Push notifications are messages that appear on your iPhone even when you're not using an app
A push notification is a short message sent from an app or website to your iPhone's lock screen, home screen, or notification center. You don't have to open the app to see it — the message arrives whether you're using your phone, using a different app, or your phone is locked. The app sends the notification to Apple's servers, which then deliver it to your device.
Push notifications are different from messages that only show up inside an app. When you open Mail and see unread messages, that's not a push notification — that's information stored in the app itself. But when Mail sends you an alert on your lock screen about a new email, that's a push notification traveling from Apple's servers to your phone.
The notification appears as a banner at the top of your screen, a badge number on the app icon, or a sound alert, depending on how you've set it up. You can tap the notification to open the app, or swipe it away to dismiss it.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are messages from apps that reach your iPhone even when you're not using them, delivered through Apple's servers.
- Each app can send notifications independently, and you control which apps are allowed to send them and how they appear.
- Notifications can show as banners, sounds, badge numbers on app icons, or appear only in your notification center.
- Turning off notifications for an app stops all messages from that app, but you can also customize how each app notifies you.
- Some notifications are time-sensitive (like messages from people) and can bypass your Do Not Disturb settings if you allow it.
How push notifications reach your iPhone
When an app wants to send you a notification, it doesn't contact your iPhone directly. Instead, the app sends the message to Apple's push notification service, which holds it until your iPhone connects to the internet. Once your phone is online, Apple's servers deliver the notification to your device. This system saves battery power because apps don't have to stay constantly connected to your phone.
Your iPhone receives notifications as long as it's connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. If your phone is offline, Apple's servers hold the notification for a short time. Some notifications expire and won't be delivered if your phone stays offline too long — this is why you might miss time-sensitive alerts if you're in airplane mode for hours.
The notification appears on your lock screen first, then moves to your notification center if you don't interact with it. From there you can view it later, even if the banner has disappeared.
The difference between notification styles on iPhone
Each app can send notifications in different ways, and you choose which style works best for you. A banner is a small alert that slides down from the top of your screen and disappears after a few seconds. A lock screen notification appears directly on your lock screen and stays there until you swipe it away. A badge is a red number on the app icon showing how many unread items you have.
You can also turn on sounds and haptics, which make your phone play a sound or vibrate when a notification arrives. Some apps let you choose different sounds for different types of notifications — for example, a different sound for messages versus reminders.
Critical alerts are a special type of notification that bypass your Do Not Disturb and Silent settings. Only certain apps (like Health or Home) can send these, and they're meant for urgent situations. Most regular apps cannot send critical alerts.
Which apps can send push notifications
Any app on your iPhone can request permission to send push notifications when you first install it or open it for the first time. The app shows you a prompt asking if you want to allow notifications. You can say yes, no, or ask later. If you say no, the app can ask again the next time you open it, but it won't send notifications until you change your mind.
Apps from Apple (like Mail, Messages, and Reminders) can send notifications without asking first, but you can still turn them off in Settings. Third-party apps from the App Store must ask your permission before sending any notifications.
Websites can also send push notifications if you've given them permission in Safari. These work the same way as app notifications and appear on your lock screen or notification center.
Controlling notifications from individual apps
You don't have to accept all notifications from an app. Open Settings, tap Notifications, then find the app you want to change. From there you can turn notifications off completely, or customize exactly how they appear.
You can choose whether notifications show as banners, lock screen alerts, or only in your notification center. You can turn sounds on or off, turn the badge number on or off, or allow the app to send time-sensitive notifications that bypass Do Not Disturb. Some apps let you customize notifications by type — for example, allowing notifications from direct messages but not group chats.
If you turn off notifications for an app, it stops sending them immediately. The app will no longer show badges, sounds, or alerts. You can turn them back on anytime by returning to Settings.
Why your iPhone might not be receiving notifications
If you're not seeing notifications from an app, check four things first. Open Settings and go to Notifications to make sure the app is allowed to send them — if it's toggled off, turn it back on. Second, check that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data, because notifications can't arrive offline. Third, make sure Do Not Disturb is not turned on, because it silences most notifications (though time-sensitive ones can still come through). Fourth, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on, which often fixes notification delivery problems.
If notifications still aren't arriving, the app itself might be having problems. Try closing the app completely and opening it again. If the app is very old and hasn't been updated in months, it might not work properly with your current iPhone software — check the App Store to see if an update is available.
Some apps send notifications only at certain times or under certain conditions. For example, a fitness app might only notify you during workout hours, or a news app might only send notifications if you've read articles from that topic before. Check the app's own settings to see if it has notification rules you've forgotten about.
Managing notifications when you have too many
If you're receiving too many notifications, you have several options. The fastest is to turn off notifications for the apps bothering you most — go to Settings, Notifications, find the app, and toggle notifications off. You can also change how notifications appear: switch from banners to lock screen only, or turn off sounds so they don't interrupt you.
Another option is to use Focus modes, which let you silence notifications from most apps during certain times or situations. For example, you can create a Work focus that allows notifications only from work-related apps, or a Sleep focus that silences everything after 10 p.m. When a focus is active, notifications still arrive, but they don't make sounds or light up your screen.
You can also group notifications in your notification center so they take up less space. Go to Settings, Notifications, and scroll to the bottom to choose how notifications are grouped — by app, by time, or automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get notifications from an app if I haven't opened it yet?
Yes. When you install an app, it can ask for permission to send notifications the first time you open it. If you allow it, the app can send notifications even if you never use it again. If you denied permission, the app can ask again next time you open it.
Do push notifications use my data plan?
Push notifications use very little data — usually just a few kilobytes per notification. They won't noticeably affect your monthly data usage. However, you do need an active internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) for them to arrive.
What's the difference between a banner and a lock screen notification?
A banner slides down from the top of your screen and disappears after a few seconds. A lock screen notification stays on your lock screen until you swipe it away. You can choose which style each app uses in Settings under Notifications.
Can I stop notifications without deleting the app?
Yes. Go to Settings, tap Notifications, find the app, and toggle notifications off. The app stays on your phone and works normally — it just won't send you alerts anymore. You can turn notifications back on anytime.
Why do some notifications bypass my Do Not Disturb?
Time-sensitive notifications from certain apps (like Messages or Phone calls) can bypass Do Not Disturb if you've allowed it in Settings. This is intentional — it ensures urgent messages still reach you when Do Not Disturb is on. You can turn this off for individual apps if you prefer.