Where notifications live and why you might not see them
Notifications are turned off by default on most devices and apps because manufacturers assume you'll turn on only what you actually want to hear. That means if you're not seeing alerts from an app, it's usually because notifications are blocked at one of three levels: your device's main settings, the app itself, or sometimes both. You have to open the door at each level for a notification to reach you.
The steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. But the principle is the same: find the app in your settings, look for a notifications toggle or permission, and switch it on. Then check the app's own settings to make sure it's not blocking notifications there too.
Key Takeaways
- Notifications require permission at two levels: your device's settings and the app itself, so you may need to turn them on in both places.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and find the app name, then tap it and toggle on "Allow Notifications".
- On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Notifications, find the app, and toggle on "Allow notifications".
- On Windows and Mac, check both your system notification settings and the app's own preferences menu.
- If an app asks for permission to send notifications when you first open it, tapping "Allow" is usually faster than hunting through settings later.
Turning on notifications on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Notifications. Tap it. You'll see a list of every app on your phone that can send notifications. Find the app you want to hear from and tap its name.
On the next screen, toggle on "Allow Notifications" at the top. Once that's on, you can choose how you want to be alerted: a sound, a badge (the red number on the app icon), or a banner that appears on your screen. You can also choose whether notifications appear on your lock screen, in your notification center, or both. If you want the app to notify you but don't want it to interrupt what you're doing, turn off "Allow Notifications" but leave "Badge App Icon" on — you'll see the red number but won't hear a sound.
If an app asks for permission to send notifications the first time you open it, tap "Allow" right then. It's faster than going back to Settings later. If you tapped "Don't Allow" by mistake, you can always come back to Settings and turn it on.
Turning on notifications on Android
Open Settings and look for Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by phone maker). Tap it, then look for Notifications or Notification Settings. Find the app you want to hear from and tap it.
Look for a toggle that says "Allow notifications" or "Show notifications" and turn it on. Some Android phones also let you choose the notification style — sound, vibration, or silent — right in that same menu. If you don't see those options, go back and open the app itself, then look in its settings or preferences for a Notifications section.
Like iPhone, Android will sometimes ask for permission the first time you open an app. Tap "Allow" to turn on notifications when ready. If you missed that prompt, the Settings route will get you there, but it takes more steps.
Turning on notifications on Windows
Open Settings and go to System > Notifications. At the top, make sure "Notifications" is toggled on. Then scroll down to find the app you want to hear from. If it's not listed, the app may not support notifications, or you may need to open the app itself and turn on notifications in its preferences menu.
Once you find the app in the list, toggle it on. You can also choose whether you want a sound, whether the notification appears on your lock screen, and whether it shows a banner or just a quiet alert. Some apps let you control these settings from their own preferences menu instead of Windows Settings, so if you don't see the options you want, open the app and look there.
Turning on notifications on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and go to System Settings. Click Notifications in the sidebar. You'll see a list of apps on the left. Find the app you want to hear from and click it.
On the right side, make sure "Allow notifications" is toggled on. You can then choose whether you want an alert style (banner or alert box), whether the app can play a sound, and whether notifications appear in your notification center. If the app isn't in the list, it may not support notifications, or you may need to open the app and turn on notifications in its own settings.
What to do if you still don't see notifications
If you've turned on notifications in both your device settings and the app itself and you're still not seeing them, check whether your device is in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and look for a moon icon or "Focus" label. On Android, swipe down twice from the top and look for "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus Mode". On Windows and Mac, check your notification settings to see if Do Not Disturb is on.
Also check whether the app itself is set to send notifications only at certain times. Open the app and look in its settings or preferences for a Notifications section. Some apps let you turn off notifications during work hours or after a certain time at night, which can make it seem like notifications are broken when they're actually just scheduled.
If notifications are on everywhere and Do Not Disturb is off, restart the app. Close it completely and open it again. If that doesn't work, restart your device. Most notification problems go away after a restart.
Why some apps ask for permission and others don't
Newer apps, especially on iPhone and Android, ask for permission to send notifications the first time you open them. This is a privacy protection — it stops apps from sending you alerts without your knowledge. Older apps may not ask; they just assume you'll go to Settings if you want notifications.
If you see a permission request and you're not sure whether you want notifications from that app, you can always tap "Don't Allow" and change your mind later in Settings. There's no penalty for saying no at first and turning it on later. The permission request is just a faster route than hunting through Settings yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on notifications for just one type of alert from an app?
Yes. On most devices, once you turn on notifications for an app, you can choose whether you want a sound, a badge, a banner, or any combination. You can also set quiet hours so the app notifies you but doesn't make noise after a certain time. Open the app's notification settings on your device to see all the options.
What if an app doesn't appear in my notification settings?
The app may not support notifications, or it may not have been opened yet. Open the app once and check whether it asks for permission to send notifications. If it does, tap "Allow". If it doesn't ask and still doesn't appear in your settings, the app probably doesn't have notifications built in.
Do I need to turn on notifications in both the app and my device settings?
Usually yes. Your device settings control whether the app is allowed to send notifications at all. The app's own settings control what kind of notifications it sends and when. Both need to be on for you to see alerts. If you turn on notifications in Settings but the app is still silent, open the app and check its preferences menu.
Will turning on notifications drain my battery?
Notifications themselves use very little power. What uses power is an app constantly checking for new information in the background. If you're worried about battery, turn on notifications for apps you actually care about and leave the rest off. You can always turn them back on later.
Can I turn on notifications for some contacts but not others?
That depends on the app. Text messages and calls on iPhone let you customize notifications per contact. Most other apps send the same type of notification to everyone. Check the app's settings to see whether it offers per-contact or per-conversation controls.