A push notification is a message that appears on your device without you opening an app or website
Push notifications pop up on your phone, tablet, or computer screen to tell you something — a text from a friend, a news alert, a reminder from your calendar, a sale at a store. They arrive whether you're using the app or not. The app or website sends the message to your device through a service that holds the connection open in the background, even when you're doing something else.
The word "push" means the message comes to you, rather than you having to open an app and pull the information out. Your device receives it passively. You can tap the notification to open the app, dismiss it, or ignore it entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications arrive on your screen without you opening an app, sent through a background connection your device maintains.
- Apps and websites can only send push notifications if you have turned them on in your device settings — you control whether you receive them.
- Push notifications work differently on iPhone, Android, and web browsers because each platform uses its own delivery system.
- You can turn off notifications from individual apps, silence them during certain hours, or disable them entirely in your device settings.
How push notifications reach your device
When you install an app or visit a website, it asks permission to send you notifications. If you say yes, your device registers with a notification service. On iPhone, that service is Apple Push Notification Service. On Android phones, it's Google Cloud Messaging or Firebase Cloud Messaging. On a web browser, it's a service specific to that browser.
The app or website then sends a message to that service, which holds an open connection to your device. When the message arrives, the service delivers it to your device, and your device displays it on your screen. The app itself doesn't need to be running — the notification service handles the delivery in the background.
This is why push notifications can wake your screen or make a sound even when you're not using your phone. The service is always listening for incoming messages meant for your device.
The difference between push notifications and other message types
Push notifications are sent by an app or website to your device through a background service. You receive them whether the app is open or closed. In-app notifications only appear when you're actively using the app — they're messages displayed within the app itself. Text messages come through your phone's cellular network or internet connection and appear in your Messages app, not as a notification overlay.
Email arrives in your email app and may trigger a notification depending on your settings. Alerts from your device's own apps — like reminders, alarms, or calendar events — are generated by software already on your phone, not sent from an external server. Push notifications are the only type that come from outside your device through a third-party service.
What you can do with push notifications
On most devices, you can turn notifications on or off for each app individually. Open your device's Settings app, find the app in the Notifications section, and toggle notifications on or off. You can also choose whether notifications make a sound, vibrate your device, or appear on your lock screen.
Many devices let you set a Do Not Disturb or Focus mode that silences notifications during certain hours — for example, between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. — while still allowing calls from people in your Favorites list. You can also turn off all notifications from all apps at once, though this is rarely necessary.
When a notification appears, you can tap it to open the app, swipe it away to dismiss it, or ignore it and let it disappear on its own. Dismissing a notification does not unsubscribe you from future ones — the app can still send you more.
Why apps and websites use push notifications
Push notifications let apps reach you without you having to open them. A messaging app can notify you that someone sent you a text. A news app can alert you to breaking news. A shopping app can tell you about a sale. A calendar app can remind you of an appointment. A social media app can let you know someone liked your post.
From the app maker's perspective, notifications keep you engaged — they remind you the app exists and encourage you to open it. From your perspective, they can be useful reminders or annoying interruptions, depending on which apps you've allowed to send them.
How to manage notification overload
If you receive too many notifications, the simplest approach is to turn them off for apps you don't need alerts from. You don't have to uninstall the app — just disable notifications in Settings. You can always turn them back on later.
Another approach is to group notifications. On iPhone, you can set notifications to "Stacked" view, which groups multiple notifications from the same app into a single item you can expand. On Android, you can customize how notifications appear and whether they make a sound.
Some apps let you customize notification settings within the app itself — for example, choosing to receive notifications only about direct messages, not about every like or comment. Check the app's Settings menu to see what options are available.
Push notifications on different devices
iPhone and iPad use Apple's notification system, which displays notifications on your lock screen, in Notification Center, and as banners at the top of your screen. Android phones use Google's system, which works similarly but with different visual styling. The underlying technology is different, but the experience is similar — a message appears on your screen without you opening an app.
Web browsers can also send push notifications if you give them permission. These appear as small windows in the corner of your screen, even if you've closed the browser tab. Desktop computers running Windows or macOS can receive notifications from apps installed on them as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do push notifications use my data or battery?
Push notifications use very little data — usually just a few kilobytes per message. They do use some battery because your device must maintain a connection to the notification service, but the impact is minimal compared to other background activity. If you're concerned about battery life, turning off notifications from apps you don't need will help slightly, but it won't make a dramatic difference.
Can I receive push notifications if my app is deleted?
No. Once you uninstall an app, it can no longer send you notifications. If you reinstall it later, notifications will be off by default until you turn them back on in Settings.
Why do some apps ask for notification permission when I first open them?
Apps ask for permission because your device requires explicit consent before any app can send you notifications. This is a privacy and security feature — it prevents apps from bombarding you with messages without your knowledge. You can always change your answer later in Settings.
What happens if I turn off notifications for an app but keep using it?
The app will work normally. You just won't receive any notifications from it. The app can still function, sync data, and update in the background — notifications are separate from the app's core features.
Can someone else send me a push notification?
Only the app or website you've given permission to can send you push notifications. A friend cannot send you a push notification directly. However, if you're using a messaging app, the app itself can send you a notification when your friend sends a message through that app.