Where to find notification settings on each device
The path to turn off notifications differs by device, but the principle is the same: you're looking for a settings menu that controls what can interrupt you. On most phones and computers, this is a single place where you can silence everything at once, or drill down to control individual apps.
On an iPhone, open Settings, then tap Notifications. You'll see a list of every app that has permission to notify you. On Android, the path is Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications (the exact wording varies by manufacturer, but "Notifications" is always the section you need). On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications. On a Mac, open System Settings > Notifications.
Once you're in the notifications menu, you have two choices: turn off all notifications at once using a master switch, or control them app by app. Most people find they want to do both — silence everything during work or sleep, but keep notifications from a few specific apps like messages or calendar reminders.
Key Takeaways
- Every device has a single notifications settings page where you can turn off all alerts at once or control individual apps.
- On iPhone it's Settings > Notifications; on Android it's Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications; on Windows it's Settings > System > Notifications; on Mac it's System Settings > Notifications.
- You can silence your entire device during specific hours using Do Not Disturb (iPhone/Mac) or Focus modes (iPhone) or Quiet Hours (Android/Windows).
- Turning off notifications for an app does not delete the app or prevent it from working — it only stops the alerts.
Turning off notifications for individual apps
Once you're in your device's notifications settings, you'll see a list of apps. Tap or click on any app name to see what kinds of notifications it sends — badges (the red number on the app icon), sounds, banners that pop up on your screen, or notifications in your lock screen.
You can turn off the entire app's notifications by toggling the main switch off, or you can be more selective. For example, you might want your email app to show badges and lock screen notifications but not make a sound. Your calendar might send you a reminder 15 minutes before a meeting but nothing else. Your social media app might be turned off entirely.
The granular controls vary by app and device. On iPhone, you can choose whether notifications appear as banners, alerts, or only in the notification center. On Android, you can often choose the notification importance level — from silent to urgent. Spend a few minutes here and you'll find the right balance for each app you actually use.
Using Do Not Disturb and Focus modes to silence everything temporarily
If you want to turn off notifications for a set period — during work, during sleep, during a meeting — use your device's built-in quiet mode rather than changing individual app settings. On iPhone and Mac, this is called Do Not Disturb. On newer iPhones, it's called Focus modes, which let you create different profiles for different situations.
On Android, the feature is called Quiet Hours or Do Not Disturb depending on your phone's manufacturer. On Windows, it's called Focus information. You can set these to turn on automatically at a specific time each day, or turn them on manually when you need them.
The advantage of these modes is that you can still allow notifications from specific people or apps even when quiet mode is on. For example, your phone can silence everything except messages from your family, or everything except your alarm. You set these exceptions once, and then quiet mode respects them every time you turn it on.
Stopping notifications from your web browser
Websites can also send notifications — the pop-ups that appear even when you're not on that website. These are separate from your device's notification settings and require a different approach.
In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, go to Settings (or Preferences on Mac), then find Privacy or Notifications. You'll see a list of websites that have permission to send notifications. You can remove any site from this list, or block all website notifications entirely. If a website asks permission to send notifications when you visit it, you can click "Block" instead of "Allow".
Website notifications are often the most aggressive — they're designed to pull you back to the site. Blocking them entirely is a reasonable choice for most people, and you won't miss anything important because the website will still work normally.
Turning off notifications on smartwatches and other devices
If you wear a smartwatch, it probably mirrors notifications from your phone. You can turn these off in two places: in your phone's notification settings (which stops the notification from being sent to the watch), or in the watch's own settings (which stops the watch from showing it even though your phone received it).
Most smartwatches have a notifications or alerts section in their settings app. You can usually silence the watch entirely, or choose which apps are allowed to notify you on your wrist. Some watches let you silence notifications during specific hours — for example, no watch notifications after 9 p.m. — while still allowing your phone to receive them.
Tablets, laptops, and other devices you own follow the same principle: each device has its own notification settings, and you can control them independently. If you own multiple devices, you may want to turn off notifications on some of them entirely and keep them on only on your phone, so you're not getting the same alert five times.
What happens when you turn off notifications
Turning off notifications does not affect the app itself. Email will still arrive, messages will still be delivered, and calendar events will still happen. You straightforward won't be alerted about them until you open the app and check. Some apps show a badge — a red circle with a number — on their icon to show you have unread items, even if notifications are off.
If you turn off notifications for an app and later change your mind, you can turn them back on the same way. Your device will remember your choice and explore it the next time the app tries to send an alert. There's no penalty for changing your settings frequently as you figure out what works for you.
Dealing with apps that keep asking for notification permission
Some apps ask for notification permission every time you open them, or they ask again after you've already said no. This is intentional — the app is trying to wear you down into saying yes. You can usually find a setting within the app itself to stop these requests.
Look for a Settings or Preferences section inside the app. Search for "notifications" or "alerts" and you should find a toggle or checkbox that says something like "Ask for notification permission" or "Show notification prompts". Turn that off, and the app will stop pestering you. If the app doesn't have this setting, you can also go to your device's app permissions and deny notification permission permanently — the app will stop asking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I miss important notifications if I turn them all off?
You won't miss anything permanent — messages, emails, and calendar events stay in the app. You'll just see them when you open the app instead of being interrupted. If you need to catch urgent messages, keep notifications on for just those apps or people, or use quiet mode with exceptions for specific contacts.
Can I turn off notifications for just one contact or person?
Yes, on most phones. In your messaging or phone app, find the contact, tap their name, and look for a mute or notification settings option. You can usually silence notifications from that person while keeping notifications from everyone else. The message will still arrive — you just won't be alerted.
What's the difference between turning off notifications and turning off the app?
Turning off notifications stops the alerts but the app keeps running and working normally. Turning off or uninstalling the app removes it entirely. If you just want fewer interruptions, turn off notifications. If you don't want the app at all, uninstall it.
Why does my phone still vibrate even though I turned off notifications?
Your phone's vibration is controlled separately from notifications. Go to your device's sound or vibration settings and turn off vibration, or set it to vibrate only for calls and messages. Some apps also have their own vibration settings that override your device settings.
Can I schedule notifications to turn off automatically at night?
Yes. Use Do Not Disturb (iPhone/Mac), Focus modes (iPhone), Quiet Hours (Android), or Focus information (Windows) and set them to turn on automatically at a specific time each night. You can allow exceptions for alarms, family members, or specific apps so you're not completely cut off.