Open Settings, then Notifications, to see and change how apps alert you
On your iPhone, the place where you control notifications is inside the Settings app. Tap the grey gear icon on your home screen, scroll down until you see Notifications, and tap it. This screen shows you every app that can send you alerts, and it's where you turn them on, off, or change how they reach you.
The Notifications screen is split into two sections. At the top, under Include, you'll see apps that currently send you notifications. Below that, under Do Not Disturb and Lockscreen, you'll see apps you've already turned off. If an app isn't listed at all, it either doesn't have notification permission yet or it's an app that doesn't send notifications.
Key Takeaways
- Notifications settings live in Settings > Notifications on your iPhone, and you can change them one app at a time.
- Each app can be set to send alerts to your lock screen, notification center, or banners — or none of those — depending on what you choose.
- You can silence notifications during specific hours using Do Not Disturb, which is separate from turning off individual apps.
- Turning off badges (the red numbers on app icons) and sounds stops the most disruptive types of alerts without hiding notifications entirely.
How to turn notifications off for a single app
Tap any app name in the Notifications list. A screen opens showing that app's notification options. At the very top, you'll see a toggle labeled Allow Notifications. If it's green, that app can send you alerts. Tap it once to turn it grey — this stops all notifications from that app when ready.
You don't have to turn off the entire app. If you want to keep some notifications but reduce how much they interrupt you, scroll down on that same screen. You'll see options like Sounds, Badges, and Lock Screen. Each one has its own toggle. Turning off Sounds means you won't hear a ping, but you'll still see the alert. Turning off Badges removes the red number from the app's icon. Turning off Lock Screen stops notifications from showing on your lock screen while still letting them appear in your notification center.
The difference between lock screen, notification center, and banner alerts
When an app sends a notification, it can reach you in three different ways. A lock screen notification appears on your phone's lock screen — the screen you see before you unlock it. A notification center notification sits in a list you can pull down from the top of your screen anytime. A banner is a small box that slides down from the top while you're using your phone and disappears after a few seconds.
On the app's notification settings screen, you can choose which of these you want. Look for the section labeled Alerts or Notification Style. You'll see options like Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners. You can turn each one on or off independently. For example, you might want a work email app to show on your lock screen but not send banners that interrupt what you're doing. Or you might want a messaging app to send banners but not show badges on the icon.
Using Do Not Disturb to pause notifications during certain hours
Do Not Disturb is a separate tool from turning off individual apps. It silences notifications during times you choose — like during work hours, sleep, or meals. Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb. You'll see a toggle at the top. Turn it on, then tap Scheduled to set specific times when Do Not Disturb is active.
When Do Not Disturb is on, notifications still arrive, but your phone won't make sounds or light up. You can still see them if you unlock your phone and check your notification center. Some apps let you mark certain people as Favorites so their calls and messages still get through even during Do Not Disturb — this is useful if you want to block most alerts but stay reachable for emergencies. You can set this in Settings > Do Not Disturb > Phone or Messages, depending on which app you want to allow.
How to manage notifications from apps you haven't opened yet
When you first install an app, it may ask for permission to send notifications. You can say yes, no, or ask later. If you said yes and now regret it, you can change your mind anytime in Settings > Notifications. If you said no and now want to let an app notify you, go to Settings > Notifications, scroll to the bottom, and look for the app under Do Not Disturb or Lockscreen. Tap it and turn Allow Notifications back on.
Some apps don't ask for permission upfront. They just start sending notifications once you use them. If you see an app in your Notifications list that you don't remember installing, it's probably an app that came with your iPhone — like Calendar, Reminders, or Health. You can turn these off the same way you turn off any other app.
Clearing old notifications from your notification center
Your notification center — the list you pull down from the top of your screen — can fill up with old alerts. To clear them, pull down from the top of your screen to open the notification center. Swipe left on any notification to delete it, or tap Clear at the top right to delete all of them at once. This doesn't change your notification settings; it just removes the old alerts from the list.
Clearing your notification center is different from turning off notifications. If you delete a notification but don't change the app's settings, that app will still send you new notifications. To stop them permanently, you have to go back to Settings > Notifications and turn off the app or change its alert style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off notifications for just one contact or conversation?
It depends on the app. In Messages, you can mute a specific conversation by opening it, tapping the contact name at the top, and turning on Hide Alerts. In Mail, you can mute a sender by swiping left on their email and tapping Mute. Other apps may not have this option — you'd have to turn off the whole app or use Do Not Disturb instead.
What does "critical alerts" mean in notification settings?
Critical alerts are notifications that bypass Do Not Disturb and make sound even when your phone is silent. Only certain apps — like health apps, home security, or emergency services — can send critical alerts, and you have to turn them on separately. Most apps cannot send critical alerts, so you won't see this option for them.
If I turn off notifications, will I still get calls?
Turning off notifications in Settings > Notifications does not affect calls. Phone calls come through a different system. If you want to block calls, you have to use Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts or Do Not Disturb. Do Not Disturb will silence calls unless you've marked that person as a Favorite.
Why do some apps keep asking for notification permission even after I said no?
Some apps ask again after you update them or after a certain amount of time has passed. If you keep saying no and the app keeps asking, you can turn off the permission permanently in Settings > Notifications by finding the app and turning off Allow Notifications. The app won't ask again.
Can I see a history of notifications I've deleted?
No. Once you clear a notification from your notification center, it's gone. Your iPhone doesn't keep a log of deleted notifications. If you need to remember what an app told you, you have to check the app itself — most apps keep their own record of alerts they've sent.