Signal doesn't receive messages in the background anymore

nodsocket

For the past couple weeks, I've been getting delays in receiving messages through the Signal app. The app is updated and battery optimization is set to Unrestricted. I also have the "Signal receiving messages in background" notification on which should mean the app is waiting for messages. In spite of this, I will sometimes go hours without receiving a message, and then a flood of messages will come in as soon as I open the app. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a known solution? Could something in GrapheneOS play a role in this issue?

[deleted]

nodsocket Did you try and troubleshoot?. I'm using their website APK in Owner with no Play services for over a year and I'm yet to experience any issues.

tango

nodsocket
Have you tried rebooting phone after a Signal update? Ive noticed that background connection only gets enabled after a reboot following a Signal update.

ground1882

I've also experienced this issue with Signal from Play Store

[deleted]

ground1882 Did you give a battery optimization exception to Google Play services?

nodsocket

[deleted] I did give a battery optimization.

ground1882

[deleted] I did not, though I am now experiencing issues with notifications from apps that are dependent on FCM from Play Services in general. For example, push notifications for Google Voice and Duo, in addition to those for Signal, do not arrive even with notifications fully enabled and unrestricted battery usage.

nodsocket

[deleted] Can you tell me more about your setup? I am not using play services either.

MoonshineMidnight

[deleted] Yup. Signal website APK pushes fine for me.

GrapheneLover

I've been having this same issue too, also if you manually open the app they all will come at once, makes me lose some time sensitive messages.

[deleted]

nodsocket

I'm using their website APK
in Owner
with no Play services installed
and granted battery exception to Signal
on a reliable VPN connection

If you install Signal APK in a fresh profile, without the VPN does the issue persist?

DeletedUser124

I got the same problem since a couple of weeks. Signal messages will often not be delievered to me untill I open the app.
Signal got unrestricted battery and data permissions. I don't have Play Services installed and use the Play Store (Aurora) version of Signal.

nodsocket

[deleted] I am using the Play store apk in owner profile. My VPN has a DNS ad blocker, so I'll start with that. If signal doesn't work even with a different VPN, then I'll try installing the APK on another profile.

If I install a second instance of Signal, can I link it to my same phone number or do I have to have each instance on a separate account?

Cosigner4

[deleted]

I'm using this same setup and have had no issues receiving background notifications.

[deleted]

nodsocket I am using the Play store apk

What's a Play store apk if you're not using Play services? Aurora or something?

If I install a second instance of Signal, can I link it to my same phone number or do I have to have each instance on a separate account?

If you reinstall Signal you can use the same number of course. But only instance/number can be registered simultaneously. Check their backup options too.

then I'll try installing the APK

I'd go for their website APK this time as this one is tailor-made to run without Play and updates itself too. Although Aurora version shouldn't give you any grief either.

I think it's your VPN configuration like here.

Hartmews239

I am seeing this behavior too (often I don't get notifications for Signal messages, and when I open the app a bunch come in).

Signal installed from signal.org website APK
Restored a backup into this installed APK
Use a VPN (Mullvad too)

This is a sufficiently serious problem that I'm motivated to get to the bottom of it...Signal isn't safely usable while this is going on.

I do get the sense that the reply from [deleted] is probably on to the right track with the VPN configuration, but I'm not sure how to confirm. I could run without VPN for a while I guess.

[deleted]

Hartmews239 Split tunneling makes it easy.

[deleted]

Same problem. i have play service sandbox enables, signal from aurora store. I often receive a notification with the red triangle of failure between signal and play service. I use a vpn proton.

Hartmews239

[deleted] Thanks for the suggestion, I'd seen that capability but it didn't come to mind.

I'll fire it up and see if the problem reappears over the next week or so. In any event, there's a bug somewhere and we should work to get it fixed...obviously this combination (Signal websocket + VPN) isn't exactly rare.

[deleted]

Hartmews239 Thanks for the suggestion, I'd seen that capability but it didn't come to mind.

Just be sure to uncheck Block connections without VPN in the Android settings.

[deleted]

ground1882 If you're experiencing this across the board you should really try and troubleshoot. Either you did not grant exception the the right package or it's your connectivity issues as per above.

It appears that it's just you. Mine are also as reliable as swiss watch.

[deleted]

I solved, I had previously installed signal with the installed playstore but used aurora store to install apps and update them.
After removing the playstore, problems started, so I uninstalled signal, restarted the cell phone, reinstalled signal via aurora store, the notice that now signal will not use google services and everything now works, no notification appears.