Missing SMS badges on your Xiaomi 15 Ultra can make you miss important messages without realizing it. You might receive texts, but the Messages app icon shows no unread count at all. This issue is usually caused by notification settings, system restrictions, or background limits, and it can be fixed with a few targeted checks.
Why SMS Badges Are Not Showing on Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- Notification badges are disabled for the Messages app.
- App notifications are turned off or limited in system settings.
- Battery optimization is restricting background activity.
- The home screen launcher is not showing notification badges.
- Do Not Disturb or Focus modes are suppressing visual alerts.
Check If App Icon Badges Are Enabled
Notification badges must be enabled at the system level, otherwise no app can display unread counts. If this setting is off, SMS messages will arrive silently with no visual indicator on the app icon.
Open Settings, and then tap Notifications & Control center.
Tap App icon badges, and then toggle the switch on.
Enable Notifications for the Messages App
If message notifications are disabled, the system has nothing to count for badges. This is common after system updates or when permissions are changed accidentally.
Open Settings, and then tap Notifications.
Tap App notifications, and then select Messages to enable all alerts.
Allow Badges Specifically for Messages
Some apps have badge controls separate from general notifications. If badges are disabled only for Messages, other apps may still work normally.
Open Settings, and then tap Notifications.
Tap Messages, and then turn on Allow notification badges.
Turn Off Battery Restrictions for Messages
Aggressive battery optimization can stop Messages from running properly in the background. When this happens, badges may not update until the app is opened.
Open Settings, and then tap Battery.
Tap App battery saver, and then set Messages to No restrictions.
Check Launcher Badge Settings
If you are using the default Xiaomi launcher or a third party launcher, badges must be supported and enabled. Some launchers hide badges unless you turn them on manually.
Open Settings, and then tap Home screen.
Tap App icon badges, and then make sure badge support is enabled for your launcher.
Disable Do Not Disturb Mode
Do Not Disturb can block visual notifications, including badges, depending on your configuration. This often causes users to think notifications are broken.
Open Settings, and then tap Sound & vibration.
Tap Do Not Disturb, and then turn it off or adjust its schedule.
Restart Your Phone
A restart refreshes notification services and clears temporary system glitches. It is a simple step, but it often restores missing badges instantly.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Control Center.
Tap the Power option, and then restart the device.
Once SMS badges are enabled again, your Xiaomi 15 Ultra will clearly show unread messages on the app icon. This makes it much easier to spot new texts at a glance without opening the Messages app every time.
FAQs
Why do other app badges work but SMS badges do not?
This usually means badge notifications are disabled only for the Messages app. Checking app specific notification and badge settings fixes the issue.
Do third party SMS apps affect notification badges?
Yes. If you switch to a different messaging app, the default Messages app may stop updating badges. Make sure the active SMS app has notifications and badges enabled.
Can system updates remove notification badges?
Yes. Some updates reset notification permissions or battery rules. Rechecking badge, notification, and battery settings usually restores them quickly.
