Android Notification History Not Working? 6 Fixes
Short answer: in most cases Notification access was switched off or battery optimization stopped the app. Re-enable access, exclude the app from battery optimization, and check the chat app's own notification settings.
1. Turn Notification access off and on again
Settings → Apps → Special app access → Notification access (wording varies). Toggle your log app off, then on. This reconnects the listener after an update or crash.
2. Exclude the app from battery optimization
Settings → Apps → your log app → Battery → Unrestricted. Samsung, Xiaomi and others also have "Sleeping apps" or autostart lists; remove the app from sleep lists and allow autostart.
3. Check the source app's notifications
If WhatsApp or KakaoTalk is muted, or message previews are hidden, there is no text to save. Turn notifications and previews on in that app.
4. Check the app is not excluded
Most log apps let you exclude apps. Make sure the missing app is not on that list.
5. Built-in history? Remember the 24 hours
Android's own notification history keeps only the last 24 hours. Older entries are not broken, they are gone.
6. Restart after an OS update
A system update can reset special access. Restart the phone and repeat step 1.
Doing it with Notitrail
Notitrail puts a status card at the top of the timeline that shows whether recording is on. If the connection drops it tells you and walks you through reconnecting and the battery exception, so you do not find out days later.
FAQ
Why did my notification log app stop saving?
Most often Android disconnected Notification access after an update, or battery optimization put the app to sleep.
Why are only some apps saved?
The missing app may have notifications turned off, previews hidden, or be excluded in your log app's settings.
Can I get back notifications from while it was broken?
No. Notifications that arrived while recording was off were never saved.
Recording you can check at a glance: get Notitrail (Google Play)