Where to find notification settings on your device
Notifications are turned on by default on most phones and computers, but they may be switched off for specific apps or contacts. The fastest way to check is to look in your device's main settings — not the app itself. On an iPhone, open Settings and tap Notifications. On Android, open Settings and look for Apps & Notifications or Notifications. On a Windows computer, go to Settings > System > Notifications. On a Mac, open System Settings > Notifications.
Each device organizes these settings slightly differently, but they all follow the same basic pattern: a master switch that controls notifications overall, then individual switches for each app. If you turn on notifications at the device level but an app still shows nothing, the problem is almost always that the app's own notification permission is turned off.
Key Takeaways
- Notifications are usually on by default, but you need to check both your device settings and the individual app to make sure both are enabled.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and look for the app you want to hear from, then toggle Allow Notifications on.
- On Android, open Settings > Apps & Notifications, find the app, tap Notifications, and turn on all notification types you want to receive.
- On Windows and Mac computers, the notification settings are in System Settings, and you may also need to check the app's own preferences menu.
- If notifications still do not appear after you turn them on, check whether your device is in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, which silences alerts even when notifications are enabled.
Turning on notifications for a specific app on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Notifications. Tap it. You will see a list of every app on your phone. Find the app you want notifications from — for example, Messages, Mail, or a calendar app — and tap its name.
On the next screen, look for the toggle next to "Allow Notifications" at the very top. If it is gray, tap it to turn it on. Once you do, more options appear below: you can choose whether notifications show on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as a banner at the top of the screen. You can also decide whether the app is allowed to make a sound or vibrate. Leave these as they are unless you have a specific reason to change them.
After you turn on Allow Notifications, go back and repeat this step for any other apps you want to hear from. The change takes effect when ready.
Turning on notifications for a specific app on Android
Open Settings and look for Apps & Notifications, Apps, or process Manager — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer. Tap it. You will see a list of installed apps. Find the app you want notifications from and tap its name.
Look for a Notifications option in the menu that appears. Tap it. You should see toggles for different notification types — usually "All" or "Show Notifications" at the top. If the toggle is off, tap it to turn it on. Some apps also let you control notifications by channel, meaning you can turn on notifications for messages but not for promotional content from the same app. Adjust these as you prefer.
If you do not see a Notifications option in the app's settings, go back to the main app list and look for a button or menu icon (usually three dots) next to the app name. Tap it and look for "Notifications" or "Notification Settings" in the menu that appears.
Turning on notifications on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click System on the left side, then Notifications. At the top, you will see a toggle for "Notifications." If it is off, click it to turn it on.
Below that, you will see a list of apps with their own notification toggles. Find the app you want to hear from and make sure its toggle is on. You can also scroll down to see options for how notifications appear — whether they show in the notification center, on the lock screen, or as a banner. Windows also lets you control notifications by priority: you can allow notifications from some apps but not others, or silence all notifications except those from specific people.
If an app does not appear in this list, it may not support notifications, or it may need to be installed from the Microsoft Store rather than downloaded from elsewhere.
Turning on notifications on Mac
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left and selecting System Settings. Click Notifications in the sidebar. You will see a list of apps on the left. Find the app you want notifications from and click it.
On the right side, you will see options for that app. Make sure "Allow notifications" is toggled on. Below that, you can choose whether notifications appear as banners (which disappear after a few seconds) or alerts (which stay until you dismiss them). You can also control whether the app is allowed to play a sound or badge the app icon with a number.
After you turn on notifications for an app, the change takes effect right away. If you do not see the app in the list, it may not support notifications, or you may need to open the app itself and look for notification settings in its preferences menu.
Check if Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is blocking notifications
Even if notifications are turned on, your device may be silencing them because Do Not Disturb (on iPhone and Mac) or Focus mode (on newer iPhones) is active. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and look for a moon icon or the word "Focus." If it is highlighted, tap it to turn it off. On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right, look for Focus, and click it to turn it off.
On Android, swipe down from the top twice to open the full Quick Settings panel and look for Do Not Disturb. If it is on, tap it to turn it off. On Windows, open Settings > System > Notifications and scroll down to "Do Not Disturb." If it is on, click the toggle to turn it off.
Do Not Disturb and Focus mode are useful when you need silence, but they override individual app settings. If you turn on notifications but still see nothing, check whether one of these modes is active first.
Allowing notifications through your browser or email
If you use web-based apps — like Gmail, Google Calendar, or a work messaging platform in your browser — notifications work differently. When you first visit the site, your browser may ask "Do you want to allow notifications from this site?" If you clicked "Block" by mistake, you need to change that permission in your browser settings, not in your device settings.
On Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications. You will see a list of sites that have asked for permission. Find the site you want notifications from, click it, and change the setting from "Block" to "Allow." On Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Notifications and do the same. On Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Notifications.
After you change the browser setting, refresh the website. You may see the permission request again — if so, click "Allow" this time. Notifications from that site should now appear on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I not getting notifications even though I turned them on?
Check three things in order: first, make sure Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is not active on your device. Second, go back to the app's notification settings and confirm the toggle is actually on — sometimes it looks on but is not. Third, restart the app by closing it completely and opening it again. If notifications still do not appear, restart your device.
Can I turn on notifications for just one person or contact?
Yes, but only for certain apps. On iPhone, open Settings > Notifications, find the app (like Messages or Mail), and look for an option like "VIP" or "Contacts." On Android, some apps let you customize notifications by contact in their own settings menu, not in the device settings. Check the app's preferences to see what options are available.
What is the difference between a banner and an alert notification?
A banner appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds and then disappears on its own. An alert stays on your screen until you dismiss it by tapping or clicking. Banners are less disruptive; alerts make sure you see the message. You can usually choose which style you prefer in your notification settings.
Do I have to turn on notifications for every app individually?
Yes. Each app has its own notification setting, so you need to go through them one by one. However, you only need to do this once — after you turn on notifications for an app, they stay on unless you turn them off again.
Can I turn on notifications for an app but silence the sound?
Yes. In your notification settings for that app, you can usually toggle the sound off while keeping visual notifications (like a banner or badge) on. This way you will see the notification but will not hear a sound.