Where to find notification settings on your device

Notifications live in different places depending on what device you use. On most phones and tablets, they're in the main Settings app — look for a section called Notifications, Alerts, or sometimes Sound & Vibration. On computers, notification settings are usually buried in system preferences rather than sitting in an obvious menu, which is why people often can't find them when they need to turn something back on.

The fastest way to locate them: search. On iPhone, open Settings and use the search bar at the top to type "notifications". On Android, do the same in Settings. On Windows, search your system for "notification settings". On Mac, go to System Settings and search for "notifications". This bypasses the need to remember which submenu holds what.

Key Takeaways

  • Notifications are turned on by default for most apps, but you may have disabled them earlier without realizing the setting would stick.
  • Each app has its own notification toggle, so you turn notifications on per-app rather than all at once for everything.
  • Some notifications require two separate toggles: one in your device settings and one inside the app itself.
  • If you turn notifications on but still don't see them, check whether your device is in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, which silences alerts even when they're enabled.

Turning notifications on for individual apps

Once you're in your device's notification settings, you'll see a list of apps. Find the one you want notifications from and tap or click it. You'll see a toggle or checkbox next to "Allow Notifications" or "Show Notifications" — make sure it's switched on. The toggle should turn blue (on iPhone and many Android phones) or show as enabled in some other way.

After you flip that switch, you may see additional options appear: choices about whether notifications should show on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as banners that pop up. These are preferences, not requirements. You can leave them at their defaults or adjust them based on how intrusive you want that particular app to be.

Some apps also have notification settings inside the app itself, separate from your device settings. If you turn notifications on in your device settings but still don't see them, open the app and look for a Settings or Preferences menu within it. Many messaging apps, email clients, and social media platforms have their own notification controls that override the device-level setting.

Checking Do Not Disturb and Focus modes

Even when notifications are turned on, your device may be silencing them. On iPhone, check whether Focus mode is active — look at the top right of your screen for a Focus icon. On Android, check for Do Not Disturb mode in your quick settings (swipe down from the top twice). On Windows, look for Focus information in your notification settings. On Mac, check the Control Center in the top right.

These modes override individual app settings and silence all notifications except those you've specifically allowed through. If you've turned notifications on but aren't seeing them, disable Focus or Do Not Disturb first, then test whether the notifications appear. You can always turn the mode back on afterward.

Notifications on your computer

Windows and Mac handle notifications differently than phones. On Windows, go to Settings, then System, then Notifications. You'll see a master toggle for notifications at the top — make sure it's on. Below that, you can turn notifications on or off for individual apps. Some Windows apps also have their own notification settings inside the app, just like on phones.

On Mac, go to System Settings, then Notifications. You'll see a list of apps on the left side. Click the app you want notifications from, then make sure "Allow notifications" is checked. You can also choose how notifications appear: as banners (which disappear after a few seconds), alerts (which stay until you dismiss them), or in the notification center only.

If you're using email or messaging apps on your computer, check inside the app itself as well. Outlook, Gmail, Slack, and similar programs often have their own notification toggles that work independently of your system settings.

Browser notifications and website alerts

Websites can also send notifications if you've given them permission. These are separate from app notifications and live in your browser settings. In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, go to Settings, then Privacy or Security, then look for Notifications or Site Permissions. You'll see a list of websites that have permission to send you alerts.

If you want to turn notifications back on for a specific website, find it in that list and change its permission from "Block" to "Allow". If the website isn't listed, visit the website itself and look for a notification prompt — most sites will ask permission the first time they want to send you an alert. You can say yes at that point, or you can go back to your browser settings and add the site manually.

What to do if notifications still don't appear

If you've turned notifications on in your device settings, checked that the app has its own notifications enabled, and verified that Do Not Disturb is off, but you still aren't seeing alerts, try these steps in order. First, restart the app completely — swipe it away from your recent apps or close it fully and reopen it. Second, restart your device. Third, uninstall and reinstall the app, which clears out any corrupted settings the app may have stored.

If notifications work for some apps but not others, the problem is usually with that specific app rather than your device. Check the app's support page or help section to see if there's a known issue. If notifications work for everything except one particular website in your browser, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then revisit the site and allow notifications again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my notifications stop working even though I didn't change anything?

A system update, a Focus mode that turned on automatically, or a battery saver mode can all silence notifications without you touching a setting. Check whether Focus or Do Not Disturb is active, and verify that your device's battery isn't in a low-power state. If neither of those is the issue, restart your device — this clears temporary glitches that can block notifications.

Can I turn notifications on for just one contact or one person?

It depends on the app. Messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram let you customize notifications per conversation — usually by opening the conversation, tapping the contact name or group name, and adjusting notification settings there. Email apps often let you create rules so certain senders always notify you. Social media apps rarely offer this level of control, so you're usually choosing notifications for the entire app or none at all.

What's the difference between a banner and an alert notification?

A banner appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds, then disappears on its own. An alert stays on your screen until you dismiss it by tapping a button. Banners are less intrusive; alerts demand your attention. Most devices let you choose which style each app uses in the notification settings.

If I turn notifications on, will my battery drain faster?

Notifications themselves use very little battery. The drain comes from apps constantly checking for new messages in the background, which they do whether or not notifications are on. Turning notifications on doesn't make that worse — it just makes you aware of what the app is already doing.

Can websites send me notifications even if I didn't give them permission?

No. Websites must ask your permission before sending notifications, and you have to actively say yes. If you see a notification prompt from a website and you're not sure, you can always click "Block" instead. You can change your mind later by going to your browser's notification settings.