Where to find notification settings on your device
Notification settings live in different places depending on what device you use. On an iPhone, they're in the Settings app under Notifications. On Android phones, go to Settings, then Apps or Application Manager, then Notifications. On Windows computers, open Settings, then System, then Notifications. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Notifications.
The exact names and locations shift slightly between device versions, but the path is always: Settings (or System Settings) → look for "Notifications" or "Apps" → find the app you want to control. Once you're in the right section, you'll see a list of apps that send you messages. Each one has an on/off switch or a menu with options.
If you can't find the Notifications section, use your device's search function. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right and search for "notifications". On Android, open Settings and use the search bar at the top. On Windows, press the Windows key and type "notifications". This is faster than clicking through menus.
Key Takeaways
- Most devices let you turn notifications off entirely for one app, or keep them but silence the sound and vibration.
- You can usually set different rules for different times of day — for example, allow notifications during work hours but silence them at night.
- Turning off notifications for an app does not delete the app or stop it from working; it only stops the alerts.
- If you turn notifications back on later, your settings will be exactly as you left them.
Turning off all notifications from one app
The simplest way to stop an app from bothering you is to turn off its notifications completely. On iPhone, open Settings → Notifications, find the app in the list, and tap it. At the top, toggle "Allow Notifications" to off. The switch will turn gray. On Android, open Settings → Apps, find the app, tap Notifications, and toggle "Show notifications" off.
On Windows, open Settings → System → Notifications, scroll down to "Notifications from apps and other senders", find the app in the list, and click the toggle to turn it off. On Mac, open System Settings → Notifications, find the app in the left sidebar, and uncheck "Allow notifications".
Once you turn notifications off, that app will not send you any alerts, badges, or sounds. You can still open the app and use it normally — turning off notifications does not affect how the app runs. If you change your mind, go back to the same setting and turn notifications back on.
Keeping notifications but silencing the sound and vibration
You might want to see notification badges on an app's icon without hearing a sound or feeling your phone vibrate. This is useful for apps you check regularly but don't need to interrupt you. On iPhone, go to Settings → Notifications → [app name], then scroll down and toggle "Sounds" off. You can also toggle "Haptics" off to stop vibrations.
On Android, open Settings → Apps → [app name] → Notifications, then look for "Sound" or "Vibration" and turn them off. The exact wording depends on your phone's version. On Windows, open Settings → System → Notifications, find the app, and toggle "Play a sound when a notification arrives" off. On Mac, open System Settings → Notifications → [app name], and uncheck "Play sound".
With these settings, the app will still send you notifications — you'll see them in your notification center or on your lock screen — but your phone won't make noise or vibrate. This keeps you informed without the interruption.
Setting quiet hours or do-not-disturb schedules
Most devices let you create a time window when notifications are silent automatically. On iPhone, this is called Focus. Open Settings → Focus, tap the plus sign, and create a new Focus (like "Sleep" or "Work"). Set the schedule, then choose which apps can notify you during that time. All other apps will be silenced.
On Android, open Settings → Notifications, look for "Do Not Disturb" or "Quiet Hours", and set a start and end time. You can usually choose to allow calls and messages from specific contacts while blocking everything else. On Windows, open Settings → System → Focus assist, choose "Alarms only", "Priority only", or "Off", and set the schedule. On Mac, open System Settings → Focus, create a new Focus, and set the times.
These schedules override individual app settings, so even if an app is set to send notifications, it will be silenced during your quiet hours. When the scheduled time ends, notifications return to normal automatically.
Turning off notifications for specific types of alerts
Some apps send different kinds of notifications — messages, reminders, promotions, updates. You can often turn off just the ones you don't want. On iPhone, go to Settings → Notifications → [app name], and look for toggles like "Badges", "Sounds", "Lock Screen", or "Banners". Turn off the ones you don't need.
On Android, open Settings → Apps → [app name] → Notifications, and look for categories like "Messages", "Promotions", or "Updates". Tap each category and toggle it off. On Windows and Mac, the options are more limited — you usually get an all-or-nothing choice, though some apps have their own notification settings inside the app itself.
If an app has its own settings menu, open the app and look for Preferences, Settings, or Notifications. Some apps let you control notifications from within the app even if your device settings don't offer that level of detail. This is often the fastest way to silence just the alerts you don't want.
Clearing notification badges without turning off alerts
A notification badge is the small red circle with a number on an app's icon. It tells you how many unread messages or updates you have. If you want to see badges but don't want sounds or vibrations, you've already done that in the earlier section. But if you want to clear a badge without opening the app, most devices don't offer a direct way.
The simplest solution is to open the app briefly — the badge usually clears as soon as you view the notification. On iPhone, you can also swipe left on a notification in your notification center and tap "Clear" to dismiss it without opening the app. On Android, swipe left or right on a notification to dismiss it. These actions clear the notification but don't turn off future alerts.
What happens when you turn notifications back on
If you turn notifications off for an app and later change your mind, all your previous settings stay in place. Go back to the notification settings for that app and toggle notifications back on. The sound, vibration, and display settings you chose before will be exactly as you left them.
The app will not send you a flood of old notifications you missed while notifications were off. It will only send new notifications from that point forward. This means you won't be overwhelmed with alerts from the time the notifications were disabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off notifications delete my messages or data from the app?
No. Turning off notifications only stops the alerts. All your messages, photos, emails, and other data stay in the app exactly as they are. When you open the app, everything will be there. Notifications are just the interruptions — they don't affect the app's content.
Can I turn off notifications for just one contact or sender?
It depends on the app. Text message and email apps usually let you mute specific people or addresses. Open the conversation or message thread, look for a menu (three dots or a gear icon), and find "Mute" or "Silence notifications". Other apps like social media don't usually offer this level of control — you have to turn off all notifications from that app or none.
Why do I still see notifications even though I turned them off?
Check that you turned off notifications for the right app. Some notifications come from your device itself, not from an app — like low battery warnings or software updates. These are usually in a separate section called "System" or "Device" notifications. Also check if the app has its own notification settings inside the app that override your device settings.
Can I turn notifications off for just my lock screen but keep them in my notification center?
Yes, on iPhone and Android. On iPhone, go to Settings → Notifications → [app name], tap "Lock Screen", and toggle it off. The notification will still appear in your notification center when you unlock your phone. On Android, open Settings → Apps → [app name] → Notifications, look for "Lock screen", and turn it off. The notification will still be there when you check your notification center.
What's the difference between turning off notifications and uninstalling the app?
Turning off notifications silences the alerts but keeps the app on your device and working. You can still open it, use it, and see your data. Uninstalling removes the app entirely. If you just want to stop the interruptions, turn off notifications. If you don't use the app at all and want to free up space, uninstall it.