Clock keeps requesting notification permissions

[Scott_C]

I have intentionally turned off all notifications for the clock on my S23 Ultra.  But, whenever I tap on the clock to use the timer or stopwatch, a pop up appears bugging me.  "Unable to open notifications.  Tap settings go to App Info> Permissions, then allow the following permissions and try again.  Notifications." Two buttons below for "Cancel" and "Settings."

This is annoying, it is MY phone, and at quite a price.  I chose to turn off notifications for the clock, and don't appreciate the phone bugging me about it every time I want to use the stopwatch or timer. Both of which work perfectly if I go through the extra step of just cancelling the pop up, or just tapping on the stopwatch, etc.

This phone does this with many settings.  It allows me to set what I want, then bugs me about it, demanding to be set to what ever the wizards (or executives) at samsung wanted.  In other cases, I can't set things that I could in almost any other Android phone (have had them for 12 years).

Is there any way to make MY phone MINE, or do I just take it back and never buy another samsung product again?

[Tourbillon De La Vie]

That is the way... Google made the Android enforce permission. And how will poor timer let you know it completed the task, etc etc. In any case I think experimenting further will let you have a cake and eat it 

[Scott_C]

For the past 12 years I have had HTC Android phones, with HTC's Sense UI, loved it.  None of these problems.  That is part of my point, this phone does not have to be this way, because, I am sorry Tourbillion, Android is NOT inherently this way, permissions can be set to the user's liking on other brands of phone.  This appears to be samsung's doing, and I do not appreciate their intrusion on my ability to set up my phone up my way.

Also, many of these problems arise, and are so insulting and frustrating because the Galaxy allows me to set the permissions and notifications a certain way, then keeps bugging me to change them.  P.S. I have never used a phone for a timer, alarm, etc.  I hate alarm clocks too, and never have one near me, so why not let me shut off notifications?

My most recent phone, still working, is an HTC 10, over the seven years I have had it there have two or three frustrating things, but they worked out quickly.  The Galaxy S23 Ultra has driven me crazy over the less than 72 hours I have had it.  There are at least 12 major annoyances, none of which resolve in a user friendly manner, if they resolve at all.  This is unacceptable from a phone that cost over $1200.

I really do want to like the phone, but with what is apparently samsung's heavy handed approach to controlling a phone that is MINE, and I want to customize my way, I am beginning to hate the company.  It does not help that I also have a samsung clothes dryer that is the same way: keeps undoing what I set it to do, hides customizations, apparently because someone at samsung doesn't want me finding them, etc.  And that thing cost more than the phone, about $1400.

Ok, I will experiment, but only for about 8 or 9 more days, and only then if there is progress.  I have better things to do.  I am not a kid who can live for my phone, I am a grown man with a family.

In 10 days the return window closes, and if I am not happy, the phone goes back, and I buy something else, made by somebody else.

[Barrie10]

I'm genuinely curious, what is the problem with the clock asking for notification permission?

[Glenntech]

The newer Android software from Google has various types of security features now that is out of Samsung's control.
Apps in general need to conform to newer security permissions etc
Giving you greater knowledge of what apps and services use.

Unfortunately pop up reminders are something that cannot be disabled in a lot of cases.
I don't know what the relevance of the notifications are to the running of that app
But the app developers obviously deem it nessesary to inform you of the required permissions for it's running or use.
I'm not sure in this case you can do anything about it.

Older phones like the HTC will be on a much older Android software, so the security aspects are not the same.
I had the HTC U11+ at the time, was my last HTC phone. Really good phone that was, with the features it had. Like squeezing the sides to open apps etc

[Scott_C]

I like that the newer versions of Android have better security, although I don't use my phone for stuff like Google Wallet, etc.

The frustration with the pop ups wanting notifications turned back on is that the clock app let me turn them off in the Settings>Apps menu.  Then, it nagged me to turn them back on when I used the app.  If they wanted the notifications to be on, they shouldn't have given me the ability to turn them off in the first place.

I generally like my phone to operate smoothly, no nag screens or pop ups, etc.

BUT: I found a very good work around.  I installed another clock, called "Digital Clock Widget."  It solved two problems: First it is bigger on screen, like the HTC clock, not the smaller Samsung digital clock.  Second, it allows me to set any app to open if I tap on it.  I tried setting it to open the Samsung clock, and amazingly, it did it perfectly, right to the screen with the timer, stopwatch, etc. And NO pop ups.  Looks like problem solved.

Also, all the other nags/notifications/pop ups that plagued me the first day or day and half of owning this phone have stopped.  Probably related to initial set-up and updates to get current with the OS.  Probably the HTC 10 did the same thing for a day or so, but that was seven years ago, and I don't even remember buying it.

And, props to Samsung, before posting here, they were giving their all, in a chat, to try and fix the clock problem.  Frankly, Samsung has been great to deal with.  They are very responsive, and they seem to be willing to work hard to make us happy.

Thank you all for your responses, and support.  I hope that I can return the favor, or pass it on to someone who needs it in the future.  Yes, the implication is that I have calmed down, and am beginning to really enjoy this phone.