Where to find notification settings on your device
Notifications live in different places depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. The fastest way to find them is to search your device's settings for the word "notification" — every major operating system has a search box at the top of Settings that will take you straight there.
On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Notifications, and you'll see a list of every app installed on your phone. On Android, the path is Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications (though some Android phones label it differently — Samsung calls it Apps, then Notifications). On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications. On Mac, it's System Settings > Notifications.
Once you're in the notifications section, you'll see toggles next to each app. A toggle that's switched on means that app can send you notifications. A toggle that's off means it can't. You can also usually see what kind of notifications each app sends — whether they appear on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as badges on the app icon.
Key Takeaways
- Search for "notification" in your device's Settings to find the right menu faster than navigating by hand.
- Each app has its own toggle — turning it on lets that app send notifications, turning it off blocks them completely.
- Most apps let you choose notification types separately, so you can allow badges but block sounds, or allow alerts but not lock screen popups.
- Turning on notifications for an app doesn't mean you have to accept all of them — you can customize which types each app sends after you enable it.
Turning notifications on for a single app
Find the app in your notification settings and look for the main toggle next to its name. If the toggle is gray or off, tap it to turn it on. The toggle will change color (usually blue on iPhone, green on Android) to show that notifications are now active for that app.
After you turn on the main toggle, you'll usually see additional options appear below it. These let you choose what kind of notifications you want. You might see choices like "Allow Notifications," "Sounds," "Badges," "Lock Screen," and "Banner Style." You don't have to use all of them — you can turn on the main toggle but then turn off sounds if you only want to see a badge on the app icon.
Choosing which notification types to allow
Once notifications are turned on for an app, you can customize exactly how they reach you. Sounds means the app can play an audio alert when something happens. BadgesLock screenBanner or alert notifications pop up on top of whatever you're doing.
You don't have to accept all of these. For example, you might turn on badges for email so you know when new messages arrive, but turn off sounds so your phone doesn't chime every time. Or you might allow lock screen notifications for a messaging app but turn off banners so they don't interrupt you mid-task. The point is to match what the app can send you with what actually helps you, not what annoys you.
Some apps also let you choose a notification style — usually "Critical," "Prominent," or "Quiet." Critical notifications break through Do Not Disturb mode and always make a sound. Prominent ones appear as banners at the top of your screen. Quiet ones go straight to your notification center without interrupting you. Pick the style that fits how urgent the app's messages actually are.
Turning notifications on for all apps at once
If you've turned off notifications system-wide (meaning no app can send you any notifications at all), you'll need to turn that setting back on before individual apps can reach you. On iPhone, this is called "Allow Notifications" and it's at the top of the Notifications settings menu. On Android, it's usually "Show Notifications" in the main notification settings. On Windows and Mac, look for a toggle that says notifications are on or off.
Turning on the system-wide setting doesn't mean every app will suddenly start notifying you. It just means apps are allowed to send notifications if you've turned them on individually. You still control each app separately after that.
What happens after you enable notifications
Once you turn on notifications for an app, it can start sending them to you right away. The first notification might arrive within seconds, or it might take a few minutes depending on what the app does. For example, a messaging app might send a notification the moment someone texts you. A news app might send one only when a breaking story happens. A social media app might send one when someone likes your post.
If you realize after turning notifications on that you're getting too many, or that they're the wrong type, you can go back into settings and adjust them. You can turn off specific notification types without turning off the app entirely. You can also turn off the app's notifications completely and turn them back on later if you change your mind.
Notification permissions your app might ask for
Some apps ask for permission to send notifications the first time you open them. You'll see a popup that says something like "Allow [App Name] to send you notifications?" with options to allow or not allow. If you tap "Allow," notifications are turned on. If you tap "Don't Allow," they're turned off — but you can change your mind later by going into Settings and turning them on manually.
If you missed the popup or dismissed it, you can still turn notifications on in Settings. The app won't ask you again, but the setting is there waiting for you. Some apps also ask for permission to access your location, contacts, or camera — those are separate from notification permissions and work the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning on notifications drain my battery?
Notifications themselves use very little battery. The bigger drain comes from apps that check for new information constantly in the background. If an app is already running in the background, turning on notifications won't make much difference. If you're worried about battery, focus on which apps you let run in the background, not on notifications.
Can I turn on notifications for just one type of message from an app?
It depends on the app. Some apps let you customize notifications down to the message type — for example, you might allow notifications for direct messages but not for group chats. This setting is usually inside the app itself, not in your phone's Settings. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for notification options there.
What if an app keeps sending notifications even after I turned them off?
First, double-check that the toggle is actually off in your Settings — sometimes it's straightforward to miss. If it's definitely off and notifications are still coming, try restarting your phone. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the app. If the problem continues, the app may have a bug, and you might want to contact the app's support team or leave a review describing the issue.
Do I have to turn on notifications to use an app?
No. You can use almost any app without turning on notifications. The app will work normally — you just won't get alerts when something happens. You'll only see updates if you open the app and check manually. Some apps might remind you that notifications are off, but they won't stop you from using them.