Where to find the notification off switch
The fastest way to stop a notification is to turn it off at the source — the app or service sending it. On most devices, you do not need to uninstall anything or dig through settings menus. You can silence individual apps, entire categories, or everything at once depending on what bothers you most.
The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. Each system stores notification controls in a different place, but they all work the same way: find the app, open its settings, and toggle notifications off. This guide walks through each device type so you can find the right menu for what you own.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, go to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and turn off "Allow Notifications" to silence it completely.
- On Android phones, open Settings > Apps > Notifications, select the app, and toggle "Show notifications" to off.
- On Windows computers, open Settings > System > Notifications, find the app in the list, and turn off its toggle.
- On Macs, go to System Settings > Notifications, select the app, and uncheck "Allow notifications" in the sidebar.
- Most apps also have their own notification settings inside the app itself, which may give you finer control than the device-level settings.
Turning off notifications on an iPhone
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Notifications. You will see a list of every app that has ever sent you a notification, organized alphabetically.
Find the app you want to silence and tap its name. At the top of the screen, you will see a toggle labeled Allow Notifications. Tap it once to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and that app will stop sending notifications to your lock screen, notification center, and banner alerts.
If you want to keep some notifications but silence others, you can also tap the app and adjust settings below the Allow Notifications toggle — for example, turning off Sounds while keeping visual alerts, or turning off Badge App Icon (the red number on the app) while keeping everything else. This gives you more control than a straightforward on-off switch.
Turning off notifications on an Android phone
Open the Settings app. The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer, but the most common route is: tap Apps or Applications, then Notifications. Some phones call this App Notifications or Notification Settings.
Scroll through the list of apps and find the one you want to silence. Tap it. You will see a toggle labeled Show Notifications or Allow Notifications. Tap the toggle to turn it off. The app will stop sending notifications when ready.
If the app has its own notification settings inside the app itself, you can also open the app, look for a menu or settings icon (usually three dots or lines), and find a Notifications section there. App-level settings often give you more choices — like turning off notifications for one category while keeping others, or silencing notifications during certain hours.
Turning off notifications on a Windows computer
Click the Start button in the bottom left corner and type Notifications. Click Notifications & actions settings when it appears. You will see a list of every app that can send notifications.
Scroll down to find the app you want to silence. Click the toggle next to its name to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and that app will stop sending notifications to your notification center (the panel that appears when you click the notification icon in the bottom right).
You can also control notifications for entire categories at the top of the same settings page. For example, you can turn off Get notifications from apps and other senders to silence everything at once, or turn off Get tips and suggestions to stop Windows itself from sending you suggestions.
Turning off notifications on a Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Notifications in the sidebar on the left.
You will see a list of apps on the left side of the screen. Click the app you want to silence. On the right side, uncheck the box next to Allow notifications. The app will stop sending notifications to your notification center (the panel that appears when you swipe from the right edge of the screen or click the notification icon in the top right).
If you want finer control, you can also adjust settings below the Allow Notifications checkbox — for example, turning off Sound while keeping visual alerts, or changing the notification style from Banners to Alerts so notifications do not disappear automatically.
Silencing notifications inside the app itself
Many apps have their own notification settings that go deeper than what your device offers. Open the app, look for a menu icon (usually three dots, three lines, or a gear), and search for Settings or Preferences. Look for a section called Notifications, Alerts, or Messages.
Inside the app's settings, you might find options to turn off notifications for specific types of events — for example, turning off notifications when someone likes your post but keeping notifications when someone messages you directly. You might also find options to set quiet hours, so the app stops notifying you between certain times of day.
App-level settings usually override device-level settings. If you turn off notifications in the app itself, the device will not send them even if you have notifications turned on in your device settings. This is useful if you want to keep the app installed but do not want to hear from it.
What happens when you turn off notifications
When you turn off notifications for an app, that app will no longer send alerts to your lock screen, notification center, or home screen. You will not hear a sound or feel a vibration. The app's badge (the red number showing how many unread items you have) will also disappear.
Turning off notifications does not uninstall the app, delete your account, or stop the app from working. The app will continue to run and store data normally. You straightforward will not be interrupted by alerts. If you open the app manually, you will still see all your messages, updates, and activity — you just will not be notified about them in real time.
If you change your mind later, you can turn notifications back on by following the same steps and toggling the setting back to on. Your preferences will be saved, so if you turn off notifications for an app and then turn them back on months later, the app will resume sending alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off notifications for just one type of alert from an app?
Yes. Most apps have settings inside the app itself where you can choose which types of notifications to receive. For example, you might turn off notifications for likes and comments but keep notifications for direct messages. Open the app, find Settings or Preferences, and look for a Notifications section to see what options are available.
Will the app know I turned off its notifications?
No. Turning off notifications is a device-level setting that the app cannot see. The app will continue to function normally and will not send you a message saying you have disabled alerts. You can turn notifications off without any consequences to your account or the app's performance.
What if I turn off notifications but still want to know when something important happens?
You can set up notifications to come through only during certain hours, or you can turn off notifications for most apps but leave them on for a few that matter most. You can also check the app manually when you have time. Some apps also let you set different notification rules for different contacts — for example, allowing notifications from family but not from work colleagues.
Do I need to restart my phone after turning off notifications?
No. Notification changes take effect when ready. Once you toggle the setting off, the app will stop sending notifications right away. You do not need to restart your device, close the app, or do anything else.
Can I turn off all notifications at once?
Yes. On iPhones, go to Settings > Notifications and turn off Allow Notifications at the very top. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Notifications and turn off Show Notifications. On Windows, go to Notifications settings and turn off Get notifications from apps and other senders. On Macs, you can turn off notifications for individual apps but not all at once from one setting.