Where to find notification settings on your device
Notifications live in your device settings, not in individual apps. On most phones and computers, you'll find them in a central location where you control what can send you alerts. The exact path depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.
On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Notifications, and you'll see a list of every app installed on your phone. On an Android phone, open Settings, look for Apps or Applications, then Notifications — the exact wording varies by manufacturer. On a Windows computer, open Settings, go to System, then Notifications & actions. On a Mac, open System Settings, click Notifications, and you'll see apps listed on the left side.
Once you're in the notifications section, you'll see apps that can send you alerts. Some will already be turned on; others will be off. The next steps show you how to turn them on for the apps you actually want to hear from.
Key Takeaways
- Notifications are controlled from your device settings, not from inside each app — find them in Settings on any phone or computer.
- You turn notifications on or off per app, so you can allow alerts from email but silence them from games.
- Most devices let you choose how notifications arrive: as a sound, a vibration, a banner at the top of the screen, or silently in a notification center.
- If an app doesn't appear in your notification settings, it either doesn't support notifications or you need to update it first.
Enabling notifications on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down until you see Notifications — it usually appears near the top of the list. Tap it, and you'll see every app on your phone listed alphabetically. Find the app you want notifications from and tap its name.
Once you're inside that app's notification settings, you'll see a toggle labeled "Allow Notifications" at the top. If it's gray, notifications are off; if it's green, they're on. Tap the toggle to turn it on. After you do, more options appear below: you can choose whether notifications show as a banner (a small alert at the top), a lock screen notification (visible when your phone is locked), or in the Notification Center (a list you pull down from the top). Most people leave these at their defaults unless they want to change how the alert appears.
If you want the app to also make a sound or vibrate when a notification arrives, scroll down in that same app's settings and look for Sound or Vibration. These are usually on by default once you've enabled notifications.
Enabling notifications on Android
Open Settings and look for Apps, Applications, or App Management — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer. Once you're there, you'll see a list of installed apps. Find the app you want notifications from and tap it.
Inside the app's settings, look for Notifications or Notification settings. Tap it, and you'll see a toggle to turn notifications on. If the toggle is off (usually gray), tap it to turn it on (usually blue or green). Some Android phones show this toggle right at the top of the app's settings page; others bury it deeper. If you don't see a Notifications option, scroll down or look for a menu icon (three dots) at the top right.
Once notifications are on, you can usually choose how they arrive: as a sound, vibration, or silent notification that only shows in your notification center. These options appear below the main toggle. If you want to silence notifications during certain hours, look for a Do Not Disturb or Quiet Hours setting in your main Settings app — that controls all notifications at once, not just one app.
Enabling notifications on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing Settings, then press Enter. Click System on the left side, then scroll down and click Notifications & actions. You'll see a list of apps that can send notifications, with toggles next to each one.
Find the app you want notifications from and make sure its toggle is on (blue). If it's off (gray), click it to turn it on. Below the app list, you'll see options for how notifications behave: you can choose whether they show as a banner in the corner, appear in the Action Center (a panel you open from the bottom right), or make a sound. Most people leave these at the defaults.
If the app you want isn't listed, it may not support notifications, or you may need to update it. Open the Microsoft Store, search for the app, and check for an Update button. After updating, go back to Notifications & actions and look for it again.
Enabling notifications on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click Notifications in the left sidebar — you'll see a list of apps on the right. Find the app you want notifications from and click it.
Once you've selected the app, you'll see notification options. Look for a toggle or checkbox labeled "Allow notifications" and make sure it's turned on. Below that, you can choose how notifications appear: as a banner (a small alert in the corner), in the Notification Center (a list you access from the top right), or both. You can also choose whether the app plays a sound when a notification arrives.
If the app isn't listed in Notifications settings, it may not support notifications yet. Check the App Store to see if an update is available, install it, and then return to Notifications settings.
What to do if notifications still aren't working
If you've turned notifications on but still aren't seeing them, check whether your device is in Do Not Disturb or Silent mode. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to see Control Center and look for a moon icon — if it's highlighted, Do Not Disturb is on. On Android, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings and look for Do Not Disturb. On Windows and Mac, check your notification settings for a "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus" mode that might be blocking alerts.
Also check whether the app itself has notification permissions. Some apps require you to turn on notifications both in your device settings and inside the app itself. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for a Notifications option. If you find one, make sure it's turned on there too.
If notifications are on everywhere and Do Not Disturb is off, restart your device. Close the app completely, turn your phone or computer off and back on, then open the app again. This often fixes notification problems that settings alone won't solve.
Customizing notification behavior for different apps
Once notifications are turned on, you can fine-tune how each app sends them. On iPhone, you can choose whether notifications appear on your lock screen, in the Notification Center, or as a banner. You can also turn off sounds or vibrations for specific apps while keeping them on for others. This is useful if you want email notifications but don't want your phone buzzing every time a game sends you a reminder.
On Android, you can often choose notification importance levels — some apps let you set notifications to High (shows as a banner and makes a sound), Medium (shows silently), or Low (only appears in the notification center). This gives you control without turning notifications off entirely. On Windows and Mac, you can usually choose whether notifications show as a banner, appear only in the notification center, or both.
Most people set up notifications once and leave them. But if you find yourself getting too many alerts, come back to these settings and turn off notifications for apps you don't actually need to hear from. You can always turn them back on later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I see an app in my notification settings?
Apps that don't support notifications won't appear in your notification settings at all. Some older or simpler apps never had notification features. If you think an app should have notifications, check the App Store or Google Play for an update — newer versions sometimes add notification support. After updating, check your notification settings again.
Can I turn on notifications for some apps but not others?
Yes, that's the whole point of per-app notification controls. You can turn notifications on for email and messages but off for games and social media. Each app has its own toggle in your notification settings, so you have complete control over which apps can send you alerts.
What's the difference between a banner and a lock screen notification?
A banner appears as a small alert at the top of your screen while you're using your phone, then disappears after a few seconds. A lock screen notification stays visible on your locked screen until you unlock the phone. Most people use both — that way you see alerts whether your phone is locked or unlocked.
Do I need to turn on notifications inside the app as well as in settings?
Sometimes. Most apps respect your device settings, but some require you to turn on notifications in two places: once in your device settings and once inside the app itself. If notifications aren't working after you've enabled them in settings, open the app and look for a Notifications option in its menu or settings.
Will turning on notifications drain my battery?
Notifications themselves use very little battery. What drains battery is apps constantly checking for new messages in the background. If battery life is a concern, turn off notifications for apps you don't need to hear from immediately, rather than worrying about the notifications themselves.