Are you missing important SMS on your Honor? Perhaps notifications are simply disabled in the settings - or they are blocked by a battery optimizer, a third-party messenger, or system restrictions EMUI/MagicOS. In this article, we will look at all the ways to return sound and visual notifications about messages: from basic settings of the standard application Messages to fine-tuning permissions and exceptions to save battery.

Features of smartphones Honor (especially models on MagicOS 7.0+) - aggressive background optimization that can freeze applications, including the system SMS client. We will show you how to add Messages to the list of protected applications, configure notification priority, and even bypass restrictions via ADBif standard methods do not work. And if you use Google Messages or Truecaller —there is a solution for them too.

Warning: some parameters may differ depending on shell versions (EMUI 12 vs MagicOS 8.0) and regional firmware. For example, in European versions Honor 90 and Honor Magic 5 The notification menu looks different than in Chinese. If your model is older than 2021, check the relevance of the interface using the screenshots below.

1. Checking basic notification settings in the Messages app

Start with the most obvious: notifications may be disabled directly in the SMS client. Open the standard application Messages (icon with an envelope, usually preinstalled on all Honor). If you deleted it, download from AppGallery or Google Play (name: Huawei Messages for EMUI or Honor Messages for MagicOS).

Inside applications:

  • 📱 Tap on three dots in the upper right corner → select Settings.
  • 🔔 Go to section Notifications (or Alerts in older versions).
  • 🎵 Make sure that the sliders Sound, Vibration and Pop-up notifications active (color).
  • 📌 Check the item Priority notifications —it must be enabled to display messages on a locked device screen.

If everything is configured correctly here, but SMS still do not arrive, the problem lies deeper. Perhaps power saving mode or application permissionsis to blame. Let's move on to the next step.

📊 Which SMS application do you use on Honor?
Standard "Messages"
Google Messages
Truecaller
Other
I don’t know

2. Setting up notifications at the Android system level

Even if everything is turned on in the application itself Messages the system can block notifications. To check this:

  1. Open Settings phone (gear icon).
  2. Go to Applications → Manage applications (or simply Applications in MagicOS).
  3. Find in the list Messages (or Messages) and tap on
  4. Select Notifications.

In this menu:

  • ✅ Make sure all categories of notifications enabled (for example, New messages, Group chats).
  • 🔊 Check Sound —it must be assigned (usually by default Standard signal).
  • 📱 Enable Show on locked screen (the option may be called Sensitive content in MagicOS).
  • 🚫 If there is an item Do not disturb it should be disabled.

On models Honor 80, Honor X9 and newer there may also be an option here Channels notifications. Make sure that the channel SMS is not disabled and has a high priority (click on it and select Important or High).

☑️ Checking system notifications

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3. Excluding the Messages app from battery optimization

The most common reason for missing SMS notifications on Honor is an aggressive battery optimization that puts apps to sleep in the background. To fix this:

  1. Go to Settings → Battery.
  2. Select Launch applications (or Launch control in MagicOS).
  3. Find Messages in the list and tap on it.
  4. Activate the options:
    • ⚡ Autostart (allows work in the background),
    • 🔄 Secondary launch (allows you to restart after closing),
    • 📱 Working in the background (critical for receiving notifications).

On Honor Magic 4/5 and other flagships with MagicOS 7.0+ the path may differ: Settings → Battery → Advanced → Battery optimization → Exceptions. Add here Messages and other messengers.

If after these manipulations notifications still do not arrive - try disable power saving mode completely (in Settings → Battery → Power saving mode). Sometimes even “Smart Mode” can block background processes.

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After changing the battery settings, restart your phone - this will help apply the changes to system processes.

4. Checking permissions for the Messages app

Without the necessary permissions, the app won't be able to show notifications or even receive SMS. To check:

  1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Messages → Permissions.
  2. Make sure that they are enabled:
    • 📱 SMS (required!),
    • 🔔 Notifications (should be Allowed),
    • 📍 Phone (needed to identify the sender),
    • 🗃️ Storage (for backups messages).

On Android 13+ (for example, Honor Magic V2 or Honor 100) may require additional permission to Accurate notifications. It can be found in the same menu. permissions.

If some item is disabled, turn it on and restart the application Messages. After that, check the receipt of a test SMS (you can send it to yourself from another phone).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware for Honor (especially Chinese), the SMS permission may be called Reading and sending messages or Managing SMS. Without it, the application will not be able to process incoming messages.

5. Setting up notifications for alternative SMS messengers

If you are not using a standard application, but Google Messages, Truecaller or another client, the setup algorithm is similar, but with nuances. Let's take for example Google Messages (popular on global versions Honor):

  1. Open Google Messages → tap on the profile avatar → Notification settings.
  2. Enable:
    • 🔔 New messages,
    • 🎵 Sound (select a melody),
    • 📱 Pop-up notifications.
  • Go back to Phone Settings → Applications → Google Messages → Notifications and check the priority (should be High).

    • For Truecaller additional:

    • 🔍 Go to Settings → Notifications → SMS and activate all options.
    • 🛡️ In Settings → Privacy allow access to SMS (this is necessary to filter spam).

    If you use WhatsApp or Telegram for SMS (via the function SMS Connect), make sure that access to messages and notifications is allowed in the settings of these applications.

    Application Critical permissions Features on Honor
    Google Messages SMS, Notifications, Phone May conflict with the standard client - disable the duplicate application
    Truecaller SMS, Contacts, Phone Requires permission to Autostart to filter spam
    WhatsApp (SMS Connect) SMS, Storage Works only on Android 10+ and requires manual activation in the settings
    Standard Messages SMS, Notifications Can be blocked by the battery optimizer even with permissions enabled

    6. Advanced methods: ADB and resetting settings

    If none of the methods help, radical measures remain. First option — use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to force notifications to be turned on. This is relevant for Honor on EMUI 12/MagicOS 7.0, where system restrictions are especially strict.

    Instructions for ADB:

    1. Enable Developer mode (go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on Build number).
    2. Go back in Settings → System → Developer options and activate USB debugging.
    3. Connect your phone to the PC, open Command line (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) and enter: 
      adb shell pm grant com.android.mms android.permission.RECEIVE_SMS

      adb shell pm grant com.android.mms android.permission.READ_SMS
      

      adb shell pm grant com.android.mms android.permission.SEND_SMS

      (replace com.android.mms with the package of your SMS application if you are using a non-standard one).

    Second option — reset notification settings. This will not delete your SMS, but will return all notifications to factory settings: Settings → System → Reset → Reset notification settings.

    ⚠️ Attention: Using ADB requires caution. Incorrect commands can disrupt the system. If you are not sure, skip. this step and contact the service center Honor.
    What to do if notifications are duplicated after ADB?

    This means that two SMS clients are active at the same time (for example, the standard application and Google Messages). Disable notifications in one of them through Settings → Applications →. Notifications.

    7. Checking the operator and SIM card

    Sometimes the problem lies not in the phone, but in operator settings or the SIM card itself. Here's what to check:

    • 📶 Make sure that mobile network is on (in Settings → Mobile network).
    • 🔄 Restart your phone for flight mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off - this will reset the connection to the network.
    • 📱 Check whether the operator is detected correctly: go to Settings → About phone → SIM card status. If it says Unknown or Registration error —contact your operator.
    • 🔧 Update APN settings:
      1. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN).
      2. Tap on Reset to default values or enter the parameters manually (they can be found on your operator's website).

      • If the SIM card is old (more than 5 years), it may not support modern network standards (for example, VoLTE or 4G+). In this case, SMS messages may arrive with a delay or may not arrive at all. The solution is to replace the SIM with a new one in the operator’s showroom.

      On some tariffs, operators block SMS notifications from banks and services as “spam”. Check with your provider if you have a similar option activated (for example, “Protection from fraudsters” for MTS or “Antispam” for Beeline).

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about SMS notifications on Honor

      Why do SMS notifications arrive, but without sound?

      Most likely, in the sound settings for notifications, the mode is selected No sound or Vibration. Check: No sound data-i="312">Sound

      1. Settings → Sound → Sound Mode (must be Sound or Vibration + sound).
      2. In the application itself Messages: Settings → Notifications → Sound (select a melody).

      Also make sure that notification volume is not at zero (adjustable separately from media and calls).

      How to make SMS displayed on the locked screen?

      To do this you need:

      1. Go to Settings → Screen lock and password → Notifications on the lock screen.
      2. Enable the option Show notification content (or Sensitive content in MagicOS).
      3. In settings applications Messages activate Pop-up notifications.

      On Honor 70/80/90 may need to be additionally enabled Always On Display (AOD) to display notifications.

      Why do SMS arrive with a delay?

      SMS delay is usually associated with:

      • 📵 Weak network signal (check the coverage level).
      • ⚡ Battery optimization (add Messages to exceptions as described in section 3).
      • 📡 Incorrect APN settings (reset them to factory settings).
      • 🔄 Overload of the operator's network (relevant during peak hours).

      If the delays are constant, try inserting the SIM into another phone and check if the problem persists.

      Is it possible to set different sounds for different contacts?

      Yes, but only in some SMS clients:

      • Google Messages: Open a chat with the contact → Details → Notifications → Sound.
      • Truecaller: In the contact settings, select Personal notifications.
      • Standard application on Honor usually does not support this function.

      An alternative is to use applications like SMS Organizer from Microsoft, where there are flexible notification settings.

      What to do if notifications disappear after a firmware update?

      Updates EMUI/MagicOS sometimes reset the settings. Try:

      1. Reset notification settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset notification settings).
      2. Reinstall the application Messages (uninstall updates in Settings → Applications).
      3. Check if new restrictions have appeared in Settings → Battery → Battery optimization.

      If the problem persists, roll back to previous firmware version (via HiSuite) or contacting the service.

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      90% of problems with SMS notifications on Honor are solved by disabling battery optimization for the Messages application and checking permissions. Only in rare cases does intervention through ADB or a reset be required.