Missing notifications on a folding phone like the Razr Plus can be especially tricky, as you might miss alerts on both the cover screen and main display. The issue often comes down to a setting that got changed, an app acting up, or a system process that needs a refresh.
I'd start with the simplest fix first, which is to check your phone's focus modes. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel and look for an icon that says "Do Not Disturb" or "Priority Only." If it's highlighted, tap it to turn it off. Also, open the Settings app, go to Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb, and make sure it's scheduled to be off.
Check App-Specific Notification Settings
Android lets you control notifications for each app individually. If you're missing alerts from a specific app like Messages or Gmail, its permissions might be off. Open Settings > Apps & notifications > See all [number] apps.
Find the app that's not notifying you and tap it. Select Notifications. Here, make sure the toggle at the top is set to "On." Then, check the categories below, like "Messages" or "Inbox," and ensure each important one is set to "Allow" and that the sound, vibration, and pop-up settings are how you want them.
Restart Your Razr Plus
A quick restart clears out temporary glitches in the system that can block notifications. Just press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart." If the phone is unresponsive, you can force a restart by holding the Power button down for about 15 seconds until you feel a vibration and see the Motorola logo.
Review Battery Optimization for Key Apps
Android's battery optimization can sometimes be too aggressive and stop apps from checking for new messages in the background. For your critical messaging and email apps, it's a good idea to exempt them.
Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access > Battery optimization. Tap the dropdown menu and select "All apps." Find the app you're having trouble with, tap it, and choose "Don't optimize." This tells the system to let that app run more freely in the background.
Clear the Cache for the Problem App
Corrupted temporary data can cause an app to malfunction silently. Clearing its cache is a safe first step that won't delete your login info or personal data. Head back to Settings > Apps & notifications, select the app, then tap Storage & cache.
Tap "Clear cache." After doing this, force close the app by tapping "Force stop" on the same screen, then reopen it. This gives the app a completely fresh start.
Ensure Background Data is Unrestricted
If an app can't use mobile data or Wi-Fi in the background, it can't receive new notifications. Check this setting by going into the app's info page in Settings (Settings > Apps & notifications > [App Name]).
Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi. Make sure both "Background data" and "Unrestricted data usage" are enabled. This is particularly important if you notice notifications only fail when you're not actively using the app.
Check for Software Updates
Motorola frequently releases updates that fix bugs, including ones related to notifications. It's worth making sure you're on the latest software. Open Settings > System > System updates and tap "Check for update." If one is available, install it. I'd recommend doing this while your phone is plugged into your 45W TurboPower charger and unfolded to avoid any cable crimping or overheating during the process.
Reset App Preferences
This is a broader fix that resets all your app-related settings, like notification permissions, default apps, and background data restrictions, back to their defaults. It won't delete any app data. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
Tap "Reset app preferences" and confirm. Afterward, you'll need to re-grant notification permissions for your apps when they first ask, but it can clear up conflicts causing the silent treatment.
Inspect the Cover Screen Notification Settings
Since the Razr Plus has an external display, there are separate controls for what shows up there. If your phone is closed and you're not seeing alerts on the cover screen, you need to check its specific settings.
Open Settings > Display > Cover screen. Look for settings like "Show notifications" or "Notification content." Make sure they are enabled. You can also customize which apps are allowed to show notifications on the cover screen from here.
Disable Any Third-Party Battery Savers or Cleaners
Apps from other developers that promise to extend battery life or clean memory often work by aggressively killing background processes. This will stop notifications dead. Go through your app list and see if you have any such apps installed, like Clean Master, DU Battery Saver, or any "performance booster."
Consider uninstalling them or, at a minimum, going deep into their settings to add your messaging apps to a "protected" or "ignore" list so they aren't targeted.
As a Last Resort, Reset All Network Settings
If notifications are failing specifically over mobile data or Wi-Fi, a network reset can help. This will erase all Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices, and mobile data settings, so you'll have to reconnect to everything. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
Select "Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth" and confirm. After the phone reboots, reconnect to your Wi-Fi and see if notifications start flowing again. This often resolves deeper connectivity issues that apps rely on.
