Where to find notification settings on your device

Notification settings live in different places depending on what device you use. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Notifications. On Android, open Settings, then Apps & notifications. On Windows, select Settings, then System, then Notifications. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Notifications. Each operating system groups these controls differently, but they all let you turn notifications on or off for individual apps.

Once you open the notifications section, you will see a list of apps installed on your device. Some apps appear with notifications already turned on; others are turned off. The toggle or switch next to each app name controls whether that app can send you alerts. Turning the toggle on means the app can notify you. Turning it off silences that app completely.

Key Takeaways

  • Notification settings are found in your device's main Settings app under a Notifications or Apps section, not within individual apps.
  • You can turn notifications on or off for each app separately, so you can silence some apps while keeping others active.
  • Most devices let you choose what type of notification each app sends — sounds, badges, banners, or silent alerts — after you turn notifications on.
  • Some apps require you to turn on notifications twice: once in your device settings and once inside the app itself.
  • If an app does not appear in your notification settings, it either does not support notifications or has not been installed yet.

Turning on notifications for a specific app on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down to find the app you want to receive alerts from. Tap the app name. At the top of the screen, toggle on "Allow Notifications." Once this is on, you can customize how the app notifies you: choose whether you want sounds, badges (the red number circles on app icons), or banners (pop-ups that appear on your screen).

Some apps also have a second notifications toggle inside the app itself. If you turn on notifications in Settings but still do not receive alerts, open the app and look for its own notification settings. This is common with email apps, messaging apps, and social media. You may need to turn notifications on in both places for the app to work properly.

Turning on notifications for a specific app on Android

Open Settings and go to Apps & notifications. You can either search for a specific app or scroll through the full list. Tap the app name, then tap Notifications. Toggle on "Allow notifications." From there, you can choose the notification style — whether the app sends sounds, vibrations, or silent alerts — and set the importance level, which determines how prominently the notification appears.

Android also lets you control notifications by channel, meaning some apps send different types of alerts (like messages versus reminders) and you can turn each type on or off separately. For example, a calendar app might have a "Event reminders" channel and an "Upcoming events" channel. You can silence one without affecting the other.

Turning on notifications on Windows

Select Settings, then System, then Notifications. Scroll down to "Notifications from apps and other senders." Find the app you want to turn on and toggle it to on. You can also adjust whether the app sends sound, whether it shows a banner, and whether it appears in your notification center (the panel that slides in from the right side of your screen).

Windows also has a "Focus assist" feature that can silence all notifications during certain times or when you are using specific apps. If you turn on notifications for an app but still do not see them, check whether Focus assist is active. You can turn it off in the same Notifications settings page.

Turning on notifications on Mac

Open System Settings and go to Notifications. You will see a list of apps on the left side. Click the app you want to turn on. Check the box next to "Allow notifications." Below that, you can choose whether the app sends alerts as banners (which disappear after a few seconds) or alerts (which stay on screen until you dismiss them). You can also turn on or off sounds and badges.

Mac also lets you set a "Focus" mode that silences notifications from certain apps during specific times. If you have set up a Focus mode for work hours or sleep time, notifications from apps you have not added to that Focus will still come through. Check your Focus settings if notifications are not appearing when you expect them.

What to do if notifications still are not working

If you have turned on notifications in your device settings but still are not receiving alerts, check inside the app itself. Many apps have their own notification controls that override your device settings. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for a Notifications section. Turn on notifications there as well.

Also check whether your device is in a silent or do-not-disturb mode. On iPhone, look at the physical mute switch on the side of the phone. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen and check whether Do Not Disturb is active. On Windows and Mac, check whether Focus assist or Focus mode is turned on. These modes can block notifications even when you have turned them on in settings.

If the app still does not send notifications, restart your device. Sometimes notification permissions do not take effect until you restart. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the app — this can reset its notification permissions and fix bugs that prevent alerts from coming through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I not getting notifications even though I turned them on?

The app may have its own notification settings that need to be turned on separately. Check inside the app for a Notifications or Alerts section. Also check whether your device is in silent mode, do-not-disturb mode, or focus mode — these can block notifications even when they are turned on in settings.

Can I turn on notifications for only certain types of alerts from one app?

Yes. Most apps let you choose which notification channels or categories to turn on. For example, you might turn on notifications for direct messages but turn off notifications for likes or comments. Look inside the app's settings for notification preferences, or check your device's notification settings for that app — both may offer channel-level controls.

What is the difference between a badge, a banner, and a sound?

A badge is the red number circle that appears on an app icon. A banner is a pop-up that slides down from the top of your screen. A sound is an audio alert. You can turn each of these on or off separately for each app, so you could get a badge and sound but no banner, or any other combination.

Do I need to turn on notifications in both my device settings and inside the app?

Sometimes. Your device settings control whether an app is allowed to send notifications at all. The app's own settings control what kind of notifications it sends and when. If either one is turned off, you will not receive alerts. Check both places if notifications are not working.

Will turning on notifications drain my phone battery?

Notifications themselves use very little battery. The main battery drain comes from apps constantly checking for new information in the background. Turning on notifications does not significantly increase battery use, but if you are concerned about battery life, you can turn off notifications for apps you do not need alerts from.