Badges are the small red circles with numbers that appear on app icons
A badge on your iPhone is a small red circle, usually containing a number, that sits in the corner of an app icon on your home screen or in folders. The number tells you how many unread or pending items are waiting inside that app — unread emails, text messages, missed calls, or app updates. Some badges show just a dot instead of a number, which means something needs your attention but the app isn't counting specific items.
Badges exist to catch your eye without forcing you to open every app to check what's new. Your Mail app might show a badge of 7, meaning seven unread messages. Your Messages app might show 3, meaning three unread texts. Your Settings app might show a badge of 1 when a software update is ready to install.
Key Takeaways
- Badges are red circles with numbers that appear on app icons and show unread messages, notifications, or pending updates waiting inside the app.
- You can turn badges on or off for individual apps by going to Settings, then Notifications, then choosing each app and toggling Badge App Icon on or off.
- A badge with just a dot instead of a number means the app has something to show you but is not counting specific items.
- Clearing the badge usually means opening the app and reading or dismissing the items inside, though some apps have a "Clear Badge" option in their settings.
How to turn badges on or off for specific apps
Open Settings on your home screen, then tap Notifications. Scroll down and find the app you want to change — for example, Mail or Messages. Tap the app name to open its notification settings.
Look for the toggle labeled Badge App Icon. If the toggle is green, badges are on for that app. If it is gray, badges are off. Tap the toggle to switch it. You can repeat this for any app on your phone. Some apps, like Mail, let you choose whether to show a badge for each email account separately.
Why badges disappear and how to clear them
A badge disappears when you read or dismiss the items it is counting. If your Mail app shows a badge of 5, opening Mail and reading those five messages will usually make the badge vanish. The same applies to Messages, Reminders, or any other app — the badge reflects what is actually unread or pending inside.
Some apps clear their own badges automatically. Others require you to take action. For example, if your Reminders app shows a badge because you have overdue tasks, the badge stays until you mark those tasks complete or delete them. If your App Store shows a badge because updates are ready, opening the App Store and installing the updates will clear it.
The difference between numbered badges and dot badges
A numbered badge shows an exact count — 12 unread emails, 3 missed calls, 1 pending update. A dot badge (a small circle with no number) means the app has something to show you, but the app either does not count items or the count is not important. Calendar often uses a dot badge to show that an event is happening today, rather than counting how many events you have.
Some apps let you choose between numbered and dot badges in their settings. Others use one or the other by design. If you find numbered badges distracting, turning them off entirely is simpler than trying to switch to dots.
Badges on folders and the App Library
If you put apps inside a folder on your home screen, the folder itself can show a badge. The badge number is usually the sum of all badges inside that folder. For example, if you have a folder called "Social" containing Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, and each app has 5 unread notifications, the folder badge might show 15.
The App Library — the screen to the right of your last home screen — also shows badges. Badges appear on category icons (like Social, Entertainment, or Productivity) to show you that something inside that category needs attention. Tapping the category opens it and shows you which specific apps have badges.
Badges on the Settings app and system updates
The Settings app often shows a badge when your iPhone has a software update waiting to install. The badge usually shows 1, and it stays there until you go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update, and install the update. Some people find this badge annoying and turn it off, though that means you have to remember to check for updates manually.
Other system badges appear when you have pending actions — for example, a badge on iCloud Settings if you need to update your payment method, or a badge on Privacy settings if an app is requesting permission to access your location or photos. These badges are designed to alert you to settings that need your attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off badges for all apps at once?
No, you have to turn badges on or off for each app individually through Settings > Notifications. There is no master toggle to disable all badges across your phone. However, you can turn off badges for the most annoying apps and leave them on for the ones you care about.
Why does an app show a badge even though I have read everything inside it?
The app may not have cleared its own badge automatically. Try opening the app, scrolling to the top, and pulling down to refresh. If that does not work, closing and reopening the app sometimes forces it to update the badge count. Some apps have a bug that keeps the badge stuck until you restart your phone.
Does turning off badges mean I will miss notifications?
No. Turning off the badge icon does not turn off notifications themselves. You will still receive alerts, sounds, and banners when something new arrives. The badge is just a visual counter on the app icon — removing it does not silence the app or hide its alerts.
What does a badge with a dot but no number mean?
A dot badge means the app has something to show you but is not counting specific items. Calendar uses a dot to show an event is happening today. Some messaging apps use a dot to show you have unread messages without displaying the exact count. The meaning depends on the app.
How do I clear a badge that will not go away?
Try opening the app and reading or dismissing the items inside. If the badge still stays, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on. If it persists after that, go to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and toggle Badge App Icon off and back on to reset it.