Where to find notification settings in Snapchat

Snapchat's notification controls live in your phone's settings, not inside the app itself. This means you turn notifications off at the device level — the same place you'd silence notifications from any other app. On both iPhone and Android, the process takes about 30 seconds and gives you several options: you can silence all Snapchat notifications, allow only messages from close friends, or mute notifications for specific people.

The reason Snapchat uses your phone's settings instead of its own menu is that your device controls which apps can interrupt you. Snapchat can't override that — it can only ask permission. Once you've set it up, your phone enforces the rule, so you won't see a notification even if someone sends you a snap while the app is closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Snapchat notifications are controlled through your phone's settings app, not through Snapchat itself.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Snapchat and toggle off "Allow Notifications"; on Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Notifications and toggle off "Show Notifications".
  • You can silence all notifications or allow only specific types, like messages from your close friends list.
  • Turning off notifications does not delete your messages or snaps — they arrive normally, you just won't be alerted when they come in.

How to turn off all Snapchat notifications on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Notifications. You'll see a list of every app that sends you alerts. Find and tap Snapchat in that list.

At the top of the Snapchat notification screen, you'll see a toggle next to Allow Notifications. Tap it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, which means Snapchat can no longer send you any notifications — no sounds, no badges on the app icon, nothing. You can close Settings now. The change takes effect when ready.

If you want to keep some notifications but silence others, leave Allow Notifications on and scroll down. You'll see options like Sounds, Badges, and Lock Screen. You can turn off any of these individually. For example, you might keep badges (the red number on the Snapchat icon) but turn off sounds so you're not startled by alerts.

How to turn off all Snapchat notifications on Android

Open the Settings app. Tap Apps or Applications — the exact name varies by phone maker. Scroll down and tap Snapchat. You should see an option called Notifications; tap it.

You'll see a toggle next to Show Notifications. Tap it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray. Close Settings and you're done — Snapchat will no longer send you any alerts. Like iPhone, this takes effect right away.

If you want finer control, leave Show Notifications on and look for options below it. Depending on your phone, you might see toggles for Sound, Vibration, or Visual Indicator. You can turn off any combination of these. Some Android phones also let you set a Notification Importance level — set it to Low or Min if you want alerts to arrive silently without interrupting what you're doing.

Silencing notifications from specific people

If you want to keep Snapchat notifications on overall but silence them from one person, you'll use a different method. Open Snapchat and find the person's name in your chat list. Press and hold their name until a menu appears. Tap Mute Notifications. You'll see options like 8 hours, 24 hours, or Always. Choose how long you want them muted.

When you mute someone's notifications, you'll still see their messages in the app — they just won't trigger an alert on your phone. If you choose Always, the mute stays in place until you unmute them by pressing and holding their name again and tapping Unmute Notifications.

What happens to your messages when notifications are off

Turning off notifications does not affect your messages or snaps in any way. They arrive at your phone normally and stay in your chat list. The only difference is that you won't see a notification pop-up, hear a sound, or feel a vibration when they come in. The next time you open Snapchat, you'll see them waiting for you.

This is useful if you want to check Snapchat on your own schedule rather than being interrupted throughout the day. Your friends won't know that you've turned off notifications — Snapchat doesn't tell them. From their perspective, they sent a snap and it was delivered normally.

Turning notifications back on

To turn notifications back on, follow the same steps you used to turn them off. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Snapchat and toggle Allow Notifications back on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Notifications and toggle Show Notifications back on. The change takes effect when ready, and you'll start receiving alerts again.

If you muted notifications from a specific person and want to unmute them, open Snapchat, press and hold their name in your chat list, and tap Unmute Notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will people know I turned off notifications?

No. Snapchat doesn't tell anyone whether you have notifications on or off. Your friends won't see any indication that you've silenced their alerts. They'll only know if you tell them.

Can I turn off notifications for messages but keep them for snaps?

Not with Snapchat's built-in controls — the notification settings explore to all activity. However, you can mute individual people's notifications through the chat list, which silences both their messages and snaps. For more granular control, some Android phones let you set notification importance levels, which can reduce how intrusive alerts feel without turning them off completely.

What if I turn off notifications and then forget to check Snapchat?

Your messages and snaps will still be there when you open the app. They don't disappear or expire faster because notifications are off. You'll just need to remember to check manually instead of being reminded by an alert.

Do I need to turn off notifications in the Snapchat app itself?

No. Snapchat doesn't have a separate notification toggle inside the app. All notification controls are in your phone's settings. If you've turned off notifications in your phone's settings, Snapchat cannot override that decision.