Where to find push notification settings on your iPhone
Push notifications on iPhone are controlled in one place: the Settings app. Open Settings, tap Notifications, then look for the app you want to receive alerts from. The steps are the same whether you're setting up notifications for the first time or changing them later.
When you first install an app, iOS usually asks permission to send you notifications. If you tapped "Don't Allow" then, the app won't appear in your Notifications list until you change that permission. If you tapped "Allow," the app is already there and you can adjust how it notifies you.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are turned on per app in Settings > Notifications, not globally for your entire phone.
- When you install an app, iOS asks permission to send notifications — you can change that answer anytime in Settings.
- Each app can use different notification styles: banners that appear and disappear, alerts that stay until you dismiss them, or badges that show a number on the app icon.
- Turning off notifications for an app does not delete the app or stop it from working — it only stops the alerts.
- Some apps require notification permission to work fully, so check the app's own settings if notifications seem broken.
How to enable notifications for a specific app
Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down and find the app you want to receive alerts from. Tap the app name. At the top of that screen, you'll see a toggle labeled Allow Notifications — make sure it's turned on (the switch will be green).
Once that toggle is on, the rest of the options on that screen become active. You can now choose how the app notifies you: as a banner (appears briefly at the top), as an alert (stays on screen until you tap it), or as a badge (just a number on the app icon). Most apps default to banners, which is why you see alerts pop up without your phone making a sound.
If an app doesn't appear in your Notifications list at all, it means you said "Don't Allow" when iOS first asked for permission. Scroll to the bottom of the Notifications screen and tap Notifications Off — you'll see a list of apps you've blocked. Tap the app, then turn on Allow Notifications.
Sound, badges, and other notification options
After you turn on Allow Notifications for an app, you can control exactly how it alerts you. The most common options are Sound (whether your phone makes a noise), Badges (the red number on the app icon), and Show Previews (whether the notification shows the message content or just says "1 New Message").
Sound is usually on by default, but you can turn it off if you want to see the notification without hearing anything. Badges are useful if you want to know an app has something new without getting a pop-up alert. Show Previews is a privacy choice — if it's off, someone looking at your phone won't see what the notification says, only that you got one.
Some apps offer more detailed options below these basics. For example, Mail lets you choose which email accounts send notifications, and Messages lets you set different alerts for different people. Scroll down on the app's notification screen to see what else you can customize.
Notifications on your lock screen and in Control Center
When a notification arrives, where it shows up depends on your settings and what you're doing. If your phone is locked, notifications appear on your lock screen. If you're using the phone, they appear as a banner at the top or as an alert box, depending on what you chose.
You can also see all your recent notifications in two places: swipe down from the top of the screen to open Notification Center (a list of everything that came in), or swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center (which shows notifications at the top). Notification Center is the main place to review alerts you might have missed.
What to do if notifications aren't working
If you've turned on Allow Notifications but still aren't getting alerts, check three things. First, make sure the app itself isn't muted — some apps have their own notification settings inside the app that override iOS settings. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and check for a Notifications section there.
Second, check whether your phone is in Do Not Disturb mode. Swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center and look for the Do Not Disturb icon (a crescent moon). If it's on, notifications will be silenced. You can turn it off there, or set it to allow notifications from certain people or apps.
Third, make sure the app has permission to send notifications at all. Go back to Settings > Notifications, scroll to the bottom, and check the Notifications Off list. If the app is there, it means you blocked it — tap it and turn Allow Notifications back on.
Notifications and your iPhone's battery and privacy
Push notifications use very little battery — the real drain comes from apps running in the background or your screen staying on. Turning off notifications for an app does not stop it from using battery or data in the background. If you want to reduce what an app does overall, you need to manage background app refresh separately in Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Notifications can reveal information about your accounts and messages to anyone who sees your phone. If privacy is a concern, turn off Show Previews for sensitive apps like Mail, Messages, or banking apps. That way, your lock screen will show you got a notification without showing what it says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off notifications for all apps at once?
No — iOS doesn't have a master on/off switch for notifications. You have to manage each app individually. However, you can use Do Not Disturb (swipe up from the bottom, tap the crescent moon icon) to silence all notifications temporarily, or set it to allow only calls from certain contacts.
What's the difference between a banner and an alert?
A banner appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds, then disappears on its own. An alert stays on your screen until you tap it. Banners are less intrusive; alerts make sure you see the notification. You choose which one each app uses in its Notifications settings.
If I turn off notifications, will the app stop working?
No. Turning off notifications only stops the alerts — the app will continue to work normally. You just won't be notified when something happens. You can still open the app and see what's new whenever you want.
Why does an app ask for notification permission when I first install it?
Apps need your permission to send notifications because they're interruptions. iOS asks you upfront so you can decide whether you want that app to alert you. You can change your answer anytime in Settings > Notifications.
Can I have different notification sounds for different apps?
Yes. Open Settings > Notifications, tap an app, then tap Sound. You'll see a list of available notification sounds. Some apps let you choose from more sounds if you dig into their own settings inside the app.