Badges are the small red numbers on your app icons
A badge is the small red circle with a number or dot that appears on an app icon on your iPhone home screen or in your app library. The number tells you how many unread items are waiting inside that app — unread emails, text messages, missed calls, or notifications from social media. A dot without a number means something needs your attention, but the app isn't counting how many things.
Badges exist to catch your eye at a glance. Instead of opening every app to see what's new, you can see from your home screen that you have 3 unread emails, 12 unread texts, or 1 missed call. They're designed to be helpful, but they can also create constant pressure to check your phone.
The badge appears in the top-right corner of the app icon. If you have multiple apps with badges, your home screen can start to feel like a to-do list that never clears. That's why controlling which apps show badges — and which don't — is one of the most effective ways to reduce notification stress.
Key Takeaways
- Badges are red circles with numbers that show unread items in an app, appearing in the top-right corner of the icon.
- You can turn off badges for individual apps in Settings, which removes the red circle without turning off all notifications.
- Turning off a badge does not delete unread messages or stop the app from working — it only hides the count from your home screen.
- Some apps like Mail and Messages let you choose whether to show a badge for all unread items or only for important ones.
- Removing badges from low-priority apps is often more effective than silencing notifications, because you control when you check instead of being reminded constantly.
How to turn off badges for a single app
Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down and find the app you want to change — for example, Facebook or Instagram. Tap the app name to open its notification settings.
Look for the option called "Badge App Icon" or just "Badge". It will have a toggle switch next to it. If the toggle is green, badges are on. Tap it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and that app will no longer show a red number on your home screen.
You can repeat this for as many apps as you want. Many people turn off badges for social media, games, and news apps, but keep them on for Mail, Messages, and Phone so they don't miss important communication.
The difference between turning off badges and silencing notifications
Turning off a badge and turning off notifications are two different things, and it matters which one you choose. When you turn off a badge, the app can still send you notifications — sounds, banners, or alerts on your lock screen. You just won't see the red number on the icon.
Silencing notifications means the app stops sending you alerts altogether. You won't hear a sound, see a banner, or get a vibration. But the unread items are still there inside the app, and if you turn badges back on, the number will reappear.
For many apps, turning off the badge alone is the better choice. You still get notified when something arrives, but you're not stared at by a growing number every time you look at your home screen. You check the app when you're ready, not because a badge is nagging you.
What happens to unread items when you turn off badges
Turning off a badge does not delete your unread messages, emails, or notifications. Everything is still there inside the app, exactly as it was. The badge just stops showing the count on your home screen.
If you open the app, you'll still see which items are unread. You can still mark them as read, delete them, or respond to them. The only thing that changes is that you won't see the red number reminding you they exist.
This is why turning off badges for low-priority apps can actually help you focus. Instead of being reminded by a number every time you glance at your phone, you decide when to check the app. You're in control of your attention instead of the app controlling it.
Apps where you might want to keep badges on
Most people find it useful to keep badges on for apps where missing a message could matter: Mail, Messages, Phone, and Calendar. These are communication and scheduling apps where unread items usually mean someone is waiting for you to respond.
You might also keep badges on for apps related to your work or health — anything where a notification could be time-sensitive. But for social media, games, news, and entertainment apps, turning off badges usually reduces stress without losing anything important.
The right choice depends on your life. If you use Instagram for work, keep the badge. If you use it to pass time, turn it off. You can always change your mind later — badges are straightforward to turn back on if you find you miss them.
Mail and Messages have special badge options
Mail and Messages offer more control than most apps. Instead of just turning badges on or off, you can choose what counts toward the badge.
In Mail, you can set the badge to show only unread messages in your inbox, or unread messages from VIPs, or turn it off entirely. In Messages, you can show badges for all unread conversations or turn them off. This lets you stay aware of important messages without being overwhelmed by every single unread item.
To find these options, go to Settings, tap Notifications, then tap Mail or Messages. Look for "Badge App Icon" or "Badge Style" and you'll see the choices available. These settings are worth exploring if you get a lot of email or texts and want to reduce the noise without missing anything critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I turn off badges, will I still get notifications when a message arrives?
Yes. Turning off the badge only removes the red number from the app icon. You'll still get sounds, vibrations, and lock screen alerts if those notifications are turned on. The badge and notifications are separate settings.
Can I turn off badges for all apps at once?
No, you have to turn off badges one app at a time in Settings. There's no master switch to disable all badges. However, you can do it quickly by going to Settings > Notifications and working through your list.
What if I turn off a badge and then change my mind?
Go back to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and tap the Badge toggle to turn it back on. Your unread items will still be there, and the number will reappear on the icon.
Do badges use battery or slow down my phone?
No. Badges are just visual indicators. They don't drain your battery or affect your phone's performance. The only reason to turn them off is to reduce visual clutter and notification stress.
Why do some apps show a dot instead of a number?
Some apps, like Find My or Reminders, show a dot to indicate something needs attention but don't count how many items. You can turn off these dots the same way — through Settings > Notifications > Badge App Icon.