Signal-android: Sometimes I don't receive Signal Messages until I open the app

[Tursko]

• [x ] I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• [x ] I am submitting a bug report for existing functionality that does not work as intended
• [x ] I have read https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/wiki/Submitting-useful-bug-reports
• [x ] This isn't a feature request or a discussion topic

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Bug description

Sometimes I won't get Signal IM Messages until I open up the app (then they will all flood in). It might only happen when you haven't used your phone in a while.

**NOTE: I also want to mention that I have Adaptive Battery on BUT the app is NOT optimized and data saver is not on. (I've followed the troubleshooting steps). Signal is also my default for SMS.

Steps to reproduce

• Don't have app open (and maybe don't use phone for an hour or maybe just go to bed)
• Have someone send you a message

Actual result: You won't get the notification/message until you open the app (all msgs flood in).
Expected result: You should always get the notification.

Device info

Device: Google Pixel 4
Android version: 10
Signal version: 4.50.6

Link to debug log

https://debuglogs.org/fcff22cc7d9d462ad5d4e5c87eeb0d080bd5ee2834ba03d49dabce849b184154

[UserX404]

Try this:
Android 8 and above

Follow steps for Android 6 above.

Enable Signal to run in the background.

Android phone Settings > Apps > App Info > tap our app > Battery > turn on the 'Background activity' option.

Android phone Settings > Data usage > Data saver > If data saver is disabled, stop here. If data saver is enabled go to Unrestricted data access > Enable Signal.

https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360007318711-Troubleshooting-Notifications#android_notifications_troubleshooting_phone

[Tursko]

I mentioned in my note that the app isn't optimized and data saver is not on.

[greyson-signal]

To the best of my knowledge, you just straight-up aren't getting FCM messages. I can see in your logs that no FCM messages were retrieved for a long time, then you opened the app, and messages were retrieved. There's not a ton we can do right now if the system won't deliver our FCM messages.

[dwkra]

I've had the same issue lately. SMS/MMS seem to all arrive on time, but Signal messages are delayed until i open the app. Same battery and data settings as OP, Android 10, just a different phone.

[siccovansas]

I'm having the same issue on a Samsung Galaxy S10 with Android 10 since a few weeks. My Signal version is 4.52.4, but it happened on the previous version as well.

I haven't had this issue before (i.e. the past years) and I double checked that all my background activity/power/data saving settings are correct.

Seeing that @dwkra and @Tursko both also have this issue on Android 10, I guess it might be related to that, possibly in combination with FCM as @greyson-signal suggests.

[IanSpam]

I was a big fan of Signal.
447 open issues in Signal/Android at the time I write this seems a lot. Some seem less pressing than others. Delay in getting notification of incoming messages in an "instant" message app seems like it should be near top of list.
Some answers to this thread seem to talk about the battery comment. Is that related to latency of notifications? Please let me know if it is.
Not getting notified of instant message arrival is a show stopper. I used to think this was the best most secure IM app around. Any responses or comment are most welcome. Please offer some explanation of "_

There's not a ton we can do right now if the system won't deliver our FCM messages.

_"

[Tursko]

I was a big fan of Signal.
447 open issues in Signal/Android at the time I write this seems a lot. Some seem less pressing than others. Delay in getting notification of incoming messages in an "instant" message app seems like it should be near top of list.
Some answers to this thread seem to talk about the battery comment. Is that related to latency of notifications? Please let me know if it is.
Not getting notified of instant message arrival is a show stopper. I used to think this was the best most secure IM app around. Any responses or comment are most welcome. Please offer some explanation of "_

There's not a ton we can do right now if the system won't deliver our FCM messages.

_"

My issue RARELY (2-3 times since I started using signal 5 montha ago) happens. If this issue is happening to you constantly then it's most likely a power management issue. What phone do you have?

[IanSpam]

Thanks I see also similar issue talked about in "Messages sometimes show up late and/or in bunches #8692." It is not the same though, because no battery optimisation changes were made on my device.
BIG ISSUE if instant message app is not instant.

[IanSpam]

My issue RARELY (2-3 times since I started using signal 5 montha ago) happens. If this issue is happening to you constantly then it's most likely a power management issue. What phone do you have?

Not a battery optimisation issue. Unless there is something that is not a user setting.
Phone: HTC Desire 530
Android: 6.0.1
Signal: 4.53.7