7/5/2025
10 min read
Serenity Team
I'm not seeing notifications on Serenity – how do I fix that?

Learn how to troubleshoot notification issues with Serenity, including device settings, app permissions, and notification preferences.

Notifications
Settings
Troubleshooting
App Permissions
Device Settings

I'm not seeing notifications on Serenity – how do I fix that?

Notifications are an important part of the Serenity experience, helping you stay on track with your goals and receive timely support from your AI guide. If you're not receiving notifications, it can be frustrating and may cause you to miss important updates. This guide will help you troubleshoot notification issues and get your notifications working properly.

Understanding Serenity Notifications

Types of Notifications

Goal-Related Notifications

  • Daily check-ins - Reminders to review your progress
  • Milestone achievements - Celebrations when you reach goals
  • Goal reminders - Gentle nudges to work on your objectives
  • Progress updates - Updates on your goal advancement

AI Support Notifications

  • AI check-ins - Messages from your AI guide
  • Supportive messages - Encouragement and motivation
  • Helpful tips - Suggestions and advice
  • Conversation reminders - Invitations to chat with your AI

System Notifications

  • App updates - Information about new features
  • Account alerts - Important account information
  • Maintenance notices - Scheduled maintenance updates
  • Security alerts - Important security information

Notification Channels

Mobile App Notifications

  • Push notifications - Appears on your device's notification center
  • Badge counts - Number indicators on the app icon
  • Sound alerts - Audio notifications (if enabled)
  • Vibration - Haptic feedback (if enabled)

Email Notifications

  • Daily summaries - Overview of your progress
  • Important updates - Critical account or feature information
  • Weekly reports - Comprehensive progress reports
  • Special announcements - Important news and updates

Web Notifications

  • Browser notifications - Notifications from the web version
  • In-app alerts - Notifications within the web interface
  • Toast messages - Temporary pop-up notifications

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Step 1: Check Device Notification Settings

Mobile Devices (iOS)

  1. Open Settings app

    • Tap the Settings icon on your home screen
  2. Find Serenity

    • Scroll down and tap "Serenity" in the app list
    • If you don't see Serenity, it may not be installed
  3. Check notification permissions

    • Tap "Notifications"
    • Ensure "Allow Notifications" is turned ON
    • Check that all notification types are enabled:
      • Lock Screen
      • Notification Center
      • Banners
      • Sounds
      • Badges
  4. Verify notification style

    • Choose "Banners" or "Alerts" for immediate visibility
    • Avoid "None" which disables notifications

Mobile Devices (Android)

  1. Open Settings app

    • Tap the Settings icon or gear icon
  2. Navigate to Apps

    • Tap "Apps" or "Applications"
    • Find and tap "Serenity"
  3. Check permissions

    • Tap "Permissions"
    • Ensure "Notifications" is allowed
    • Check other relevant permissions
  4. Check notification settings

    • Tap "Notifications"
    • Ensure notifications are enabled
    • Check notification categories
    • Verify sound and vibration settings

Desktop/Web Browsers

  1. Check browser notification settings

    • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Site Settings → Notifications
    • Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications
    • Safari: Preferences → Websites → Notifications
    • Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Notifications
  2. Allow Serenity notifications

    • Find serenity.coach in the list
    • Set permission to "Allow"
    • Remove any "Block" settings

Step 2: Check In-App Notification Settings

Notification Preferences

  1. Open Serenity app or website

    • Log into your account
  2. Go to Settings

    • Tap your profile icon or name
    • Select "Settings" or "Preferences"
  3. Find Notification Settings

    • Look for "Notifications" or "Notification Preferences"
    • Check that notifications are enabled
  4. Review notification types

    • Goal reminders
    • AI check-ins
    • Progress updates
    • System notifications
    • Email notifications

Customize Your Preferences

  1. Choose notification frequency

    • Daily
    • Weekly
    • Only important updates
    • Custom schedule
  2. Select notification types

    • Enable/disable specific categories
    • Choose which goals to receive reminders for
    • Set AI interaction preferences
  3. Set quiet hours

    • Choose times when you don't want notifications
    • Set your timezone correctly
    • Consider your daily schedule

Step 3: Check Network and Connectivity

Internet Connection

  1. Verify internet connection

    • Check if other apps can send notifications
    • Test your internet speed
    • Try switching between WiFi and cellular data
  2. Check for network restrictions

    • Corporate networks may block notifications
    • Some public WiFi networks restrict push notifications
    • VPN connections might interfere
  3. Test notification delivery

    • Try sending yourself a test notification
    • Check if notifications work on other apps
    • Verify with a different network

Server Status

  1. Check Serenity status

    • Visit our status page if available
    • Check our social media for any known issues
    • Contact support if there are widespread problems
  2. Verify account status

    • Ensure your account is active
    • Check if there are any account restrictions
    • Verify your subscription status

Step 4: App-Specific Troubleshooting

Mobile App Issues

  1. Force stop and restart

    • Go to device settings → Apps → Serenity → Force Stop
    • Restart the app completely
    • Check if notifications work after restart
  2. Clear app data

    • Go to device settings → Apps → Serenity → Storage
    • Clear cache and data
    • Log back into the app
  3. Reinstall the app

    • Uninstall Serenity completely
    • Download and install the latest version
    • Log in and check notification settings

Web Browser Issues

  1. Clear browser cache

    • Clear browsing data and cookies
    • Remove any cached notification settings
    • Restart the browser
  2. Try different browser

    • Test notifications in a different browser
    • Check if the issue is browser-specific
    • Update your browser to the latest version
  3. Disable extensions

    • Temporarily disable browser extensions
    • Check if any extensions are blocking notifications
    • Re-enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit

Advanced Troubleshooting

Check Notification History

Review Recent Notifications

  1. Check notification center

    • Swipe down from the top of your screen (mobile)
    • Check the notification panel
    • Look for any Serenity notifications
  2. Check email

    • Look in your email inbox
    • Check spam/junk folders
    • Search for emails from Serenity
  3. Check in-app notifications

    • Look for notification badges in the app
    • Check the notifications section within Serenity
    • Review recent activity

Test Notification Delivery

Manual Testing

  1. Trigger a test notification

    • Set a goal reminder for a few minutes from now
    • Schedule an AI check-in
    • Create a test milestone
  2. Monitor delivery

    • Watch for the notification to appear
    • Check all notification channels
    • Note the timing and delivery method
  3. Document results

    • Record what works and what doesn't
    • Note any error messages
    • Keep track of troubleshooting steps tried

Device-Specific Solutions

iOS Devices

  1. Reset notification settings

    • Settings → General → Reset → Reset All Settings
    • This resets all notification preferences
    • You'll need to reconfigure notifications for all apps
  2. Check Focus modes

    • Ensure Focus modes aren't blocking notifications
    • Add Serenity to allowed apps in Focus settings
    • Check Do Not Disturb settings
  3. Verify iCloud settings

    • Ensure iCloud is properly configured
    • Check if notifications sync across devices
    • Verify Apple ID settings

Android Devices

  1. Check battery optimization

    • Go to Settings → Battery → Battery optimization
    • Ensure Serenity is not optimized (which can block notifications)
    • Add Serenity to the "Not optimized" list
  2. Check Do Not Disturb

    • Ensure Do Not Disturb is not blocking notifications
    • Add Serenity to allowed apps
    • Check scheduled Do Not Disturb times
  3. Verify Google Play Services

    • Ensure Google Play Services is up to date
    • Clear Google Play Services cache
    • Restart Google Play Services

Common Notification Issues

Notifications Not Appearing

Possible Causes:

  • Device notification settings disabled
  • App notification permissions denied
  • Network connectivity issues
  • App not running in background
  • Battery optimization blocking notifications

Solutions:

  • Check device notification settings
  • Verify app permissions
  • Test internet connection
  • Disable battery optimization for Serenity
  • Restart the app

Delayed Notifications

Possible Causes:

  • Poor internet connection
  • Device in battery saver mode
  • App background refresh disabled
  • Server delays
  • Network restrictions

Solutions:

  • Check internet speed and stability
  • Disable battery saver mode
  • Enable background app refresh
  • Try different network
  • Contact support if delays persist

Wrong Notification Times

Possible Causes:

  • Incorrect timezone settings
  • Device time not set correctly
  • Notification scheduling issues
  • App timezone configuration

Solutions:

  • Check device timezone settings
  • Verify device time is correct
  • Update notification preferences
  • Set correct timezone in Serenity

Too Many Notifications

Possible Causes:

  • Notification frequency set too high
  • Multiple notification types enabled
  • Duplicate notification settings
  • App sending excessive notifications

Solutions:

  • Adjust notification frequency
  • Disable unnecessary notification types
  • Review notification preferences
  • Contact support if notifications are excessive

Prevention and Best Practices

Regular Maintenance

Keep Apps Updated

  • Update Serenity to the latest version
  • Keep your device's operating system updated
  • Update browsers regularly

Monitor Settings

  • Periodically check notification settings
  • Review notification preferences
  • Test notification delivery occasionally

Network Management

  • Use reliable internet connections
  • Avoid networks that block notifications
  • Consider backup connection options

Optimal Configuration

Notification Strategy

  • Choose notification frequency that works for you
  • Enable only the notifications you need
  • Set appropriate quiet hours
  • Use different notification types for different purposes

Device Optimization

  • Keep sufficient storage space available
  • Manage background apps
  • Optimize battery settings for Serenity
  • Regular device restarts

When to Contact Support

Contact Support If:

Basic troubleshooting doesn't work

  • You've tried all the steps above
  • Notifications work for other apps but not Serenity
  • The issue affects all notification types

Critical notification issues

  • You're missing important goal reminders
  • AI check-ins aren't working
  • Account-related notifications aren't received

Recurring problems

  • Notifications work intermittently
  • Issues persist across different devices
  • Problems affect your ability to use Serenity effectively

Information to Provide

When contacting support, include:

  1. Device information

    • Device type and model
    • Operating system version
    • App version
    • Browser version (if using web)
  2. Issue details

    • What types of notifications aren't working
    • When the problem started
    • Steps you've already tried
    • Whether other apps' notifications work
  3. Settings information

    • Current notification settings
    • Permission status
    • Network connection type
    • Any recent changes made
  4. Screenshots

    • Notification settings screens
    • Error messages
    • App notification preferences

Conclusion

Notification issues can usually be resolved by checking device settings, app permissions, and network connectivity. Start with the basic troubleshooting steps and work through the more advanced solutions if needed.

Key Steps to Remember:

  1. Check device notification settings - Ensure permissions are enabled
  2. Verify in-app preferences - Check notification settings within Serenity
  3. Test network connectivity - Ensure stable internet connection
  4. Restart and reinstall - Clear cache and restart the app
  5. Contact support - If issues persist after trying all steps

Our Commitment:

  • Reliable notifications - We work to ensure notifications are delivered promptly
  • Multiple channels - We provide notifications through various methods
  • User control - You can customize notification preferences
  • Quick resolution - We help resolve notification issues quickly

If you're still experiencing notification problems after trying these troubleshooting steps, please contact our support team. We're here to help you get your notifications working properly so you can stay on track with your personal development goals.