Where to find push notifications in your settings

Push notifications are turned on or off in your device settings, not in individual apps. The exact path depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. Once you know where to look, the process takes less than a minute per app.

On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Notifications, then find the app you want to enable. Tap it and toggle "Allow Notifications" on. The switch will turn green. On an Android phone, open Settings, go to Apps or process Manager, find the app, tap Notifications, and toggle "Show notifications" on. On a Windows computer, open Settings, go to System, then Notifications & actions, and toggle notifications on for the app you want. On a Mac, open System Preferences, click Notifications, find the app in the list on the left, and check "Allow notifications from this app."

Key Takeaways

  • Push notifications live in your device settings, not in the app itself, so you must go to Settings to turn them on.
  • Each app has its own notification toggle, so you can allow notifications from some apps and block them from others.
  • After you turn notifications on in settings, the app itself may ask for permission the next time you open it — tap Allow when it does.
  • Turning on notifications does not mean you have to receive every type of message an app sends; most apps let you customize which categories show up.

What happens after you toggle notifications on

Once you turn on notifications in settings, the app may ask for permission the next time you launch it. This is a second confirmation step. Tap Allow or Yes when the prompt appears. If you tap Don't Allow or No, the app will not send notifications even though you turned them on in settings.

If you accidentally tapped Don't Allow, go back to Settings, find the app, and look for a "Permissions" section. On iPhone, this appears as a list under the app name. On Android, it is usually a separate Permissions tab. Toggle Notifications on there, and the app will ask again the next time you open it.

Customizing which notifications you actually see

Turning on notifications does not mean you receive every alert an app sends. Most apps let you choose which types of messages reach you. Open the app itself (not Settings), look for a menu icon or the word Settings, and find Notifications or Alerts. From there you can usually turn on or off categories like messages, reminders, promotions, or updates.

For example, a news app might let you turn on breaking news but turn off sports scores. A messaging app might let you receive direct messages but mute group chats. These in-app settings give you control without having to block the entire app in your device settings. Check the app's notification menu first before deciding you do not want notifications from it at all.

Notifications on your computer versus your phone

You can turn on notifications separately for the same app on different devices. A messaging app might send notifications to your phone but not your computer, or vice versa. This is useful if you want alerts on your phone during the day but silence on your computer while you work.

Check each device's settings independently. Turning on notifications for an app on your iPhone does not automatically turn them on for that app on your Mac. If you want the same notification behavior across devices, you will need to go through the settings on each one. Some apps also have a master account setting (usually in the app itself, under Account or Preferences) that controls notifications across all your devices at once.

Sound, vibration, and banner settings

After you turn on notifications, you can control how they get your attention. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and scroll down to see options for Sound, Vibration, and Banner Style. You can choose whether notifications make a sound, vibrate your phone, or appear as a banner at the top of your screen. On Android, open Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Notifications and look for Sound and Vibration toggles.

On Windows, open Settings > System > Notifications & actions, find the app, and click on it to see options for sound and banner style. On Mac, open System Preferences > Notifications, find the app, and choose Alert Style (Banner, Alert, or None) and whether to play a sound. These settings let you receive notifications without them interrupting you constantly — for example, you might allow notifications but turn off sound so they appear silently on your screen.

Turning notifications back off if you change your mind

If you turn on notifications and later decide you do not want them, the process is the same as turning them on. Go to Settings, find the app, and toggle notifications off. The switch will turn gray. You can do this at any time, and the app will stop sending notifications when ready.

You can also turn off notifications for just one category within an app without blocking the entire app. Open the app, go to its notification settings, and toggle off the specific types of alerts you do not want. This way you might keep notifications for direct messages but turn off notifications for promotions or updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is an app not sending me notifications even though I turned them on?

The app probably asked for permission and you tapped Don't Allow. Go to Settings, find the app, look for Permissions, and toggle Notifications on. The app will ask again the next time you open it. Also check that you did not turn off notifications in the app's own settings menu.

Can I get notifications from one app but not another?

Yes. Each app has its own toggle in your device settings. Turn on notifications for the apps you want and leave the others off. You can also customize which types of notifications each app sends by opening the app and checking its notification preferences.

Will turning on notifications drain my battery?

Push notifications use very little battery power. The main drain comes from the app itself running in the background, not from receiving alerts. If battery life is a concern, focus on closing apps you are not using rather than disabling notifications.

What is the difference between a banner and an alert notification?

A banner appears at the top of your screen and disappears automatically after a few seconds. An alert stays on your screen until you dismiss it by tapping a button. Banners are less intrusive; alerts demand your attention. You can choose which style you prefer in your notification settings.