Where to find notification settings on your device
Every device stores notification controls in the same general place, but the exact path depends on whether you use Android, iPhone, Windows, or Mac. The fastest way is to find the notification itself, swipe or right-click it, and look for a "turn off" or "manage" option right there — most devices let you silence a specific app without digging into settings at all.
If you want to control notifications before they arrive, go to your device's main settings. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Notifications, and you'll see a list of every app that sends them. On Android, open Settings, go to Apps or Applications, find the app you want to change, and tap Notifications. On Windows, open Settings, select System, then Notifications. On Mac, open System Settings, click Notifications, and select the app.
Once you're in the right place, you have several choices: turn notifications off entirely for that app, turn off only sounds and vibrations while keeping visual alerts, or set a schedule so notifications arrive only during certain hours.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to silence a notification is to swipe or right-click it and select the turn-off option that appears — you don't need to open settings.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and find the app; on Android, go to Settings > Apps > [app name] > Notifications; on Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications; on Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications.
- You can turn off notifications entirely, keep only visual alerts without sound, or set quiet hours so notifications arrive only at certain times of day.
- Some apps hide notification controls inside their own settings rather than your device settings — check the app itself if you can't find what you need.
Turning off notifications for a single app
The simplest approach is to silence one app at a time as it bothers you. On iPhone, swipe left on a notification when it arrives and tap the bell icon with a slash through it — that app will stop sending notifications to your lock screen. On Android, press and hold a notification and tap "Don't show notifications from [app name]." On Windows, right-click a notification and select "Turn off notifications for this app." On Mac, click the notification and select "Turn Off."
If you want more control than a complete off switch, go into that app's notification settings instead. Most apps let you turn off notifications for certain types of messages while keeping others. For example, you might keep notifications for direct messages in a chat app but turn off group chat notifications, or keep calendar reminders but turn off promotional alerts.
Silencing notifications without turning them off completely
Sometimes you want to know a notification arrived, but you don't want the sound or vibration interrupting you. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > [app name], scroll down, and toggle off "Sounds" and "Vibration." On Android, open Settings > Apps > [app name] > Notifications, and look for "Sound" or "Vibration" — tap it and select "None" or "Silent." On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications > [app name] and turn off "Sound."
This keeps the notification visible on your lock screen or notification center, so you'll see it when you check your device, but it won't interrupt you with noise or buzzing. This is useful for apps you do care about but don't need to respond to when ready.
Setting quiet hours so notifications pause at certain times
Most devices have a built-in "do not disturb" or "focus" mode that silences all notifications during hours you choose. On iPhone, go to Settings > Focus, tap "Do Not Disturb," and set the times you want it active — you can also create custom focus modes for work, sleep, or driving. On Android, go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb and set a schedule. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications > Focus information and choose when it turns on. On Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications > Focus and set your hours.
When do-not-disturb is on, notifications still arrive and are saved, but they won't light up your screen or make noise. You can usually set exceptions so that calls or messages from certain people still get through — this is helpful if you're sleeping but need to hear from family in an emergency.
Turning off notifications inside an app's own settings
Some apps don't respect your device's notification settings and instead have their own controls buried in their preferences. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences (usually a gear icon), and search for "notifications" or "alerts." Common apps like Gmail, Slack, Facebook, and Instagram all have their own notification pages separate from your device settings.
If you've turned off notifications in your device settings but an app still bothers you, check inside the app itself. You may find options there to turn off specific types of alerts — for instance, Gmail might let you turn off notifications for all mail except messages from your boss, or Instagram might let you silence notifications for likes but keep them for direct messages.
Removing notifications from your notification center or lock screen
Even after you turn off notifications, old ones may still sit in your notification center or lock screen. On iPhone, swipe left on a notification and tap the trash icon to delete it, or swipe up on a group of notifications to clear them all at once. On Android, swipe left or right on a notification to dismiss it. On Windows, click the X on a notification to close it. On Mac, click the X on a notification to dismiss it.
Clearing old notifications doesn't turn off future ones — it just removes what's already there. If you want to clear everything at once, most devices have a "clear all" button in the notification center itself.
Stopping notifications from apps you rarely use
If an app sends notifications but you barely open it, the simplest solution is to uninstall it. On any device, go to your app list, find the app, and select "Uninstall" or "Remove." If you want to keep the app but never see notifications from it, go to your device's notification settings and turn them off there — you don't have to delete anything.
Another option is to disable the app entirely without uninstalling it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [app name] and tap "Disable" — the app will stay on your device but won't run or send notifications. On iPhone, you can't truly disable an app, but you can delete it from your home screen and keep it in the App Library, which effectively hides it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off notifications prevent me from seeing important messages?
No. Notifications are just alerts — the messages themselves are still saved in the app. You'll see them when you open the app, you just won't get a pop-up or sound telling you they arrived. If you're worried about missing something urgent, use do-not-disturb mode instead of turning notifications off entirely, so you can set exceptions for specific people.
Can I turn off notifications for one person but keep them for others in the same app?
It depends on the app. Some apps like Messages, WhatsApp, and Gmail let you mute specific conversations or contacts — open the conversation, look for a mute or silence option, and set how long you want it muted. Other apps only let you turn notifications on or off for the entire app. Check the app's settings to see what's available.
Why does an app still send notifications even though I turned them off?
The app probably has its own notification settings that override your device settings. Open the app, find Settings or Preferences, search for "notifications," and turn them off there. Some apps also send notifications through email or text message instead of through your device — check those settings too if the app has them.
If I turn on do-not-disturb, will people know I'm not available?
No. Do-not-disturb is silent on your end only — people who message or call you won't see any indication that you've turned it on. Your messages will still be delivered normally, and you can still see and respond to them when you check your device. Some phones let you set an auto-reply, but that's a separate feature you have to turn on yourself.
Can I schedule notifications to arrive only at certain times of day?
Yes, but the method varies by app. Some apps have their own scheduling options in their settings — check the app first. If the app doesn't have scheduling, use your device's do-not-disturb or focus mode to silence all notifications during certain hours, then turn off do-not-disturb when you want to see them again. This silences everything at once rather than individual apps.