Where to find text notification settings on your phone

Text notifications live in two places: your phone's main settings, and inside each individual app. Your phone's settings control whether texts can reach you at all — whether they can make sound, vibrate, or show on your lock screen. Individual app settings let you choose which messages from that app actually trigger a notification.

On an iPhone, open Settings, then tap Notifications. You'll see a list of every app installed on your phone. Tap the app you want to adjust. On an Android phone, open Settings, then tap Apps and Notifications (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Find the app in the list, tap it, then tap Notifications.

If you don't see an app in either list, it either doesn't send notifications or hasn't been opened yet. Opening it once usually makes it appear in your notification settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Text notifications require two separate on switches: one in your phone's main settings and one inside the app itself.
  • Your phone's notification settings control how the notification reaches you — sound, vibration, lock screen display, or silent only.
  • App notification settings control which specific messages trigger a notification at all.
  • Turning notifications on in your phone settings but off in the app means you'll see nothing; both must be on.

Turning on notifications in your phone's main settings

On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications > [App Name]. Toggle "Allow Notifications" to on (it will turn green). Below that, you can choose whether notifications appear on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as a banner at the top of your screen. You can also choose the notification sound and whether it vibrates.

On Android: Go to Settings > Apps and Notifications > [App Name] > Notifications. Toggle "Show Notifications" to on. Some Android phones let you set the notification sound and vibration pattern here; others require you to open the app itself to adjust those details.

If you turn on notifications here but the app still doesn't notify you, the app's own settings are probably set to off. Check inside the app next.

Turning on notifications inside the app itself

Most apps have their own notification settings separate from your phone's settings. Open the app, then look for Settings or Preferences — usually a gear icon or three horizontal lines in a corner. Tap it, then search for "Notifications" or "Messages."

Inside the app, you'll typically see toggles for different types of messages. For example, a messaging app might let you turn on notifications for direct messages but turn off notifications for group chats. A banking app might let you turn on alerts for large transactions but turn off alerts for small purchases. Turn on the specific types of messages you want to be notified about.

The exact wording and location varies wildly between apps. If you can't find notification settings in the obvious places, try searching the app's help section or support website for "turn on notifications."

What to do if notifications still aren't working

If you've turned on notifications in both places and still aren't receiving them, check whether your phone is in Do Not Disturb mode. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner and look for a moon icon; if it's highlighted, tap it to turn off Do Not Disturb. On Android, swipe down from the top twice and look for "Do Not Disturb"; if it's on, tap it to turn it off.

Also check whether the app has permission to send notifications at all. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > [App Name] and make sure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps and Notifications > [App Name] > Permissions and make sure "Notifications" is allowed.

If the app is brand new, restart your phone. Sometimes newly installed apps don't fully set up their notification system until you restart. If notifications still don't work after restarting, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

Controlling notification sound and vibration

On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > [App Name]. Scroll down to find "Sound" and "Vibration." Tap Sound to choose from your phone's built-in notification sounds, or tap Vibration to choose a vibration pattern. You can also toggle "Haptic" on or off — this is a subtle tap feeling on newer iPhones.

On Android, the process varies by phone manufacturer. Usually you go to Settings > Apps and Notifications > [App Name] > Notifications, then look for Sound or Vibration options. If you don't see them there, open the app itself, go to its Settings, and look for Notification Sound or Vibration Pattern.

Some apps override your phone's notification sound settings and use their own sound instead. If you set a notification sound in your phone settings but the app uses a different sound, check the app's own notification settings for a Sound option.

Choosing which notifications reach your lock screen

On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > [App Name]. Under "Lock Screen," you can choose whether notifications appear on your lock screen at all, and whether they show a preview of the message or just say "Notification." Choosing "Off" means the notification will still arrive, but you won't see it until you unlock your phone.

On Android, this setting is less standardized. Some phones let you control it in Settings > Apps and Notifications > [App Name] > Notifications. Others require you to open the app and adjust it in the app's own notification settings. Look for options labeled "Lock Screen," "Show on Lock Screen," or "Sensitive Notifications."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. If either one is off, you won't receive notifications. Think of it as two gates: both must be open for the notification to reach you. Your phone's settings are the first gate; the app's settings are the second.

Why does my app show a notification badge but I didn't hear or feel anything?

The app is sending a notification, but your phone's notification settings are probably set to silent or vibrate-only. Go to Settings > Notifications > [App Name] and check the Sound setting. You may also be in Do Not Disturb mode, which silences all notifications regardless of your settings.

Can I turn on notifications for some messages from an app but not others?

Many apps let you do this. Open the app, go to its Settings or Preferences, and look for notification options. For example, a messaging app might let you turn on notifications for direct messages but turn off notifications for group chats. Not all apps offer this level of control.

What's the difference between a banner and a lock screen notification?

A banner appears at the top of your screen while you're using your phone and disappears after a few seconds. A lock screen notification appears on your lock screen and stays there until you unlock your phone. You can choose which one you want in Settings > Notifications > [App Name] on iPhone.

If I turn off notifications, will I still get the message?

Yes. Turning off notifications means you won't be alerted when the message arrives, but the message itself will still be stored in the app. You'll see it the next time you open the app.