Where to find push notifications in your device settings
Push notifications are turned on in your device settings, not in individual apps. On most phones and computers, you control them in one central place — usually called "Notifications" or "Apps & Notifications" — rather than hunting through each program separately. The exact path depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.
The fastest way to find the right menu is to open your device's main settings app, then search for the word "notification" in the search bar at the top. This search will take you directly to the notification control panel instead of making you navigate through nested menus. Once you are there, you will see a list of every app installed on your device and whether notifications from that app are currently on or off.
Turning on notifications for iPhone
On an iPhone, open the Settings app and tap "Notifications." You will see a list of all your apps. Tap the app you want to receive notifications from, then toggle the switch next to "Allow Notifications" to the on position (it will turn green). Below that toggle, you can choose whether notifications appear as banners at the top of your screen, as badges on the app icon, or as sounds.
If you want notifications but do not want them to interrupt you, turn on "Quiet Notifications" instead of the main toggle. This sends notifications to your notification center without making a sound or lighting up your screen. You can also set a schedule — for example, allowing notifications only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. — by scrolling down and tapping "Scheduled Summary."
Turning on notifications for Android phones
On Android, open Settings and search for "notifications" or tap "Apps & Notifications." Find the app you want notifications from and tap it. Then tap "Notifications" and toggle the switch to on. The exact wording and location varies slightly between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android phones, but the process is the same: find the app, find the notification toggle, and turn it on.
Android also lets you control notification channels — some apps have separate toggles for different types of messages. For example, Gmail might have one channel for all mail and another just for starred messages. If an app's main notification toggle is on but you are not seeing notifications, scroll down in that app's notification settings to check whether specific channels are turned off.
Turning on notifications for Windows computers
On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings and go to "System" then "Notifications." You will see a master toggle for all notifications at the top. Below that are toggles for different types of notifications — like notifications from apps, from your calendar, or from Windows itself. Turn on whichever categories you want.
To control notifications from a specific app, scroll down to "Advanced settings" and then "Get notifications from these senders." You will see a list of every app that can send notifications. Click on an app and toggle its notifications on or off. You can also set quiet hours — Windows calls this "Focus information" — so notifications do not disturb you during work or sleep.
Turning on notifications for Mac computers
On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Click "Notifications" in the sidebar. You will see a list of every app on your Mac. Click the app you want notifications from, then make sure "Allow notifications" is checked. Below that, you can choose whether notifications appear as banners, alerts, or badges.
Mac also has a "Focus" feature (called "Do Not Disturb" on older versions) that lets you silence notifications during specific times or activities. Click "Focus" in System Settings, then create a new focus mode for work, sleep, or exercise. You can set it to allow notifications only from certain people or apps while blocking everything else.
What to do if notifications are on but not appearing
If you have turned on notifications in settings but are still not seeing them, check whether your device is in a silent or focus mode. On iPhone, look at the top left corner — if you see a crescent moon icon, Do Not Disturb is on. On Android, swipe down from the top twice to open the full quick settings panel and look for "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus Mode." On Windows and Mac, check whether Focus information or Focus mode is active.
Also check whether the app itself has notification permissions. Some apps ask for permission the first time they try to send a notification — if you tapped "Don't Allow," you will need to go back into that app's settings and grant permission manually. On iPhone, this is under Settings > Privacy > Notifications. On Android, it is under Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions > Notifications.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are controlled from your device's main settings, not from inside individual apps — search for "notifications" in your device settings to find the control panel.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications, find your app, and toggle "Allow Notifications" on; on Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications, find your app, and toggle notifications on.
- On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications and toggle on the categories you want; on Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications and check "Allow notifications" for each app.
- If notifications are on in settings but not appearing, check whether your device is in Do Not Disturb, Focus Mode, or Focus information — these silence notifications even when they are turned on.
- Some apps ask for notification permission separately from the device settings, so if an app's notifications are still not working, check that app's own permission settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on notifications for one app but not others?
Yes. Every device lets you control notifications app by app. Go to your notification settings, find the specific app in the list, and toggle its notifications on while leaving others off. You do not have to turn on notifications for everything at once.
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 disappears automatically. An alert stays on your screen until you dismiss it. Banners are less disruptive; alerts make sure you see the message. Most devices let you choose which style each app uses.
Will turning on notifications drain my battery?
Notifications themselves use very little battery. The app sending the notification uses more power than the notification itself. If battery life is a concern, turning off notifications from apps you do not really need will help slightly, but the bigger battery drain usually comes from the app running in the background.
Can I turn on notifications for some times of day but not others?
Yes. iPhone has "Scheduled Summary," Android has "Quiet Hours," Windows has "Focus information," and Mac has "Focus." All of these let you set times when notifications are silent or blocked. You can also allow notifications from certain people or apps while blocking others during those hours.