Where to find notification settings on each device
Notifications live in different places depending on what you own. On an iPhone, they're in Settings > Notifications. On Android phones, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications. On Windows computers, open Settings > System > Notifications. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications. The path is always Settings first, then a section about notifications or apps.
Once you're in the right place, you'll see a list of apps that can send you messages. Some apps appear there automatically the moment you install them. Others only show up after they've sent you something at least once. If you don't see an app in the list, it either hasn't tried to notify you yet, or it doesn't have permission to send notifications at all.
The first time you open a new app, it usually asks permission to send notifications. You can say yes, no, or "ask me later." If you said no and now want to change your mind, the notification settings are where you turn that permission back on.
Key Takeaways
- Notification settings are in Settings on every device — iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac all follow the same basic path.
- You can turn notifications on or off for individual apps, so you don't have to choose between hearing from everything or hearing from nothing.
- Most devices let you control whether notifications make a sound, show on your lock screen, or appear as badges on the app icon.
- Turning notifications on for an app doesn't mean you'll be interrupted constantly — you can set quiet hours or choose which types of messages get through.
Turning notifications on for a single app on iPhone
Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down until you find the app you want to hear from. Tap its name. At the top of the screen, you'll see a toggle labeled "Allow Notifications" — make sure it's switched on (it will be green). If it's already on, notifications are already turned on for that app.
Below that toggle, you can decide how you want to be notified. "Lock Screen" means the notification appears on your lock screen when your phone is locked. "Notification Center" means it shows up when you swipe down from the top. "Banners" means a message pops up at the top of the screen while you're using your phone. You can turn any of these on or off independently. Most people leave at least one of them on so they actually see the notification.
Further down, you'll see options for sound and badges. "Sound" controls whether the notification makes a noise. "Badges" are the little red circles with numbers on the app icon — they show how many unread messages or alerts you have. Turn on whichever ones matter to you, then go back and repeat for any other apps.
Turning notifications on for a single app on Android
Open Settings and go to Apps & Notifications. You may see a list of all your apps, or you may see a section called "Notifications" — tap whichever one you see. Find the app you want notifications from and tap its name. Look for a toggle or switch labeled "Allow notifications," "Show notifications," or sometimes just "Notifications" — turn it on.
Once notifications are on, you can customize them. Tap "Notification settings" or a gear icon if you see one. You'll find options for sound, vibration, and whether the notification appears on your lock screen. Some apps let you choose which types of messages notify you — for example, a messaging app might let you get notifications for direct messages but not group chats. These options vary by app, so explore what's available for the one you're setting up.
If you don't see the app in your list, scroll down — the list is usually long. If it still doesn't appear, the app may not support notifications, or you may need to open the app itself and look for notification settings inside it rather than in your phone's main settings.
Turning notifications on for a single app on Windows
Open Settings and go to System > Notifications. Scroll down to "Notifications from apps and other senders." You'll see a list of apps. Find the one you want and click on it. A menu will open showing options like "Notifications," "Sounds," and "Banners." Turn on whichever ones you want. If the app isn't in the list, scroll down — the list is alphabetical and can be long.
If you still don't see it, the app may not be installed, or it may not support notifications. Some older or simpler apps don't have this feature. You can also check inside the app itself — many programs have their own notification settings separate from Windows settings.
Turning notifications on for a single app on Mac
Open System Settings and click Notifications in the sidebar. You'll see a list of apps on the left. Click the app you want to turn notifications on for. On the right side, make sure "Allow notifications" is turned on. Below that, you can choose whether notifications appear in Notification Center, show as banners, or play a sound. Turn on the ones you want.
If the app isn't in the list, it either doesn't support notifications or hasn't sent one yet. Some apps only appear in this list after they've tried to notify you at least once. If you want to hear from an app that's not listed, open the app and look for notification settings inside it.
What to do if an app keeps asking for permission
Some apps ask for notification permission every time you open them, even if you've already said no. This is usually a sign the app is designed to be pushy about notifications. You have two choices: say yes and then when ready turn off the notifications you don't want in your device settings, or delete the app.
If you say yes just to stop the asking, go straight to your notification settings and customize what that app can do. You can turn off sounds, banners, and lock screen notifications while keeping the app itself installed. This way the app gets permission but can't interrupt you.
Turning notifications back on after you've turned them off
If you turned off notifications for an app and now want them back, the process is the same as turning them on in the first place. Go to your device's notification settings, find the app, and flip the toggle back on. You won't lose anything by doing this — the app will straightforward start notifying you again from that moment forward.
Some people turn off notifications for an app temporarily during work or sleep, then turn them back on later. You can do this as often as you want. There's no penalty or waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning notifications on for an app drain my battery?
Notifications themselves use very little battery. What drains battery is an app running in the background constantly checking for new messages. Most apps only check when they have permission to notify you, so turning notifications on doesn't significantly change battery life. If an app is draining your battery, the problem is usually the app itself, not the notifications.
Can I turn notifications on for just one contact or one type of message?
It depends on the app. Some apps like Messages or WhatsApp let you customize notifications by contact or conversation — you can mute one person while hearing from everyone else. Others only let you turn notifications on or off for the entire app. Check inside the app itself, not just in your device settings, to see what options are available.
What's the difference between a banner and a lock screen notification?
A banner pops up at the top of your screen while you're using your phone, then disappears after a few seconds. A lock screen notification appears when your phone is locked and stays there until you unlock it or swipe it away. You can have both on, both off, or just one of them on.
If I turn notifications on, will my phone buzz or make noise automatically?
Not necessarily. Turning on notifications is separate from turning on sound. You can have notifications appear silently on your screen without any sound or vibration. In your notification settings, look for options labeled "Sound" or "Vibration" and turn those off if you want silent notifications.
Can I schedule notifications to only come through at certain times?
Your device has a "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus" mode that silences notifications during hours you set. On iPhone, this is called Focus. On Android, it's called Do Not Disturb. On Windows and Mac, it's called Focus information or Do Not Disturb. You can set these to turn on automatically at bedtime or during work hours, and exceptions can be made for certain contacts or apps.