Where to find notification settings on each device

Notifications live in different places depending on what you're using. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and you'll see a list of every app that can send you alerts. On Android, the path is Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications. On a Mac, it's System Settings > Notifications. On Windows, Settings > System > Notifications.

Each app also has its own notification settings buried inside the app itself — usually under a menu labeled Settings, Preferences, or a gear icon. The device-level settings control whether an app can send notifications at all. The app-level settings control what kind of notifications it sends and how often.

If you've turned notifications off and now want them back on, you're reversing the same steps. Find the app in your device's notification settings and toggle the switch back to on.

Key Takeaways

  • Notifications are controlled in two places: your device's main settings and inside each individual app, and you may need to turn them on in both places for them to work.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications; on Android, Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications; on Mac, System Settings > Notifications; on Windows, Settings > System > Notifications.
  • Turning on notifications at the device level does not automatically turn them on for every app — you usually have to enable them app by app.
  • Some apps send different types of notifications (messages, reminders, promotions) and you can turn some on while leaving others off.

Turning on notifications for a specific app on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down to find the app you want notifications from. Tap the app name. You'll see a toggle labeled Allow Notifications — make sure it's switched on (it will be green or blue, depending on your iOS version).

Once that's on, you can customize how the app notifies you. You can choose whether alerts appear on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as a banner at the top of the screen. You can also turn on or off the sound, badge (the red number on the app icon), and preview of the message content. Some apps let you choose a custom sound for their notifications.

If an app is not showing up in your Notifications list at all, it may not support notifications, or you may need to open the app itself and turn notifications on there first.

Turning on notifications for a specific app on Android

Open Settings and go to Apps & notifications. Tap Notifications. You'll see a list of apps. Find the one you want and tap it. Look for a toggle or switch labeled Allow notifications or Show notifications and turn it on.

Android also lets you control notification channels — different types of alerts from the same app. For example, Gmail might have separate channels for new messages and for security alerts. You can turn some channels on and others off. Tap Notification channels or Advanced to see these options.

If you don't see the app in your list, scroll down or use the search function at the top. Some apps hide their notification settings inside the app itself, so if you can't find it in Settings, open the app and look for a Notifications option in its menu.

Turning on notifications on Mac and Windows

On a Mac, open System Settings and click Notifications in the sidebar. You'll see a list of apps. Click the app you want notifications from and make sure Allow notifications is toggled on. You can then choose whether notifications appear as banners (which disappear after a few seconds) or alerts (which stay until you dismiss them).

On Windows, open Settings, go to System, and click Notifications. Scroll down to Notifications from apps and other senders and find the app you want. Toggle the switch next to it to turn notifications on. You can also control whether notifications appear on your lock screen and whether they make a sound.

Both systems also let you turn notifications on or off during certain hours — a Do Not Disturb or Focus mode. This doesn't turn notifications off permanently; it just silences them during the times you choose.

What to do if notifications still aren't showing up

If you've turned notifications on in both your device settings and inside the app, but you're still not seeing them, check a few things. First, make sure the app itself is not muted — some apps have their own mute button inside the app. Second, check whether you're in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, which silences notifications even if they're turned on. Third, restart the app or restart your device entirely.

On iPhone, also check Settings > Focus to see if a Focus mode is blocking notifications from that app. On Android, check whether the app has notification permission — go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Permissions > Notifications and make sure the app is listed there.

If the app is brand new, it may take a few minutes to send its first notification. If it's an older app that hasn't been updated in years, it may no longer support notifications on your current device version.

Understanding notification permissions and privacy

When you turn on notifications for an app, you're giving it permission to send you alerts. This doesn't mean the app can see your personal information — notification permission is separate from other permissions like access to your contacts or location. However, the app does know when you've received a notification and whether you've opened it.

Some apps use this information to track how often you engage with them. If you're concerned about this, you can turn notifications on but disable other permissions the app requests. For example, you can let a messaging app send you notifications without letting it access your camera or microphone.

Turning notifications on does not change what data the app collects. It only determines whether the app can interrupt you with alerts. The app's privacy policy — which you can usually find on the company's website — explains what data it collects and how it uses it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does an app not appear in my notification settings?

Some apps don't support notifications, or they may be hidden if you haven't used them recently. Try opening the app itself and looking for a Notifications or Settings option inside it. You can also search for the app by name in your device's notification settings rather than scrolling through the full list.

Can I turn on notifications for just one type of alert from an app?

Yes. Most apps let you customize which types of notifications you receive. On iPhone, tap the app in Settings > Notifications and look for options like Messages, Promotions, or Reminders. On Android, look for Notification channels. You can turn some on and others off.

If I turn notifications on, will the app use more battery?

Notifications themselves use very little battery. However, some apps that send frequent notifications may check for new information more often, which could have a small effect on battery life. If battery is a concern, you can turn notifications on but disable background app refresh for that app instead.

Do I need to turn notifications on in both the app and in my device settings?

Usually yes. Your device settings control whether the app is allowed to send notifications at all. The app's own settings control what kind of notifications it sends. If either one is turned off, you won't see notifications.

Can I turn notifications on for just certain times of day?

Yes. Use your device's Do Not Disturb (iPhone/Mac) or Focus mode (iPhone) or Quiet hours (Android/Windows) to silence notifications during specific times. You can set exceptions so that notifications from certain people or apps still come through even during quiet hours.