabling Doze entirely using ADB commands. This method, however, requires connecting the phone to a computer, executing specific commands, and repeating the process after every reboot. For the average user, this is far from a practical or desirable solution.
The scope of the problem is broad, impacting numerous Pixel models. Recent discussions aren’t limited to the Pixel 10; similar complaints appear in forums about the Pixel 9, Pixel 8, Pixel 8a, and earlier versions. One commenter noted, “Our whole household uses different Pixel models, and we all experience delayed Google Home notifications. Sometimes they arrive in batches, or not at all. Is this a Pixel problem or a Google Home issue?”
Another user who recently upgraded observed, “My Pixel 6a worked fine, but my new phone has constant notification pauses and hiccups.”
Despite widespread user reports and ongoing complaints, Google has not provided an official fix for the delayed notification issue. Pixel owners are left to manage the problem on their own, often resorting to adjusting battery settings, modifying app permissions, or using complex ADB tweaks. Needing to take such measures on a modern flagship phone is an inconvenience that many feel should not be necessary.
(Source: Android Authority)
