A push notification is a short message that appears on your phone or computer without you asking for it
When an app or website wants to send you information right away, it uses push notifications to reach you even when you are not actively using that app. The message pops up on your screen, usually with a sound or vibration. You might see a notification from your email app saying you have a new message, or from a weather app warning about rain tomorrow. The app sends the message to your device through a service that keeps a connection open in the background.
Push notifications are different from other types of messages because they arrive on their own schedule, not yours. You do not have to open the app or check a website to receive them. The sender decides when to push the message to you, which is why they are called "push" — the information is pushed toward you rather than you pulling it by opening the app yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications arrive on your device without you opening an app, using a background connection that stays active even when the app is closed.
- Apps and websites request permission to send you notifications when you first install or visit them, and you can turn this permission on or off in your device settings.
- The company sending the notification can see that the message reached your device, but they cannot see whether you actually read it or what you do after receiving it.
- Turning off notifications for an app does not delete the app or affect how it works otherwise — it only stops those pop-up messages from appearing.
How push notifications actually reach your device
When you install an app or visit a website, it asks for permission to send you notifications. If you say yes, the app registers with a notification service — Apple uses Apple Push Notification service (APNs) for iPhones, Google uses Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for Android phones, and web browsers use their own systems. This registration creates a unique token, a long string of characters that identifies your specific device.
When the company wants to send you a notification, they do not contact your device directly. Instead, they send the message to Apple, Google, or the browser's notification service, along with your device's token. That service then delivers the message to your phone or computer. This system exists because your device is not always connected to the internet in the same way, and the notification service knows how to reach it reliably.
The notification sits on your device until you interact with it — you might tap it to open the app, swipe it away, or ignore it completely. Your device keeps a record of notifications you have received, usually showing the most recent ones in a notification center or history that you can review later.
What information companies collect when they send notifications
When a company sends you a push notification, they can see that the message was delivered to your device. They can also see whether you tapped on the notification or dismissed it. This information helps them understand which types of messages get attention and which ones people ignore.
However, they cannot see the content of your screen after you tap the notification, and they cannot track what you do inside the app unless you perform an action they have specifically set up to track — like making a purchase or filling out a form. They also cannot see notifications you received from other apps, and they cannot see your location, contacts, or other personal data just from sending a notification.
The notification service itself (Apple, Google, or your browser) sees that a message was sent and delivered, but the company sending the notification does not have a direct connection to your device. This is why the middleman service exists — it provides a layer between the sender and your device.
The difference between notifications and other ways apps contact you
Push notifications are different from text messages, emails, and in-app messages. A text message goes through your phone carrier and appears in your Messages app. An email arrives in your email app or inbox. An in-app message only shows up when you have the app open and active on your screen. A push notification can reach you even if the app is closed, and it comes through the app's own notification system rather than through email or text.
Some apps also use what is called a "badge" — a small red circle with a number on the app icon itself, like a "3" on your Mail app to show you have three unread messages. Badges are not notifications; they are just a visual indicator that something in the app needs your attention. You can usually turn off badges separately from notifications in your settings.
How to control which apps can send you notifications
When you first install an app or visit a website in your browser, it asks permission to send notifications. You can say yes, no, or ask me later. If you say no, the app cannot send you notifications. If you say yes and later change your mind, you can turn off notifications in your device settings without uninstalling the app.
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Notifications, and you will see a list of every app that has permission to send you notifications. Tap any app name to see options: you can turn notifications off entirely, choose whether they make a sound, whether they show on your lock screen, and other details. On an Android phone, the process is similar — go to Settings, then Apps or Applications, find the app you want to change, tap Notifications, and toggle the setting off.
For websites in your browser, the process varies slightly. Most browsers show a small icon in the address bar when a website asks for notification permission. You can click that icon to allow or block the request. If you have already said yes to a website and want to change it, you can usually find the setting in your browser's privacy or permissions menu.
Why apps ask for notification permission
Apps request notification permission because it is the only way they can send you messages when the app is not open. Without permission, they can only show you messages when you are actively using the app. Companies use notifications to remind you about updates, alert you to time-sensitive information like package deliveries or appointment reminders, or tell you about sales and new features.
Some notifications are genuinely useful — a banking app alerting you to unusual activity, a weather app warning about severe storms, or a calendar app reminding you of an appointment. Others are marketing messages designed to bring you back into the app so you see ads or make purchases. You are in control of which apps can send you notifications and how often, so you can keep the useful ones and block the rest.
The privacy trade-off with push notifications
Allowing an app to send notifications means the app company knows your device exists and can reach it. They can see when you engage with their messages and when you ignore them. If you are concerned about this, you can turn off notifications for apps you do not trust or use infrequently.
The notification service itself (Apple, Google, or your browser company) sees that messages are being sent and delivered, but they do not see the content of the messages or have access to your personal data just from the notification system. However, these companies do collect other information about you through their services, which is a separate privacy question from notifications alone.
If you turn off notifications for an app, the app still works normally — you just will not see pop-up messages. You can still open the app and use it whenever you want. Turning off notifications does not prevent the app from collecting data in other ways, and it does not delete the app from your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an app send me notifications if I never gave it permission?
No. Apps must ask for your permission before they can send notifications, and you have to say yes. If you said no when the app first asked, or if you turned off notifications in your settings, the app cannot send you notifications. Some apps will ask again later if you dismissed the permission request the first time.
Do push notifications use my data plan or WiFi?
Yes, notifications require an internet connection to reach your device. They use a small amount of data, usually just a few kilobytes per notification. If you are on a limited data plan, notifications will count against it, but the amount is typically negligible compared to browsing websites or streaming video.
What happens to notifications if my phone is turned off?
Notifications sent while your phone is off will not reach you. When you turn your phone back on and it reconnects to the internet, some apps may resend important notifications, but most will not. The notification service does not store messages waiting for your device to come back online.
Can I tell if someone is reading my notifications?
No. If you send someone a message through an app that uses push notifications, you can see that the notification was delivered to their device, but you cannot see whether they actually read it. You can only see if they tapped on the notification to open the app, if the app is set up to report that action back to you.
Why do some apps send so many notifications?
Apps send frequent notifications because they want to keep you engaged and using the app regularly. More notifications mean more chances for you to open the app and see ads or make purchases. You can reduce this by turning off notifications for apps that send too many, or by adjusting notification settings to allow only certain types of messages.