Have you ever wondered why those dots, circles, or numbers appear above the icons of some apps on your Android phone? If you have ever found them annoying or, on the contrary, you find them useful to not miss any notifications, this article is for you.Here you'll discover how to easily add, remove, and configure notification bubbles in Android apps, adapting to different versions, brands, and specific features of each phone.
Through a comprehensive guide, we will explain to you Everything you need to know about notification balloons: what they are, what they're for, how to activate or remove them, and what to do when they seem to be going away. We'll also add details on the differences between the customization layers, how to proceed if you have a Samsung phone or if you use messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, and how to make the most of this visual alert system.
What are notification balloons or dots on Android?
On most modern smartphones, especially from Android 9.0 Pie onwards, app icons may display a background. small circle, dot or even a number which indicates the presence of pending notifications. This system is known as notification balloon, bubble, notification dot, or badge. Its main function is to let you know which apps have unread notifications by simply looking at the screen, without having to pull down the top notification bar.
These balloons have evolved over time. At first, they only displayed a colored dot (usually red or orange, although this can vary depending on the model or manufacturer). Over the years and depending on the phone, some allow you to indicate the number of pending alerts, as occurs in custom layers such as One UI (Samsung) or MIUI (Xiaomi), and in Apple iPhones, where red number balloons are usually seen by default.
Keep in mind that Notification balloons do not display the full content of notifications: These only tell you when there's news, messages, or pending tasks in that app. If you long-press on the app, you may see a preview if your Android version and app allow it, but in many cases, you'll need to open the app directly to access the details.
Advantages and disadvantages of notification balloons
Before explaining how to activate or remove balloons, it is worth evaluating its pros and cons:
- Advantages:
– They allow you to identify at a glance apps with important news or notifications.
– They save you from having to check apps individually or constantly pull down the notification bar.
– Customizable on some phones to display only in certain apps.
– In recent versions, allow you to see the exact number of unread notifications. - Disadvantages:
– On some devices, they may persist or get stuck even after reading the messages.
– They can be annoying in less relevant apps (stores, games, etc.).
– They do not allow you to distinguish the type of notification (message, update, system alert, etc.) at a glance.
– Some users find them of little use if they are already paying attention to the top bar or push alerts.
The positive thing is that Android allows turn notification balloons on or off according to your preferences, either globally or app by app.
How to remove or add notification bubbles on Android
The method for managing balloons varies slightly depending on the brand, Android version, and customization layer. However, the general steps are generally very similar for most current Android phones (Android 9 or higher):
- Accede to Settings on your mobile.
- Enter the menu Applications and notifications or just Notifications (name may vary depending on the manufacturer).
- Scroll down to find the section Advanced settings or the option referring to the notification balloons.
- Click on the function Show notification icon or similar.
- Choose from all available options: all notifications, Three most recent, Only the number o None. choose None to completely remove balloons from apps.
- There is also usually a specific switch to activate or deactivate notification balloons generally.
This setting does not affect the normal operation of the applications: you will continue to receive push notifications and notifications in the top bar or on the lock screen, except you'll no longer see the bubbles above each icon on your desktop. It's an ideal option if you want a cleaner desktop with less notification clutter.
Set balloons only on selected apps
For those who want more granular control, Android allows Turn balloons on or off only in specific appsThis mode is perfect for continuing to see balloons in key apps (like WhatsApp, Instagram, or your email) but not in less important apps.
- Opens Settings and go to Applications.
- Select the app you want to configure (for example, WhatsApp).
- Press on Notifications and enters Advanced settings if your mobile shows it.
- Turns the switch on or off Allow notification balloons, Notification icons or similar, depending on the mobile.
In modern versions, it's also possible to do this from the notification itself: if you long-press on an app's notification, a quick menu may appear to access notification settings.
What if notification bubbles don't go away?
One of the most common problems is that, even after disabling the balloons or after reviewing all the messages, Some apps keep showing the dot or number on its icon. The most common causes and solutions include:
- Hidden unread notifications: You may still have unread chats, archived messages, or invisible notifications. Check all inboxes and archived chats in the problematic app.
- Application error: Sometimes the counter doesn't update due to app errors. Fix this by going to Settings > Apps, selecting the app, and using the options. Clear cache y Delete data (Note: this may erase settings and saved sessions in the app.)
- Setting up persistent notifications: Some apps keep notifications on the lock screen or bar even after opening them. Check the notification menus within each app to adjust this.
- Update or connection problems: If the app relies on the cloud, a poor internet connection could prevent notifications from being marked as read. Try updating the app or checking your connectivity.
- Battery saving: On some phones, power saving modes may interfere with the refresh of notifications and widgets.
- Sync disabled: If syncing is turned off in apps like email or messaging, balloons may freeze.
- Outdated app or system: Having an older version of Android or the app can cause abnormal balloon behavior. Update whenever possible.
- Turn off all notifications: As a last (drastic) measure, you can completely remove notifications from that app from Settings, although in most cases this is not recommended except for less relevant apps.
Specific features depending on the Android version and brand
Android is known for its diversity and customization, which means that Not all phones display or manage balloons in the same way.Let's review some specific cases highlighted in the most popular guides:
Customization layers: MIUI, One UI, EMUI
On Xiaomi phones with MIUI and Huawei phones with EMUI, the usual route is Settings > Notifications > Notification Balloons. Here you can choose to show dots, numbers, or hide them. Xiaomi even allows you to customize the color and display mode.
On Samsung with One UI, you have the option to display a color point or exact number of notifications. It's usually found under Settings > Notifications > Notification Balloons or Advanced Settings.
Android Versions: Key Differences
Notification balloon options have been integrated since Android 9. Android 11 and Android 12 chat bubbles appear, an evolution of the classic bubble, especially useful in messaging apps. Bubbles allow you to maintain a conversation in a floating window on top of any app, similar to what Facebook Messenger has been doing for years.
How do chat bubbles work?
Chat bubbles are a special feature introduced in Android 11 and improved in Android 12, primarily intended for apps like Google Messages, Telegram, and a few other compatible apps, although WhatsApp and Messenger still use their own floating window system.
- Activate chat bubbles: When you receive a notification from a compatible conversation, you'll see a small icon in the corner. When you tap it, the conversation turns into a floating bubble.
- Disable them: Tap and hold the bubble and drag it to the bottom of the screen, or go to Settings > Notifications > Bubbles to disable the feature globally or just for certain apps.
These settings are independent of the classic balloons and are primarily used for individual conversations. It is useful to know that Not all apps currently support bubbles and that manufacturers may limit or remove this feature on some custom layers.
Configure and customize notification bubbles
If your phone has Android 11 or 12, go to Settings > Notifications > Bubbles. Here you can decide whether any conversation should be shown in a bubble, only selected ones, or none at all. When enabled, you'll see the bubble icon in the notification of compatible apps. Tapping it will open the chat in a floating window, and you can move, minimize, or dismiss the bubble as desired.
For further customization, you can choose which contacts or chats should benefit from this feature from the notification itself or from the app itself (in its notifications menu).
Why aren't notification bubbles appearing on my phone?
If you don't find the option on your device, it is important to know that This feature is only available from Android 11 and not on all manufacturers.Your device may have an older version, or the customization layer may have removed this feature. Some apps are also not yet compatible. Check for available updates in Settings > Software Updates, and consult the manufacturer's website or the manual for your specific model.
Also keep in mind that, although Android has officially added bubbles, many apps, especially messaging apps, use their own system and may not integrate with Google's standard system. So, if you're looking for a consistent experience, opt for apps like Google Messages, Telegram, or Skype, which do support it.
Features of balloons on iPhone and in individual apps
If you use an iPhone or have friends with Apple devices, you'll see notification bubbles appear there with a red circle and the number of notifications. On iOS, you can manage them from Settings > Notifications, choosing whether you want to see bubbles on a per-app basis. It's not possible to remove them from all apps at once, but you can disable them individually, just like on Android.
Many apps allow you to disable bubble messages or adjust the number of notifications displayed in their built-in settings. It's a good idea to review the options in apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, and others to adapt them to your preferences.
Errors, glitches, and troubleshooting tips for balloon notifications
To avoid frustration with balloons that won't disappear, some helpful tips include:
- Restart your device after changing notification settings.
- Clear the cache and data of the problematic app.
- Reinstall the app if the problem persists.
- Check the app store to make sure both the app and the system are up to date.
- Turn off battery saver for that specific app if you suspect it's limiting notifications.
If nothing works, consult the manufacturer's official forums or technical support resources. Keep in mind that some apps are still in the process of integrating these features, so compatibility improves with updates.
Using balloons and bubbles on Android is a tool that, when tailored to your needs, can improve your notification management and avoid unnecessary distractions.
