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How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android

May 11, 2015 08:39 PM
May 13, 2015 06:07 PM
Google search interface on a smartphone screen.

As it stands, Android's notification system is one of its biggest strengths—but that doesn't mean it couldn't use a few tweaks here and there. For one thing, when you receive multiple notifications from the same app, there is no indication as to exactly how many notifications you've received.

A new Xposed module from developer Woalk is looking to remedy this issue. By adding a small badge to the status bar icon that displays the exact number of notifications you've received from an app, you'll always be able to stay on top of things.

Requirements

Install 'Notification Count (Continued)'

To begin, head to the Download section of your Xposed Installer app and search for Notification Count (continued), then tap the top result.

Notification count interface on a mobile device.
How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android
Notification count interface on a mobile device.
How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android

From here, swipe over to the Versions tab, then hit the "Download" button next to the most recent entry.

How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android
How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android
How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android
How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android

Within a few seconds, Android's installer interface should come right up, so tap "Install" on this screen.

Notification count prompt for app installation confirmation.
Notification count for newly installed app on mobile device.
Notification count prompt for app installation confirmation.
Notification count for newly installed app on mobile device.

When that's finished, you'll get a notification from Xposed telling you that the module hasn't been activated yet and that a reboot is needed. Just tap the "Activate and reboot" button on this notification, and Xposed will take care of the rest for you.

Notification error screen indicating a module is not activated.
Notification alert about a mobile service issue.
Notification error screen indicating a module is not activated.
Notification alert about a mobile service issue.

Add Apps to Your Whitelist

When you get back up, go ahead and open the "Notification Count" app that you'll now find in your app drawer. From here, if you're experiencing any issues with the notification count badges for a particular app, tap the "Whitelist" entry.

Notification Count settings on a mobile app interface.
List of applications on an Android device's whitelist settings.
Notification Count settings on a mobile app interface.
List of applications on an Android device's whitelist settings.

Use the next menu to select any apps that aren't showing notification count badges, then your issues should be resolved.

Theme the Notification Count Badges

From Notification Count's main menu again, tap the "Number Appearance" entry to theme your notification count badges. From here, select the option that looks best to you.

How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android
Notification settings menu with options for appearance.
How to Add Notification Count Badges to the Status Bar on Android
Notification settings menu with options for appearance.

At this point, you're all set up and ready to go. Whenever you receive multiple notifications from an app, the notification icon in your status bar will have the count displayed with a small badge.

Status icons on a smartphone screen displaying connectivity and battery information.

Did you have to whitelist any apps, or did they all work out of the box? Let us know in the comment section below, or drop us a line on Android Hacks' Facebook or Twitter, or Gadget Hacks' Facebook, Google+, or Twitter.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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