Bubbles on Android: what they are, how to remove them and configure them

Have you ever noticed how small round windows with messages suddenly appear on the screen of your Android smartphone? This is the so-called notification bubbles function that appeared in Android 11 and has become an integral part of the interface of modern versions of the system. Many users don’t know how to interact with them correctly, why they sometimes don’t disappear, or how to turn them off completely.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at what notification bubbles are, what they are for, what applications use them most often, and - most importantly - how to customize them to suit your needs. You will learn how to remove bubbles on different versions of the system, why they may not work correctly, and what hidden features this function has. We will also answer frequently asked questions related to notification bubbles and give practical advice on optimizing them. Android, what they are for, what applications use them most often, and - most importantly - how to customize them to suit your needs. You will learn how to remove bubbles on different versions of the system, why they may not work correctly, and what hidden features this function has. We'll also answer frequently asked questions about notification bubbles and give practical tips for optimizing them.

What are bubbles on Android and what are they for?

Bubbles (or bubbles in the original terminology Android) are small floating windows that appear on top of others apps and display important notifications or quick actions. They were introduced in Android 11 as an alternative to standard notification banners so that users could quickly interact with messages without leaving the current application.

The main purpose of bubbles:

• 💬 Quick access to chats - for example, in WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook Messenger you can reply to messages without opening the application itself.
• 🔔 Display important notifications - for example, an incoming call to Skype or a reminder from Google Calendar.
• 🔄 Multitasking - Bubbles allow you to switch between tasks without losing context.

Compared to regular notifications, bubbles are more interactive. For example, in a chat bubble you can immediately write a response without going to the application itself. However, not all applications support this function - developers must implement it in their software.

What bubbles look like and where they appear

Externally, bubbles are round or oval icons with the sender’s avatar (in the case of instant messengers) or the application logo. They appear in the lower right corner of the screen and can be moved to any convenient location. When you click on the bubble, it opens into a small window with the contents of the notification.

Examples of how bubbles look in different applications:

• 📱 WhatsApp — a bubble with the interlocutor’s avatar and the latest message.
• 📧 Gmail — a bubble with the subject of the letter and a quick reply button.
• 🎮 Discord — a bubble with a notification about a new message in the channel.

Bubbles can appear in two modes:

1. Automatic — when the application itself decides that the notification is important enough.
2. On request — when the user manually selects which notifications to show as bubbles.

It is important to understand that bubbles do not replace are standard notifications in the status bar - they complement them. That is, even if you turn off bubbles, notifications will still arrive in the usual way.

What applications support bubbles on Android

Not all applications can work with bubbles - this function must be implemented by developers. At the moment, bubbles support:

Category	Example applications	Type of bubbles
Messengers	WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Viber	Chats, calls, message notifications
Mail	Gmail, Outlook, Yandex Mail	New letters, reminders
Social networks	Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn	Mentions, likes, comments
Calls and conferences	Skype, Zoom, Google Meet	Incoming calls, conference invitations

Some applications, for example Slack or Microsoft Teamsonly support bubbles in certain situations - for example, for incoming calls, but not for regular messages. It is also worth noting that in some regions or on certain devices (for example, on smartphones Xiaomi or Samsung with proprietary shells), the operation of bubbles may differ.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices with custom shells (for example, MIUI or One UI) bubbles may be disabled by default or work differently than in pure Android. Check the settings of a specific application.

How to enable or disable bubbles on Android

Bubble management is carried out both at the system level and in the settings of individual applications. Let's consider both options.

Configuring bubbles in the system

To enable or disable bubbles for all applications:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Applications → Special access → Notification bubbles (the name of the item may differ depending on the version Android).
3. Select an application from the list.
4. Set the switch to On or Off.

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy), the path may look like this: Settings → Notifications → Advanced → Bubbles notifications.

Configuring bubbles in individual applications

Many applications allow you to flexibly configure bubbles in their settings. For example, in WhatsApp:

1. Open WhatsApp and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings → Notifications → Bubbles.
3. Enable or disable the option Show bubbles.

B Telegram the path will be like this: Settings → Notifications and sounds → Chat bubbles.

Open Android Settings|Find the "Applications" section|Select the desired application|Disable the "Notification Bubbles" option-->

Why bubbles do not work or do not disappear

Sometimes bubbles may behave incorrectly: do not appear when needed, or, conversely, do not disappear after reading. Let's consider the main reasons and ways to eliminate them.

Bubbles do not appear

If bubbles do not appear, although they should, check. the following:

• 🔧 System settings - bubbles may be disabled globally (see previous section).
• 📱 Application settings - some messengers require a separate permission to show bubbles.
• 🔄 Updates - make sure you have the latest version of the application installed and system.
• 🛠️ Device manufacturer - on some smartphones (for example, Huawei or Xiaomi) bubbles can be blocked by a proprietary shell.

Bubbles do not disappear

If the bubble remains on the screen even after reading the message, try:

• 🔄 Restart the device - sometimes this helps reset frozen processes.
• 🧹 Clear the application cache - go to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Memory → Clear cache.
• 📲 Update the application - the bug may be fixed in the new version.
• 🚫 Disable and re-enable bubbles in the settings.

If the problem persists, check whether it is a specific application error. For example, Facebook Messenger sometimes bubbles freeze due to conflicts with other services Facebook.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10 and below, bubbles are not supported at the system level. If you see them in some applications, this means that the developers have implemented their own version of bubbles that may work. unstable.

Hidden features of bubbles on Android

Bubbles are not only a convenient way to interact with notifications, but also a tool with several hidden functions that not all users know about.

Moving and changing the size of bubbles

Many people do not know that bubbles can be used move around the screen. To do this:

1. Tap and hold the bubble.
2. Drag it anywhere on the screen.
3. Release your finger to lock the new position.

Unfortunately you cannot change the bubble size using standard Android tools it is determined by the application itself. However, some shells (for example, One UI from Samsung) allow you to slightly adjust the appearance.

Quick actions in bubbles

Some applications have bubbles support quick action. For example: Quick actions data-i="165">You can archive or delete emails without opening the application.

• 📞 B Skype or Zoom You can accept or reject a call right from the bubble.
• ✅ B Gmail You can archive or delete emails without opening the application.
• 🔍 In Google Maps (on some devices) the bubble shows the arrival time and allows you to quickly open the navigation.

To see the available actions, simply press the bubble and hold it for a few seconds - if they are supported, a contextual one will appear menu.

Bubbles and Do Not Disturb mode

Interesting fact: bubbles can appear even in Do Not Disturbmode if exceptions are set for them. To set this up:

1. Open Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb.
2. Select Exceptions.
3. Find the item Notification Bubbles and turn it on.

This is useful if you want important notifications (such as calls to WhatsApp) to be displayed even when the phone is in silent mode.

How to make a bubble transparent?

Unfortunately, you cannot change the transparency of bubbles using standard Android tools. However, on rooted devices or using special modules for Magisk (for example, "Bubble Customizer") you can slightly change the appearance. Be careful - such manipulations can disrupt the stability of the system.

Bubbles vs standard notifications: which is better

Many users are wondering: is it worth using bubbles or is it better to leave regular notifications? Let's compare the pros and cons of both approaches.

Criterion	Bubbles	Standard notifications
Interaction speed	✅ Instant access to actions (reply, call etc). data-i="195">Multitasking	❌ You need to open the notification panel and select the one you want
Distraction factor	❌ Can be annoying if they appear too often	✅ Less intrusive, as they are hidden in the panel
Multitasking	✅ Allows you to interact with the notification without leaving the current application	❌ Requires switching between windows
Application support	❌ Does not work in all applications	✅ Supported by all applications
Customization	✅ Can be flexibly configured for each application	✅ Also customizable, but less interactive

Choice between bubbles and standard notifications depends on your preferences. If you frequently communicate via instant messengers and value speed, bubbles will be useful. If you're annoyed by pop-ups, it's better to turn them off and use classic notifications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about bubbles on Android

Is it possible to change the color of the bubbles?

The color of the bubbles is determined by the application itself and the Android shell. In the standard version of the system, it cannot be changed, but some manufacturers (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) allow you to select a design theme, which can also affect the bubbles. There are also third-party applications for customization (for example, Bubble Customizer), but they require root access.

Why do bubbles appear only in some applications?

Bubbles only work in applications where the developers have added support for this feature. For example, WhatsApp and Telegram support bubbles, but many games or service applications do not. Also, on some devices, the manufacturer may limit the operation of bubbles due to the characteristics of the shell.

How to remove a bubble if it freezes and does not disappear?

If the bubble does not disappear after clicking on it, try:

1. Swipe it left or right - sometimes this helps to close it.
2. Reboot the device.
3. Clear the cache of the application that created the bubble (Settings → Applications → [Application] → Storage → Clear cache).
4. Disable and re-enable bubbles in settings.

If nothing helps, check whether this is a bug in a specific version of the application - it may be worth updating it or writing to support.

Is it possible to make bubbles appear only for certain contacts?

Yes, but not in all applications. For example, in WhatsApp You can set up notifications for individual chats:

1. Open a chat with the desired contact.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Notification settings.
3. Enable the option Show bubbles (if it exists).

In Telegram similar settings are found in Settings chat → Notifications. However, not all messengers provide such flexibility.

Do bubbles eat up battery power?

The bubbles themselves consume a minimal amount of energy, since they are part of the notification system. However, if bubbles appear too often (for example, in an active chat), this may indirectly affect battery consumption due to the application constantly running in the background. To reduce consumption, turn off bubbles for. unnecessary applications or limit background activity in the battery settings.