Where to find notification settings on your device
Notifications are turned on by default on most devices, but the switch lives in a different place depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. If you've turned them off before and want them back, or if a program stopped sending them and you need to re-enable them, you'll need to know where your operating system keeps this control.
The fastest way is usually to search your device's settings for the word "notifications" rather than clicking through menus. On Windows, press the Windows key and type "notifications". On Mac, click the Apple menu, select System Settings, then search for "notifications". On iPhone, go to Settings and tap Notifications. On Android, open Settings and search for "notifications" or look under Apps.
Key Takeaways
- Notifications are on by default, but you can turn them back on in your device's settings under the Notifications section.
- Windows and Mac let you control notifications for the whole system or for individual programs; iPhone and Android do the same but organize the controls differently.
- Some programs need permission to send notifications the first time they run, and you may have accidentally denied that permission.
- If a program's notifications still don't appear after you've turned them on, restart the program or restart your device.
Enabling notifications on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start menu and select Settings. In the left sidebar, click System, then Notifications. You'll see a toggle at the top labeled "Notifications" — make sure it's switched on (it should be blue).
Below that, you'll see a list of every program installed on your computer. Each one has its own toggle. Find the program you want notifications from and turn its toggle on. You can also choose whether notifications appear as banners (a small box that pops up briefly) or as alerts (a box that stays until you close it) by clicking on the program name and adjusting the settings below.
If a program isn't in the list, it may not support notifications, or it may be too new for Windows to have added it yet. Restart the program and check again.
Enabling notifications on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then click Notifications in the sidebar. You'll see a list of every program on your Mac. Click the program you want notifications from, then make sure "Allow notifications" is turned on.
Below that, you can choose how notifications appear: as banners (which disappear after a few seconds), as alerts (which stay until you close them), or not at all. You can also choose whether the program's notifications show a badge (a red number) on its icon, play a sound, or show a preview of the message content.
If you don't see a program in the list, it either doesn't support notifications or hasn't been run yet. Launch the program once and return to this settings page — it should appear after you've used it.
Enabling notifications on iPhone
Open the Settings app, tap Notifications, then scroll down to find the program you want notifications from. Tap the program name, then make sure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on (it should be green).
Below that toggle, you can choose how notifications appear: as a banner at the top of the screen, as a list in the notification center (swipe down from the top to see it), or silently (the app sends the notification but doesn't alert you). You can also turn on or off the sound, badge (the red number on the app icon), and whether the notification shows a preview of its content.
If a program asks for permission to send notifications the first time you open it, tap "Allow". If you tapped "Don't Allow" by mistake, the only way to change it is through this Notifications settings page — the app won't ask again.
Enabling notifications on Android
Open Settings, then search for "notifications" or look under Apps (the exact path varies by phone brand). Find the program you want notifications from and tap it. Look for a toggle labeled "Show notifications" or "Allow notifications" and turn it on.
Some Android phones also let you control notification importance — tap "Notification settings" or "Advanced" to choose whether notifications appear as banners, in your notification center, or silently. You can also control whether they make a sound or vibrate.
Like iPhone, if an app asked for permission when you first opened it and you said no, you'll need to come back to this settings page to turn it on. Android 13 and newer ask for notification permission the first time an app tries to send one, rather than asking when you install it.
What to do if notifications still don't appear
After you've turned notifications on in settings, close the program completely and open it again. Sometimes a program doesn't start sending notifications until it's been restarted after the setting changes.
If that doesn't work, restart your entire device. This clears out any stuck processes and gives the operating system a chance to reload notification permissions. On Windows, click Start, then the power icon, then Restart. On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. On iPhone and Android, hold the power button until the shutdown screen appears, slide to power off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
If notifications still don't appear after a restart, the program itself may have a notification setting inside it. Open the program, look for Settings or Preferences (usually in a menu or a gear icon), and search for "notifications" there. Some programs let you turn notifications on or off within the app itself, separate from your device's settings.
Notifications for email and messaging apps
Email and messaging programs sometimes have extra notification controls because they can send so many different kinds of alerts. In addition to your device's notification settings, check inside the app itself.
In Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail, look for Settings or Preferences, then search for "notifications" or "alerts". You can usually choose whether to get notified for every message, only for messages from certain people, or only for messages marked as important. In text messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Telegram, the same applies — you can often mute notifications from specific conversations while keeping them on for others.
If you've turned notifications on in your device settings but still aren't getting them from an email or messaging app, check inside the app's own settings first before restarting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my notifications stop working after an update?
Updates sometimes reset notification permissions to their defaults. Go back to your device's notification settings, find the program that stopped working, and turn notifications back on. If it's an email or messaging app, also check its internal settings — updates can reset those too.
Can I turn notifications on for just one contact or conversation?
Yes, but only in messaging and email apps. In most text messaging apps, you can mute individual conversations while keeping notifications on for others. In email, you can create filters or rules to notify you only for messages from certain senders. Check your app's settings or help section for the exact steps.
What's the difference between a banner and an alert?
A banner appears briefly at the top of your screen and disappears on its own after a few seconds. An alert is a box that stays on your screen until you close it. Banners are less disruptive; alerts make sure you see the notification. You can choose which style you prefer for each program in your notification settings.
Do I need to allow notifications when an app first asks?
No. You can say no when the app asks, and turn notifications on later in your device's settings. If you change your mind, you can always go back to settings and turn them on. The app won't ask again after you've made your choice the first time.
Why does a program not appear in my notification settings?
Programs usually don't show up in notification settings until you've opened them at least once. Launch the program, close it, then go back to your notification settings — it should appear. If it still doesn't, the program may not support notifications.