Where to find and turn off notifications on your device
Notifications live in different places depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, or computer. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and you will see a list of every app that can send you alerts. On Android, the path is Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications. On Windows, it is Settings > System > Notifications. On a Mac, it is System Settings > Notifications. Each app appears as a separate line item, and you can turn notifications off entirely for that app, or adjust what type of alerts it sends.
The fastest way to silence notifications temporarily is to use your device's built-in focus or do-not-disturb mode. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner and tap Focus (or Do Not Disturb on older models). On Android, swipe down twice and look for Do Not Disturb. On Windows, select the notification icon in the system tray and toggle Focus information. On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right and select Focus. These modes let you choose which contacts or apps can still reach you — useful if you want to block most alerts but stay reachable for emergencies.
Key Takeaways
- Every app that sends notifications appears in your device's notification settings, where you can turn it off completely or choose which types of alerts it sends.
- Do Not Disturb or Focus mode silences most notifications temporarily while letting you pick which people or apps can still reach you.
- Turning off notifications for an app does not delete the app or stop it from working — it only stops the alerts.
- Some apps hide notification settings inside their own menus rather than in your device settings, so check both places if an app keeps alerting you.
Turning off notifications for a single app
If one app in particular is sending too many alerts, you do not have to turn off notifications for your entire device. On iPhone, open Settings > Notifications, find the app name, and tap it. You will see options like "Allow Notifications" (toggle this off to silence it completely) or "Sounds" and "Badges" (toggle these individually if you want some alerts but not others). On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications, find the app, and tap it. Look for a toggle labeled "Show Notifications" or similar.
Some apps also have their own notification controls buried inside the app itself. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences (usually a gear icon), and search for Notifications or Alerts. This is where apps like email clients, messaging apps, or social media platforms often let you choose which types of messages trigger alerts — for example, you might want notifications for direct messages but not for likes or comments. Checking both your device settings and the app's own menu gives you the most control.
The difference between turning off notifications and uninstalling an app
Turning off notifications does not change how the app works or what data it collects. The app still runs, still syncs your information, and still sends data to its company — you straightforward will not see the pop-ups, badges, or sounds. If you want to stop an app from running and collecting data altogether, you need to uninstall it or, on some phones, disable it. Disabling an app (available on Android for many pre-installed apps) stops it from running but keeps it on your device; uninstalling removes it entirely.
This distinction matters if your concern is privacy rather than just interruption. Turning off notifications is the right move if an app is useful but too noisy. Uninstalling or disabling is the right move if you do not trust the app or do not want it collecting data in the background. You can always reinstall an app later if you change your mind.
Stopping notifications from apps you do not recognize
If you see an app in your notification settings that you do not remember installing, or if notifications are coming from something with a vague name like "System" or "Service," start by checking whether the app is actually on your device. Go to your app list (on iPhone, swipe to the rightmost home screen; on Android, tap the app drawer icon) and search for the name. If it is not there, the notification may be coming from a system service or a web browser, not a standalone app.
Web browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox can send notifications even if you do not remember turning them on. Websites you visit can ask permission to send alerts, and you may have said yes without realizing what you were agreeing to. To stop these, open your browser settings, look for Notifications or Permissions, and you will see a list of websites that have permission to alert you. Delete the ones you do not want. If you see an unfamiliar app that is actually installed on your device and you do not use it, you can uninstall it from your app list or from Settings > Apps.
Using notification schedules and quiet hours
If you want notifications during work hours but silence during evenings or weekends, most devices let you set schedules. On iPhone, go to Settings > Focus and create a custom focus (for example, "Evening" or "Work"). Set the schedule, choose which apps and contacts can notify you, and turn it on. The focus will set up automatically at the times you set. On Android, open Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Advanced > Do Not Disturb and set a schedule there.
You can also set different notification behaviors for different times without fully silencing your phone. For example, you might allow notifications to come through but turn off sounds and vibrations after 9 p.m. On iPhone, this is under Settings > Notifications > [App Name] > Sounds. On Android, it is Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > [App Name] > Sound. This way, you can still see alerts if you check your phone, but they will not wake you or interrupt you while you are sleeping.
Notification badges and banners versus sounds and vibrations
A notification has multiple parts: a badge (the red number on an app icon), a banner (a message that slides down or pops up), a sound, and a vibration. You can turn off some of these while keeping others. On iPhone, open Settings > Notifications > [App Name] and look for options like "Sounds," "Badges," and "Banner Style." You might turn off sounds and vibrations but keep badges so you know something is waiting without being interrupted. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > [App Name] and look for similar toggles.
This granular control is useful if you want to stay aware of important messages without constant interruption. For example, you might want your email app to show a badge and a silent banner, but not make a sound. Your messaging app might get a sound and vibration for direct messages, but only a badge for group chats. Experimenting with these settings lets you find the balance between staying informed and staying focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off notifications stop an app from working?
No. Turning off notifications only stops the alerts. The app will continue to run, sync data, and function normally. You will just not see pop-ups, sounds, or badges. If you want to stop the app from running entirely, you need to close it, disable it, or uninstall it.
Can I turn off notifications for just one contact or sender?
It depends on the app. Messaging and email apps often let you mute specific conversations or senders. Open the conversation, look for a menu (usually three dots), and search for "Mute" or "Notifications." You can usually choose how long to mute it — for an hour, a day, or indefinitely. Other apps do not offer this level of control.
What if I turn off notifications and then forget to turn them back on?
You can set a schedule so notifications turn back on automatically. On iPhone, use Focus with a schedule. On Android, use Do Not Disturb with a schedule. You can also set a reminder on your calendar to turn notifications back on at a specific time if you prefer manual control.
Why do some apps keep sending notifications even after I turned them off?
Check the app's own settings menu, not just your device settings. Some apps have their own notification controls that override your device settings. Open the app, find Settings or Preferences, and look for Notifications or Alerts. If you still see alerts, the app may have a bug — try closing and reopening it, or reinstalling it.
Can websites send notifications without an app?
Yes. Websites can ask your browser for permission to send notifications, and these appear even if you do not have an app installed. Open your browser settings, find Notifications or Permissions, and you will see a list of websites with permission. Delete the ones you do not want to hear from.