If SMS notification badges are not appearing on your Realme 16, you might miss important text messages without realizing it. The Messages app may receive texts, but the unread count does not show on the app icon. This usually happens because of notification settings, launcher restrictions, or background app limits in 2025.
The good news is that this problem is often caused by simple settings that can be adjusted in just a few minutes.
Why SMS Badges Are Not Showing on Realme 16
- App icon badges are turned off in the notification settings.
- The Messages app notifications are disabled.
- The launcher does not support badge counts properly.
- Background restrictions are preventing the Messages app from updating.
- Do Not Disturb mode is limiting visual alerts.
Make Sure App Icon Badges Are Enabled
Notification badges must be turned on at the system level for them to appear. If this setting is disabled, no app will show unread counts, including your SMS app.
Open Settings, and then tap Notifications and status bar.
Tap App icon badges, and then toggle it on.
Check Messages App Notification Settings
Even if badges are enabled globally, the Messages app must also be allowed to display notifications. If notifications are blocked, badges will not update.
Open Settings, and then tap App management.
Tap App list, and then select Messages.
Tap Notifications, and then make sure Allow notifications is enabled.
Enable Badge Option for Messages Specifically
Some Realme devices allow badge control per app. If the badge option is off for Messages, the unread count will not show.
Open Settings, and then tap Notifications and status bar.
Tap Manage notifications, and then select Messages.
Enable the Badge option if it is available.
Disable Background Restrictions for Messages
If the system restricts background activity, the Messages app may not update its unread count in real time. Removing restrictions ensures that badge counts refresh immediately when a new SMS arrives.
Open Settings, and then tap App management.
Tap App list, and then select Messages.
Tap Battery usage, and then choose Allow background activity.
Check Do Not Disturb Mode
Do Not Disturb can suppress visual indicators depending on your configuration. While it mainly blocks sound alerts, some custom settings may limit badge behavior.
Open Settings, and then tap Sound and vibration.
Tap Do Not Disturb, and then make sure it is turned off or properly configured.
Restart Your Phone
A quick restart refreshes the notification system and launcher. It can resolve temporary glitches that stop badges from appearing.
Press and hold the Power button, and then tap Restart.
Wait for the device to boot up fully, and then check if SMS badges appear.
SMS badges on your Realme 16 depend on several small but important settings. Once notifications, badges, and background permissions are correctly configured, unread message counts should appear normally again.
FAQs
Why do I receive SMS notifications but no badge count appears?
This usually means that app icon badges are disabled either globally or specifically for the Messages app.
Do third party launchers affect SMS badges on Realme 16?
Yes. Some launchers do not fully support Realme’s badge system, which can prevent unread counts from showing properly.
Can clearing the launcher cache fix missing badges?
Yes. Clearing the launcher cache can reset badge behavior if it becomes stuck or fails to update correctly.
