Where to find push notifications in your settings
Push notifications live in your device settings, not in individual apps. On most phones and computers, you turn them on or off in one central place, then decide which apps can use them. The exact path depends on what device you have.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications. You will see a list of every app installed on your phone. Tap any app name, then toggle Allow Notifications to the on position (it will turn green). On an Android phone, go to Settings > Apps (or process Manager) > tap the app you want > Notifications > toggle Show Notifications on.
On a Windows computer, go to Settings > System > Notifications. You will see a master toggle for all notifications at the top; turn it on. Below that, you can toggle individual apps on or off. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications, select the app from the list on the left, and check the box next to Allow Notifications.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are controlled from your device settings, not from inside apps, so you change them all in one place.
- You can turn notifications on for some apps and off for others, letting you receive alerts from what matters and silence the rest.
- On phones, notifications settings are usually under Settings > Notifications (iPhone) or Settings > Apps > Notifications (Android).
- On computers, notifications settings are under Settings > System > Notifications (Windows) or System Settings > Notifications (Mac).
- Some apps also have their own notification preferences inside the app itself, which override your device settings.
Turning on notifications for specific apps
Once you have enabled notifications at the device level, you can choose which apps send them to you. This is the most useful step because it lets you keep notifications from apps that matter (like your calendar or messaging app) while blocking noise from apps you do not need to hear from constantly.
On iPhone, after you toggle Allow Notifications on for an app, you will see more options appear below it. You can choose whether notifications appear as a banner at the top of your screen, as a badge on the app icon (a red circle with a number), or as a sound. You can also turn on Critical Alerts for apps like alarms or medical reminders that should break through Do Not Disturb mode. On Android, tap the app name and you will see similar choices: whether to show notifications, what sound they make, and whether they vibrate your phone.
The key difference is that your device settings control whether notifications can reach you at all, while app-level settings control how they appear. If you turn notifications off in your device settings for an app, that app cannot send you any notifications no matter what its own settings say.
Allowing notifications through Do Not Disturb and Focus modes
Your phone has a Do Not Disturb mode (iPhone) or Do Not Disturb mode (Android) that silences most notifications during times you choose. You can set exceptions so that certain people or apps still reach you even when the mode is on.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Focus (or Do Not Disturb on older models) and create a new focus or edit an existing one. Tap Allowed Notifications and choose which apps and contacts can send you alerts while the focus is active. This is useful if you want to silence work emails during evenings but still get calls from family. On Android, go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and tap Apps to choose which ones bypass the silence.
Windows and Mac have similar features. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications > Focus information to set times when notifications are muted, with exceptions for important apps. On Mac, use Focus in System Settings > Focus to create custom modes that allow only certain notifications.
Checking notification permissions when an app asks for them
When you first install an app, it may ask for permission to send you notifications. You can say yes or no at that moment, but you can always change your mind later in settings. Some apps will not ask upfront and will only send notifications if you have turned them on in your device settings.
If an app asks for notification permission and you are not sure whether you want them, it is safe to say no. You can turn them on later if you change your mind. The app will still work; it just will not be able to send you alerts. If you said no and later want to turn notifications on, go back to your device settings and find that app in the notifications list.
Why notifications might not be showing up
If you have turned notifications on but are not receiving them, check a few things. First, make sure notifications are enabled at the device level in your settings. Second, check that the specific app has notifications turned on. Third, verify that your Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is not blocking that app. Fourth, check whether the app itself has notification settings inside it that might be turned off.
On iPhone, also check Settings > Notifications > Notification Grouping to see if notifications are being stacked together instead of appearing individually. On Android, some apps let you choose a notification channel, which is like a subcategory within the app; make sure the channel you care about is turned on. If notifications still do not appear, try restarting your device or reinstalling the app.
Notifications on your computer versus your phone
If you use the same app on both your phone and your computer, you may receive duplicate notifications on both devices. You can turn notifications off on one device and keep them on the other, or turn them off everywhere and check the app manually when you have time.
For example, if you use Gmail on both your iPhone and your Windows computer, you might want notifications on your phone but not your computer, so you are not interrupted at your desk. Go to your computer settings and turn off notifications for Gmail, then go to your phone settings and turn them on. The app itself will still work on both devices; you just will not get alerts on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn notifications on for just one contact in an app?
Most messaging apps let you customize notifications per conversation. Open the conversation, tap the contact name or group name at the top, and look for notification settings. You can usually mute that conversation while keeping notifications on for other chats. This works differently in each app, so check the app's help section if you cannot find the option.
What is the difference between a banner and a badge notification?
A banner is a message that slides down from the top of your screen and disappears after a few seconds. A badge is a red circle with a number on the app icon that stays there until you open the app. You can choose which style you prefer in your notification settings for each app.
Will turning off notifications stop the app from working?
No. Turning off notifications just means the app will not send you alerts. The app itself will continue to work normally in the background. You can still open it manually and see new messages, emails, or updates whenever you want.
Can I schedule notifications to only come through at certain times?
Yes, using Do Not Disturb or Focus modes. You can set a schedule so that notifications are silenced during work hours or bedtime, with exceptions for apps or people you choose. Set this up in your device settings under Do Not Disturb or Focus, not in individual apps.
Why do some apps send notifications even though I turned them off?
Check whether the app has its own notification settings inside it. Some apps override your device settings if you have turned notifications on within the app itself. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and turn off notifications there as well.