Where to find Facebook notification settings
Facebook notification settings live in one place: the Settings menu in the bottom right of your screen (on desktop) or the menu icon at the bottom right (on mobile). From there, you go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Notifications. This is where you control what Facebook tells you about, how it tells you, and when.
The path is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer, phone, or tablet, though the exact button names shift slightly between devices. Once you are in the Notifications section, you will see categories: things like Comments, Likes, Friend Requests, and Messages. Each one has its own on-off switch and delivery method options.
If you cannot find Settings, look for the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) or the gear icon. Facebook moves these buttons around, but they are always in the corners of the screen. Tap or click it, then scroll down until you see Settings & Privacy.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook notifications are controlled in Settings & Privacy > Settings > Notifications, where you can turn off entire categories or change how you receive them.
- You can silence notifications from specific people or groups without unfriending them, using the mute feature on their profile or group page.
- Desktop, mobile app, and web browser notifications are controlled separately — turning off one does not turn off the others.
- Email notifications from Facebook are managed in the same Notifications section and can be turned off without affecting in-app alerts.
- Turning off all notifications does not delete your account or hide your profile; it only stops Facebook from sending you alerts.
Turn off entire notification categories
The fastest way to reduce noise is to turn off whole categories you do not care about. If you do not want to know every time someone likes your post, go to Notifications, find Likes, and toggle it off. The same works for Comments, Friend Suggestions, Event Invitations, or any other category listed there.
You do not have to turn off everything at once. Most people keep Comments and Messages on but turn off Likes, Friend Suggestions, and Birthday Reminders. Start by identifying which notifications actually matter to you — the ones you would check Facebook to see anyway — and turn off the rest.
If you turn off a category and change your mind later, go back to the same section and toggle it back on. Facebook does not penalize you for changing your settings, and you can adjust them as often as you want.
Silence notifications from specific people or groups
You do not have to turn off an entire category to stop hearing from one person. If a friend posts constantly and you are tired of the notifications, go to their profile, tap the three dots in the top right, and select Mute. You can mute them for 30 days or indefinitely. They will not know you muted them, and you can still see their posts if you visit their profile.
The same feature works for groups. If you are in a group that sends too many notifications, go to the group page, tap the bell icon, and choose which notifications you want from that group. You can keep group messages but turn off post notifications, or vice versa.
Muting is different from unfriending or leaving a group. The person or group stays in your life on Facebook — you just stop getting alerts about their activity. This is useful when you want to stay connected but do not want constant notifications.
Choose how Facebook sends you notifications
Facebook can reach you in three ways: through the app on your phone, through your web browser (if you have notifications turned on in your browser settings), or through email. You can turn off one method without turning off the others.
In the Notifications section, look for the delivery method options next to each category. You might see choices like "Push Notifications" (the app), "Email Notifications", or "Browser Notifications". Uncheck the ones you do not want. For example, you could keep push notifications for Messages but turn off email notifications for Messages, so you only get alerted on your phone.
Email notifications are often the easiest to turn off because they pile up fastest. If you are getting too many Facebook emails, go to Notifications, scroll to Email Notifications, and toggle off the categories you do not need emailed to you. You will still get alerts in the app.
Turn off notifications on your phone or browser separately
Facebook notifications on your phone are controlled in two places: in Facebook's own settings (as described above) and in your phone's settings. Even if you turn off notifications in Facebook, your phone might still send them if your phone's notification settings allow it.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Facebook and toggle off Allow Notifications. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Notifications and toggle off Allow Notifications. This stops your phone from showing any Facebook alerts, regardless of what Facebook's settings say.
For browser notifications, the control is in your browser, not in Facebook. In Chrome, click the lock icon next to the website address, find Notifications, and set it to Block. In Safari, go to Preferences > Websites > Notifications and find Facebook in the list. This stops your browser from showing Facebook alerts even if you have them turned on in Facebook's settings.
What happens when you turn off notifications
Turning off notifications does not change anything about your account. Your profile stays public or private as you set it. Your friends can still see your posts. You can still message people and see messages from them. The only thing that changes is that Facebook stops sending you alerts.
If you turn off all notifications and then want to turn some back on, you can do it when ready. There is no waiting period or re-set up step. Go back to Settings > Notifications and toggle on whatever you want to hear about again.
You will not lose any posts, messages, or memories. If someone comments on your post while notifications are off, the comment is still there when you open Facebook. You just will not get an alert about it.
Manage notifications from Facebook Messenger separately
Facebook Messenger has its own notification settings, separate from the main Facebook app. If you use Messenger, go to your profile picture in the top left, tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Notifications. From there you can control alerts for messages, calls, and group chats.
You can turn off notifications for everyone except specific people, or turn off notifications during certain hours. This is useful if you want to stay reachable for close friends but not get alerts from group chats or less frequent contacts.
Messenger notifications work the same way as Facebook notifications: they can be sent to your phone, browser, or email, and you can control each method separately. If you turn off Messenger notifications entirely, you will still receive messages — you just will not be alerted when they arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people know if I turn off their notifications?
No. If you mute someone or turn off notifications from them, they cannot see that you did it. They will not receive any message or notification telling them you muted them. The only way they would know is if you told them.
Can I turn off notifications for just one type of post, like video uploads?
Facebook does not let you filter that finely in the main settings. Your best option is to mute the person or group posting the videos you do not want to see. If you mute someone, you can still choose to see their posts by visiting their profile.
What if I turn off notifications but still want to see messages?
Go to Notifications, find Messages, and make sure it is toggled on while everything else is off. You can also control which delivery methods Messages use — for example, keep push notifications on your phone but turn off email notifications for messages.
Do I have to turn off notifications on my phone and in Facebook separately?
Not necessarily. Turning them off in Facebook's settings usually stops most alerts. But if your phone keeps sending them, you need to turn them off in your phone's settings too. It depends on your phone and how you have things set up.
Can I set quiet hours so notifications stop at night?
Facebook does not have a built-in quiet hours feature in the main app. Your phone does, though — on iPhone, use Focus modes; on Android, use Do Not Disturb. These will silence all notifications, including Facebook, during the hours you set.