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Text Message Notifications

Recently, after updating my device with Android 4.4, my text messaging icon has had a notification of one unread message that will not go away. Even after deleting every message in the app the notification remains. Does anybody know how to fix this? Things I have tried already:

1. Deleting all text messages

2. In the apps menu under settings I have force stopped the messaging app and hit the clear data button as well

When I restart my cellphone the notification goes away for a while; however, it always returns and then won't disappear again. Could this be a problem from the recent update? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Comments

Verizon_Support

vacillos,

Oh my! Let's solve this mystery! Are you using a third party application for your messages? Is this the only notification you cannot get rid of? Please provide additional details to better assist you.

-KarenC_VZW

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vacilios

KarenC_VZW,

No, I am using the messaging application that came standard with my phone. That is the only notification that I cannot get rid of.

Let me know if there are any more details that I can provide. Thanks

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Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

BEvans1212

I am also currently experiencing the same issue and would appreciate some guidance on how to correct it on my Droid Ultra. Thank you!

Verizon_Support

vacilios, thanks for those details. This messaging issue isn't a known problem caused by the recent software update. However, when downloading 3rd party applications, some application software can affect the performance of your device. Try uninstalling any unwanted applications and power your device off/on to soft reset.

Have you checked your voice mail feature? This may be a voice mail notification. Acces your voice mail, enter your password, and check your voice mail inbox. Once you have checked your messages, press the (*) star key to end that session. Keep us posted.

LasinaH_VZW

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mcbman

I am also having this problem. I have never installed a third party sms app and I do not have any voicemails... however the default SMS Icon is always showing 1 unread message.

BEvans1212

Like the previous person mentioned, I also do not have a third party SMS software, nor do I have any voicemails. My issue started on Sunday evening when I deleted a text messaging conversation right as the same person was sending me another text message. Since then, it has shown a 1 next to my messages even though I do not have any messages. I have tried everything to clear this, even going into the contacts and opening up a new sms with the person who sent the one I deleted...still no luck.

Verizon_Support

BEvans1212,

I'm sorry to hear that you have also been effected by this particular issue. We appreciate you taking the necessary steps to help resolve this concern. If all of the steps listed by the previous representative did not resolve this issue, we may need to try a hard reset.

For steps on how to complete this step click http://vz.to/1cw4C8w Let us know if this helps?

EfrainM_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

UnclePhil

Sometime in the middle of Atlanta snowmageddon Tuesday, while sending and receiving more texts than I ever have in such a short period, the Messaging icon on my Samsung Galaxy Stellar, running Android 4.1.2, began showing 1 unread message. Didn't matter if I had 0 or 5 actual unread messages. Verified no voice mails either. Rebooted phone and even pulled the battery a couple of minutes. No change. Then found this at:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-galaxy-s-iii/188578-text-message-icon-showing-three-unread-messages.html

Go to Settings - Application Manager - All - select BADGEPROVIDER - Clear Data. Restart Phone.

Let there be dancing in the streets, it's fixed! I won't even pretend to understand why.

Also, I didn't lose any contacts, pictures, apps, or any other data as I would in a factory reset.

mcbman

Do not have "BADGEPROVIDER".. have trieds clearinging Data and Cache from the Messages application. also forced stop on the application. Have did Hard reset. Nothing works. Still stuck saying 1 unread message

jlitersk

Has anyone found a fix for this yet?

BEvans1212

I took mine into the Verizon store and they performed a hard reset and it went away.

Verizon_Support

I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing similar issues jiltersk. If you retained all your apps during the OS update, we do recommend a hard reset. http://vz.to/1dBVfnN

JonathanK_VZW

VZW Support

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Babynurse350

I was having this problem for a couple of days, so today I tried the phone reset (not sure what the process is actually called - reboot, maybe?), that is done by holding down the volume down button and the power button at the same time until the phone powered down. When it came back on, the annoying phantom text message notification was gone and has not returned.

PoppyGolem

Okay I too have this same issue during the snowstorm. Was doing a SMS to notify all my employees not to come in to work. My message icon (default) shows I have 1 text unread. When I open my messages, there is not one there. I have deleted all my text messages, deleted all my voicemails, checked all my emails, performed the "soft reset", cleared the cache and data from Badger and Messaging under Apps. I really really really do not want to do a "hard reset" to fix this issue.

Any ideas what causes this and how to fix? The Verizon Tech support team over phone is of no help. I might be a little OCD when it comes to my phone. The annoying icon saying you have an unread text message and you actually do not gives me such a headache because I think it's one of my employees trying to reach me for an issue.

Verizon_Support

PoppyGolem, I'd like to bring an end to that headache. You have tried most of the things I would do to resolve that issue. There are some other things I can suggest to try before performing a factory reset. Start by performing a force stop and clear data for messaging and badger applications. Power the phone off and use the alternative boot. Clear the cache partition http://bit.ly/1eKkPD4 and reboot. Then retest.

If the text notification is still there after clearing the cache partition, try the safe mode: http://vz.to/1mpMmnp . If the problem disappears while in safemode then it is likely a third party application causing the trouble. Selectively uninstall applications until the problem is resolved. If the text notification is still present in safemode then a factory reset would be the next logical step. Hope that helps!

BrianP_VZW

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jlitersk

None of this has worked for me, and mine is now up to 2 unread messages that cannot clear?

Verizon_Support

O wow! Just to clarify, you've opened all message threads, cleared cache from Messages, and completed a factory reset? Have you checked voicemail as well?

MarquiaF_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

blackhatal

I am having the same issue on the new droid maxx as well. The problem started over a month ago and I've tried all of the above solutions except a full reset to no avail.

However, a few days ago the notification started showing two unread messages instead of one. I cleared the cache partition through the boot options menu as described above and that cleared one of the two message but I'm still left with one unread message when all of them are read.

Just like everybody else here, I don't have any 3rd party messaging apps installed. I have a suspicion that the problem lies in group mms, specifically from iPhone users as both times this happened, I was an innocent bystander to group MMS conversions between iphones. I also think it may be a server side issue since the issue doesn't come up for a minute or so after I reboot the phone, even after all other functions of the phone are running.

00joe

This is to solve the issue of a DROID MINI that is experiencing a "ghost" text message icon indicator. Ie there is an indicator of 1 or more, despite the fact that there are no unread messages. Please confirm this works for other phones.

Step 1) Make sure you have an app that can act as a temporary message application. "Google Hangouts" worked for me.

Step 2) Settings > Apps(all) > Messaging > Disable **this will be a temporary disable, all messages will be retained**

Step 3) Reboot the phone. Hold down the power button until it turns off.

Step 4) Settings > Apps(all) > Disabled apps > Enable messaging app

Step 5) Your phone will have automatically chosen the next available messaging application (in my case google hangouts).

Step 6) Change your default messenger = Google hangouts > Settings > SMS > (at the top) hangout is your default, touch to change.

Worked for me.

good luck!

p.s. if this doesn't work try a hard re-boot in place of normal reboot by holding down the power and volume up button simultaneously for 20 seconds.

00joe

See below. I believe I have solved the issue. Quite a relief.

00joe

Try my answer below. Not sure if it will work on your phone type, but the concept is the same.

B33

A suggestion to pass along.. The Droid Maxx, Ultra, Mini are in the same family) what fixes the mini should more in likely do the same for Ultra and the Droid Maxx if there running the same OS.:smileyhappy: b33

blackhatal

Thanks for the suggestion but it didn't work. Tried it multiple times with both a soft and a hard reboot and the one message icon always comes back.

Verizon_Support

Hello blackhatal,

Sorry to hear this is still not working for you! l definitely want to explore more options to get you back up and running at 100%. Can you send me a Direct Message? I requested to follow you, and you'll need to accept that and follow me back. Once that's done, you can send me a Direct message.

Here's how to Direct Message: http://vz.to/1lKLT9T

And here's my profile: http://vz.to/1ly4msR

RuthW_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

keithru

I am having the same problem. I followed all the suggestions and none have worked. Mine also happened when I was typing a text and received one.

keithru

I agree with blackhatal there is some problem that needs to be fixed as too many are having the same problem...

Just a real (removed).

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Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

i_miss_my_iphone

i am a new droid owner and have had this issue happen twice in the two weeks that i've had the phone. i've tried all of the above and still have the ghost notification. the only thing that has worked for me is to delete ALL of the messaging threads. i know exactly what happened when the ghost appeared the second time. i received a text just as i locked my phone. i unlocked and read it, but the new text message notification was still present. i tried just deleting that thread, but it didn't work. now that all threads have been deleted no more ghost...until the next time. this is clearly a programming problem. No VZW i don't have any third party messaging apps installed.

LechtanRA

Hello,

I have the Droid Maxx that is experiencing the same issue. I have tried every step listed here. I have noticed when I clear the messaging data upon reboot it jumps to double digit megs. Has Verizon figured out a fix other than to wipe the phone with a factory reset? I really don't have the time to completely re-install all my stuff to get my phone back up and running.

sweetwine

I also had the same problem of my text notifications not disappearing. I tried to turn it off and back on. Also the soft turn off. Didn't work, it returned. Recently I was sending a group text. For some reason the texts didn't go through to all. I had half green and half red sent notices. I had to highlight the message by pressing on it. Went back to check the message icon and they started to disappear. They have not come back. Check with all red notices, group or single text in your sent box and highlight them. It worked for me.

Redort

I have the same problem of text notification showing a "1" when there are none. This started when I deleted a conversation that had one unread message in it. Have tried all the suggestions in this thread to no avail. It's most irritating.

BlueStrk

Verizon Wireless. Has any one of the "geniuses" in Punjab or Mumbai figured this out yet? It is annoying as hell.

abenjock

Found this thread and then found the answer. My droid ultra only does this when I turn off my mobile data. Once I turn it back on I see the new message and the notification goes away. Hope it helps someone!!

cernese

Droid Ultra

I had tried just disabling and clearing cache for badger, but that didn't work.

I tried your process in combination with first disabling "badger" and also messaging and it worked. I left badger disabled for the first cycle. Then I enabled badger and rebooted and it stayed cleared, so I don't know precisely if that helped.

I was unwilling to lose all my accounts (I have a lot of them) so never tried the factory data reset.

Ok, hold on! While I'm typing this, a "1" appeared while a message "Amazon Kindle has stopped" came up.

WTF?

I'm back to where I started. I don't know if it was enabling badger that did it or some other side-effect.

cernese

Tried again, disabled badger, messaging, and also Kindle (after uninstalling its update). Rebooted after only enabling messaging and setting it as the default, no "1" yet.

Waited a while, enabled badger. Waited a few minutes, rebooted again. Just like before, initially no "1", waiting. Aah, as I type this, the "1" shows up.

The bug is in badger folks-- or in the SMS data it is reading. I have not deleted all my TXT messages, I didn't want to lose those either.

cernese

I even tried your original process without disabling badger at all. it started ok, correctly reported 2 new messages after I enabled SMS, read them, and exit and it says 1. sigh

Verizon_Support

I appreciate you taking all those steps cernese. Now, we have one more to go, please complete these steps http://vz.to/1gSVlF5 and try it for a few hours. Keep me posted.

AdaS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport

kris1785

Thank you I downloaded gosms app and within minutes a group message between 2 iphone users came through. once I read it the notification went away!!!

lghtbrwnsgr

BINGO!!! I just got a Droid mini less than a month ago and today started having this same issue. After reading this response it dawned on me that I didn't notice it until after my data was turned off. Once I turned it back on, there was an actual message there that wasn't there before! Once I read the message, the notification disappeared and so far hasn't returned! This particular message was a response in a group text. I'm not sure if it's the group text or the person that responded, but somehow this is all tied to data is my guess.

gpadubbs

I tried this and its worked so far, went to my text messages, clicked on settings, and checked roaming auto-retrieve.

Verizon_Support

gpadubbs We're glad to see that you text messages are working. Please let us know if you have any concern that we can address.

Sheritah_vzw

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@VZWSupport

shelster911

I was having the same issue on my Maxx & this solution cleared it from the clearing cache partition step. Thanks so much!!

shelster911

Oops.. spoke too soon. After the 1st text came in, the 1 unread notice came back. Going to try the safe mode fix.

shelster911

Bummer, the phantom msg counter was there in safe mode as well. :-(

RocketmanJD

So after reading this thread there seems to be 2 solutions that have worked. 1) Inside the messaging app, click Options then Delete All Threads. This is what worked for me. 2) Turn off the data i.e. put in airplane mode for a minute then turn it back on.

The problem seems to be stemming from a "hung up" MMS text. So it isn't a ghost text but a text that just never made it through.

DMBabe43

I have had to figure out how to solve this problem twice in the last week. Sometimes the "hangouts" solution works. The other time the only way was to delete all message threads after disabling badger then shut down the phone and turn it back on.

Is Verzion/Motorola working on an actual FIX for this. It honestly consumes me and makes me crazy that the darn "1" won't go away!!!

BPQ_ZZZ

Go to settings, apps, all ....find the running app called Badger scroll down and clear cache...you should see the "1" notification disappear instantly ....also gives the option to toggle off txt notifications in this program

cutiger44

Don't know if this will help... I used the Hangouts app that comes on the phone, found the text message that was causing the problems and just deleted it through that, then reset the normal messaging app as default. Hope this helps!

nancya4316

I am currently having this issue as well.

no 3rd party messaging apps installed

I have tried everything but a full reset, like others I don't want to have to take the time to reinstall everything.

I had this issue about a month ago and cleared it with the cache partition clearing turn off phone hold down vol dwn and power, etc. but that is not working this time.

I know the notification happened when I was camping and someone sent me a mms message, that didn't come through.

I did eventually get the message but the indicator won't go away.

please tell me there is a true fix for this not just reset whole phone, because if this happens once a month I will not be a happy camper!

neuron

OK I've had the same problem as everyone above. what worked for me was to simply make my SMS messenger Google hangouts. Then I went to hangouts and the message was there. I deleted it and when I reset messenger as my SMS messenger the 1 was gone. Some how that single text didn't get pushed to messenger completely, but did show up in hangouts allowing me to destroy it and the 1 in the process. Hope this helps.

PatricNJ

I have a DROID MINI and have the same problem. If I delete all of my read message threads the "1" indicator goes away. Had to do this twice in the pat 2 months. After reading all the posts seems to me a software fix is needed. The fixes people are describing on here are just Band-Aids. Has Verizon resolved the issue yet? The issue has been around for months now. What is being done?

chucktzu22

Switch your default messaging app to Google hangouts and then look for an unread message. Once you click on the unread message it will clear that notification on your messaging app.

Mastorms

Same thing happened to me (Droid Mini). Tried all suggestions except reset. Then noticed updates had downloaded but not installed. Installed updates and "1" disappeared from message icon. Hope this helps

wahya4519

I was having the same issue at first.

I tried going to my applications and clearing the cache for the application Badger....

I cleared the cache for the messenger app itself. Nothing worked.

However this last fix worked instantly. I then realized that I had recently changed this function which caused my issue.

go to setting...developer options...uncheck "do not keep activites", this must be unchecked and also make sure the "limit background processes" is set to standard.

My indicator instantly cleared itself and hasn't had a problem since.

For the record, I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Heroglyphic

I turned back on mobile data and a photo that my brother sent me popped in and the problem went away... Then I turned mobile data back off...

ChrisBerg

I gather that even though the message icon indicates one new message.... that message doesn't exist? When I touch the message icon, there's a few old messages that I haven't bothered deleting.... but it worries me that I might have missed a message.... it doesn't exist, correct?

Verizon_Support

ChrisBerg,

Sorry to see you have been affected by the issue. If you have open you messaging app and a new message does not exist you should be good to go. I show the ghost new message issue was addressed with an update. Wipe the cache partition http://vz.to/1yCWmvr and update the software http://vz.to/1u8Dq3B . Once the update is installed reset the Messaging App: http://vz.to/1u8DNen and then touch to open the app one last time. This should resolve the problem.

BrianP_VZW

Follow Us on Twitter @VZWSupport

GilmoreGlenmoor

I have the same problem with my Razr M on the email. "1" appears and will not go away. I have to delete the email acct and reload it to make it go away. I have to do this once a week or so.

This is my second Razr M - the first one did it too. I will never buy another Motorola and the store I got it at was no help either (a verizon store).

Very disappointed.

Zekemo

I had the same issue. I was lucky to have a backup off my messaging and messages under settings/ backup and restore/ LG backup. I had made it for a hard reset. I just chose the file for messages to restore and it added all my messages back and reset the counter. Again I had to make this backup before I had the issue. Hopefully some of you Wi th the issue have done the same. Hope this all makes sense . If not post and I'll try to help.

Flomigrl

I have a Droid Turbo and have tried EVERYTHING to get the "3" supposed messages I have to go away!! Nothing is working. I tried to clear the cache partition but once the Android in distress showed up and I help volume up for 10&15 seconds and hot power while still holding volume up all I got was Android in distress with "no command" under it. No blue menu. Finally the phone just turned itself back on. Ghost messages still there. Tried all the other suggestions as well besides deleting all my texts because I'm not willing to lose them all. Is there ANYTHING I can do?? It's driving me nuts!

Verizon_Support

Flomigrl, let's work together so we can get rid of those ghost messages. That's great that you were able to go through all of those steps. Have you cleared the messaging app cache and data? Settings>Apps>All Tab>Message App>Clear data/cache. When did this start?

ZangY_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

mobiblu

After dealing with this for days the only solution that works is the one offered by an earlier poster. It takes less time than a reboot. Download the GO SMS app. Once it's installed the messages will appear immediately after you set the app as your default messenger. Open all of them and download the content in the messages (if it's been more than a few days the content will have expired but that clears the data). Then uninstall the app. When you return to your Android SMS app you'll see the messages you just opened at the top of your messages.

diehltenis

Your fix worked beautifully. Thanks.

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