How do I turn on missed call alerts on Android?
What are missed call alerts?
Missed call alerts are notifications that are sent to your Android device when you miss an incoming call. These alerts inform you that someone tried to call you while your device was in silent mode, off, or otherwise unable to receive the call.
The feature provides an overview of incoming calls you may have missed so that you can know who tried to contact you. Many Android devices have the capability to generate these alerts out of the box, while some may require downloading an additional app or changing settings to enable them.
Missed call alerts can be useful for a variety of reasons. Knowing you’ve missed a call allows you to return it in a timely manner, or at least be aware that someone was trying to reach you. This can help you avoid missing important calls and maintain good communication. Some users also enable missed call alerts as part of a security system, to be notified anytime someone attempts to call them.
Overall, missed call alerts act as a log of calls you weren’t able to answer. This gives you greater awareness of communication attempts and allows you to follow up conveniently through your Android device.
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Checking if your Android phone supports missed call alerts
Not all Android phones support customizing missed call alerts, so you’ll first want to check which version of Android your device is running. Here’s how to find your Android version:
- Open your Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap About Phone.
- Look for Android Version under Software information.
Android 8.0 Oreo and newer generally have full support for customizing your missed call alerts (Android source). Older versions may have limited options or require third party apps for additional customization.
If your Android version is older than 8.0 Oreo, your options will be more limited. You can still enable basic missed call alerts through your stock Phone or Dialer app in Settings. But you likely won’t have options to customize notifications or enable advanced features. Upgrading to a newer Android version would provide more customization abilities.
Enabling missed call alerts in your Android settings
You can enable missed call alerts directly through your Android device’s Settings app. Here are the steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Tap “Apps & notifications”.
3. Tap “Notifications”.
4. Locate and tap on your Phone app from the list (may also be labeled as Dialer, Calling etc.).
5. Turn on “Missed call notifications” and adjust the sound and vibration options.
The notification settings are usually located under the “Apps & notifications” or “Sound & vibration” sections in your Settings app. Look for options like “Missed call notifications”, “Notify for calls” or similar. You can customize the alert sound and enable vibrations as per your preference.
Enabling these settings will let your Android phone alert you with a sound, vibration and notification banner whenever you miss a call. You can also set contact-specific customizations for VIPs.
Enabling alerts through your Android dialer app
Most Android phones come with a built-in dialer or phone app that includes call handling features beyond just making and receiving calls. Many of these dialer apps have their own settings for controlling missed call alerts that work in tandem with your main system settings.
To enable missed call alerts in your dialer app specifically:
- Open your phone’s default dialer app.
- Tap the menu icon or go into the app settings.
- Look for an option like “Calls” or “Missed call alerts.” It may be under Advanced settings.
- Toggle the option on to enable alerts for missed calls.
Enabling alerts in your dialer app works with the notifications set in your main system settings. Both need to be on for you to receive notifications for missed calls. The dialer settings give you more granular control over how and when alerts are sent specifically for calls.
Customizing your missed call alerts
One of the benefits of Android’s built-in missed call alerts is the ability to customize them to your preferences. Here are some of the customization options available:
Options for sounds
You can change the notification sound for missed calls by going to your Phone app’s settings. Look for a setting like “Notification sound” or “Missed call ringtone” and pick from the available options. You can use a default system sound or choose an audio file stored on your phone (Source).
Options for vibration patterns
In your sound settings, you may also see a “Vibration pattern” option for customizing the vibration of missed call alerts. You can pick from preset patterns or create your own sequence (Source).
Setting ringtone length
Some Android phones allow you to set the length of the ringtone for missed calls. Look in your Phone app settings for a “Ringtone length” option. For example, you may want a shorter ringtone during nighttime hours (Source).
Choosing alert text
You can often customize the text that appears in the missed call notification. Look for a setting like “Notification text” to change or remove the default text. Some phones even allow you to insert the caller’s name or number (Source).
Troubleshooting missed call alert issues
If you’ve enabled missed call alerts but they don’t seem to be working properly, there are a few things you can try:
Alerts not working
First, check that your missed call notifications are actually turned on. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications > Missed call notifications and make sure it’s enabled. You can also go into your dialer or phone app and check the settings there.
Make sure your ringer volume is turned up enough to actually hear the alerts. Check your volume settings and turn the ringer up if it’s too low.
Check that you don’t have Do Not Disturb mode enabled, as this will mute notifications. Turn off DND in your Quick Settings.
If you use a launcher that supports notification badges, check that you have badges enabled for your phone app icon. This displays dots for missed calls.
Alerts too quiet
If you can hear the alerts but they seem too quiet even at full volume, go to Settings > Sound and try adjusting your notification volumes. There are sliders for ring volume, media volume, alarm volume, etc – adjust the “Ring” volume.
You can also set custom notification sounds that may be louder than the default. Go into your dialer app settings and pick a more noticeable sound.
Alerts not displaying
Check that you don’t have any battery optimization enabled for your dialer or phone app, as this can prevent notifications from coming through until the app is opened. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization and disable optimization for your phone app.
Make sure notifications from your phone app aren’t blocked in your system settings. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications > Blocked and check that your dialer/phone app isn’t listed.
If issues persist, try rebooting your phone or updating to the latest OS version, as software bugs can sometimes interfere with alerts.
Using third-party apps for extra customization
While Android’s built-in settings provide basic missed call alert functionality, third-party apps from the Google Play Store offer additional customization options. Here are some top recommendations:
Missed Call Alert – Allows setting a custom alert interval, choosing different ringtones for contacts, and more.
Missed Call Alert Plus – Adds features like flashing the device light on missed calls, sending app alerts, and remote ringing to find a lost phone.
Beyond Android’s built-in settings, these apps let you tailor alerts more granularly per contact, set custom ringtones, find your phone remotely, and more. However, third-party apps may drain battery life quicker and could have hidden costs for advanced features.
Managing alerts on other Android devices
The steps to enable missed call alerts may vary slightly depending on the Android device manufacturer. Here are some key differences:
Samsung
On Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings > Notifications > Phone to customize missed call alerts. You can enable pop-up notifications and set a ringtone (source).
LG
LG smartphones allow you to enable missed call notifications in Settings > Sound & notification > Phone ringtone > Missed call (source).
Motorola
On Motorola devices, customize notifications in Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications (source).
Check your device manufacturer’s support site for exact instructions on your specific Android model.
Alternative options besides missed call alerts
While dedicated missed call alert apps provide robust customization options, there are a few other ways to be notified of missed calls on Android:
One option is to simply view your call logs. All incoming calls, whether answered or missed, are logged and can be accessed by opening the phone dialer app. The call logs display the date, time, phone number, and call duration for recent calls.
Another alternative is enabling other notification settings on your Android device. Many devices allow you to display notifications on the lock screen, notification panel, or status bar when calls are missed. You can customize which apps display notifications and how intrusive the notifications are.
For example, in your device’s Settings app under Notifications, you may be able to enable options like “Show notifications on lock screen” or “Flash notification light for calls.” This can alert you to missed calls without needing a separate app.
Displaying caller information directly on the lock screen when calls come in is another option. On some Android devices, enabling “Show caller info on lock screen” in Settings will immediately show details of incoming calls.
While these built-in options aren’t as customizable as dedicated missed call apps, they provide basic notifications without needing to install additional software. Checking your call logs also gives you a simple way to view all missed calls.[1]
Key Takeaways
Here are the main tips to remember when using missed call alerts on your Android device:
- First, check if your Android settings or dialer app has built-in options for missed call alerts. Turn these on for basic notifications.
- For more customization, use a third party app to set specific ringtones, change alert triggers, and enable advanced scheduling.
- Troubleshoot issues by checking Do Not Disturb settings and app notification access.
- Consider other options like call recording apps or alternative alert methods if you find missed call alerts limited.
Customizing your missed call alerts allows you to set unique ringtones, per-contact alerts, and scheduling for when you want notifications. Take advantage of these to create an experience perfect for your needs.
However, alternatives like call recording or active caller ID apps may work better if you need to view more details about calls frequently missed. Evaluate your specific situation to choose the right call handling tools.