Where to find notification settings on Facebook
Facebook stores notification controls in two places: inside the app or website itself, and in your device's system settings. To actually receive notifications, you need to turn them on in both places. If you've turned them on in Facebook but your phone or computer is blocking them at the system level, you won't see anything.
The fastest route is to open Facebook, go to your settings, and look for the Notifications section. From there you can choose which types of alerts you want — messages, friend requests, comments, likes — and how you want to receive them. But that only works if your device is also set to let Facebook send notifications through.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook notifications require two separate on switches: one inside the Facebook app or website, and one in your device's system settings.
- On iPhone, you turn on notifications in Settings > Notifications > Facebook, then return to the Facebook app to choose which types of alerts you want.
- On Android, the process is Settings > Apps > Facebook > Notifications, then configure your preferences inside the Facebook app itself.
- On a computer, go to Facebook settings, click Notifications in the left menu, and select which activities should send you alerts.
- If you've turned notifications on but still aren't seeing them, check your device's Do Not Disturb or Focus mode settings, which can block all alerts.
Turning on notifications on iPhone
Start in your device settings, not in Facebook. Tap Settings on your home screen, then scroll down and tap Notifications. Find Facebook in the list — you may need to scroll — and tap it. Toggle on Allow Notifications. This gives Facebook permission to send alerts to your phone.
Now open the Facebook app and go to your settings. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Notifications and tap it. You'll see options like Messages, Friend Requests, Comments, Likes, and Events. Turn on whichever types of notifications you want to receive. You can also choose whether alerts arrive as banners, badges on the app icon, or sounds.
Turning on notifications on Android
Open Settings on your Android phone and tap Apps or Application Manager — the exact name varies by phone maker. Find Facebook in the list and tap it. Look for Notifications or Notification Settings and make sure it's turned on. Some phones call this "Allow notifications" or "Show notifications."
Next, open the Facebook app itself. Tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, then scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Find Notifications in the menu and tap it. You can now choose which types of alerts you want — messages, comments, friend requests, events, and others. Turn on the ones that matter to you. Android also lets you set a notification sound and choose whether alerts appear as banners or in your notification shade.
Turning on notifications on a computer
On a desktop or laptop, open Facebook in your web browser and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Click Settings & Privacy, then Settings. In the left menu, click Notifications. You'll see a list of notification types: Messages, Friend Requests, Comments, Likes, Events, and others.
Click each category to choose how you want to be notified. For each one, you can select Email, In-Browser Notifications, or both. In-Browser Notifications appear as small pop-ups while you're using Facebook. Email notifications arrive in your inbox. You can turn either or both on, or turn them off entirely for that category.
What to do if notifications still aren't showing up
If you've turned on notifications in both Facebook and your device settings but still aren't seeing alerts, check whether your phone or computer is in Do Not Disturb mode or Focus mode. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and look for a moon icon — if it's highlighted, Do Not Disturb is on. Tap it to turn it off. On Android, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings and look for Do Not Disturb; tap it if it's active.
On a computer, check whether your browser is set to block notifications from Facebook. In Chrome, click the lock icon next to the web address, find Notifications, and make sure it's set to Allow. In Safari on Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications and find Facebook in the list; make sure it's set to Allow Notifications. Windows users should check Settings > System > Notifications and make sure Facebook notifications aren't turned off there.
Choosing which notifications you actually want
You don't have to turn on every type of notification. Many people find that getting alerts for every like, comment, or friend suggestion becomes overwhelming. Start by turning on only the ones that matter to you — for most people, that's Messages and Friend Requests — and add others later if you want them.
You can also set different notification rules for different times of day. On iPhone and Android, go back to your device's Notifications settings for Facebook and look for options like Scheduled Summary or Time Sensitive. These let you batch notifications into a single alert at a specific time rather than getting them constantly throughout the day. On a computer, Facebook doesn't offer time-based rules, but you can simply turn off notifications for categories you don't need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I not getting Facebook notifications even though I turned them on?
The most common reason is that your device's system settings are blocking them. Check whether Do Not Disturb, Focus mode, or Quiet Hours is turned on. Also verify that you've allowed notifications in both your device settings and inside the Facebook app itself — turning them on in only one place won't work.
Can I get notifications for messages but not for likes and comments?
Yes. In the Notifications section of Facebook settings, you can turn on Messages while leaving Comments, Likes, and other categories turned off. This way you'll only get alerts for the things you care about.
What's the difference between email notifications and in-browser notifications?
In-browser notifications appear as pop-ups while you're using Facebook on a computer. Email notifications arrive in your inbox. You can have both turned on, just one, or neither. Most people prefer in-browser notifications because they're faster, but email is useful if you don't check Facebook often.
How do I turn off notifications for specific people or groups?
Facebook doesn't let you mute notifications from individual people through the main settings. Instead, visit a person's profile or a group's page, click the three dots, and look for Mute or Turn Off Notifications. This silences alerts from that person or group without unfriending or leaving.