Push notifications are messages that apps send to your device even when you're not using them
A push notification is a short message that appears on your phone, tablet, or computer screen without you opening an app first. The app sends it to you — you don't have to check the app to receive it. You might see a banner at the top of your screen, a badge with a number on the app icon, or a sound alert, depending on how you've set things up.
Push notifications work because apps are connected to notification servers run by your device's operating system. When something happens that the app thinks you should know about — a message from a friend, a sale on an item you watched, a reminder you set — the app tells the server to send you a message. The server then delivers it to your device, and your phone or computer displays it.
The key difference from other types of alerts is that push notifications reach you without you doing anything. You don't have to open the app, refresh a page, or check your email. The notification comes to you.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are messages sent by apps that appear on your screen without you opening the app first.
- They work through notification servers that deliver messages from apps to your device's operating system.
- You can turn push notifications on or off for individual apps in your device settings.
- Common sources include messaging apps, social media, shopping sites, news outlets, and calendar reminders.
- Notifications can display as banners, badges on app icons, sounds, or vibrations depending on your settings.
How push notifications reach your device
When you install an app and allow it to send notifications, you're giving it permission to connect to your device's notification system. On iPhone, this system is called Apple Push Notification service (APNs). On Android, it's Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) or Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). On Windows, it's Windows Push Notification Services (WNS).
The app doesn't store your phone number or email address to send you messages. Instead, it registers with the notification service and receives a unique token — a long string of characters that identifies your device. When the app's server wants to send you a notification, it sends a message to Apple, Google, or Microsoft's servers along with that token. Those servers then push the message to your device.
This system means the app company never directly contacts your device. They hand off the message to your operating system, which decides whether to show it, play a sound, or vibrate based on your settings.
Common types of push notifications you'll see
Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage send notifications when someone sends you a message. Social media apps like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) notify you about likes, comments, and follows. Shopping apps like Amazon and Target send notifications about order updates, price drops, and flash sales.
News apps like CNN, BBC News, and The New York Times send breaking news alerts. Calendar and reminder apps notify you about upcoming events or tasks. Banking apps alert you to transactions or security issues. Fitness apps remind you to move or log workouts. Delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats notify you when your order is being prepared or on its way.
Even websites can send push notifications if you've given them permission in your browser. A news site might notify you about a story, or a shopping site might remind you about items in your cart.
Where push notifications appear on your screen
On most phones and tablets, push notifications appear as a banner or alert at the top of your screen. You can usually tap it to open the app, or swipe it away to dismiss it. If you don't interact with it, it disappears after a few seconds.
Notifications also create badges — small red circles with numbers — on app icons on your home screen. These show how many unread messages or alerts you have. A messaging app might show a badge with "3" to tell you that you have three unread messages.
On your lock screen (the screen you see before you unlock your phone), notifications often appear as a list. You can see them without unlocking your device. Some notifications also trigger sounds or vibrations to get your attention immediately.
How to control which apps can send you notifications
You control push notifications through your device's settings, not through the apps themselves. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Notifications, and you'll see a list of every app that has permission to send you notifications. Tap any app to see its notification settings.
For each app, you can turn notifications completely off, or you can customize them. You can choose whether notifications appear as banners, badges, or sounds. You can silence notifications during certain hours using Do Not Disturb. You can choose whether the app can show notifications on your lock screen or in your notification center.
On Android, the process is similar. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Notifications. You'll see a list of apps and their notification permissions. Tap any app to adjust its settings. You can turn notifications off entirely, or customize how they appear.
On Windows computers, go to Settings, then System, then Notifications. You can turn notifications off for individual apps or adjust how they appear. On Mac, go to System Settings, then Notifications, and customize each app's settings there.
The difference between push notifications and other alerts
Push notifications are different from email notifications, which arrive in your email inbox. Email is slower — it can take minutes or hours to arrive. Push notifications are nearly instant because they use a direct connection between the app and your device.
Push notifications are also different from in-app notifications, which only appear when you're actively using the app. A push notification reaches you whether you're using the app or doing something else entirely.
SMS text messages are another type of alert, but they come through your phone's messaging system, not through an app. They cost money to send (which is why companies use push notifications instead), and they're not tied to a specific app.
Why apps use push notifications instead of other methods
Apps use push notifications because they're fast, cheap, and reliable. Sending a push notification costs almost nothing compared to sending an SMS text message. A push notification reaches your device in seconds, while an email might take minutes.
Push notifications also let apps stay connected to you without draining your battery. The app doesn't have to constantly check its servers to see if there's something new. Instead, the servers push information to you when it's actually available.
From a business perspective, push notifications are also more likely to get your attention than email. A banner on your screen is harder to ignore than a message buried in your inbox. This is why companies send so many of them — and why you might want to turn off notifications from apps you don't use often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do push notifications use data or battery?
Push notifications use very little data — usually just a few kilobytes per notification. They do use some battery power, but the amount is minimal because your device isn't constantly checking for updates. If you notice your battery draining quickly, push notifications are rarely the cause. Turning off notifications from apps you don't use often can help, but the real battery drain usually comes from apps running in the background or using your location.
Can I get push notifications if I don't have the app installed?
No. You need to have the app installed and have given it permission to send notifications. However, some websites can send push notifications through your web browser if you've given them permission. These work similarly to app notifications but only appear when your browser is running.
What does a badge number mean on an app icon?
A badge is a small red circle with a number on an app icon. The number usually represents how many unread messages, alerts, or items you have in that app. For example, a messaging app might show "5" to tell you that you have five unread messages. Opening the app and reading the messages usually clears the badge.
Why do some notifications disappear quickly while others stay?
This depends on how the app configured the notification and your device settings. Some notifications are set to disappear after a few seconds, while others stay until you dismiss them. You can usually customize this in your notification settings for each app. Notifications on your lock screen often stay longer than notifications that appear while you're using your phone.
Can I get push notifications on my computer?
Yes. Windows computers and Macs can receive push notifications from apps and websites. On Windows, apps from the Microsoft Store can send notifications. On Mac, apps from the App Store can send notifications. Web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari can also deliver push notifications from websites if you've given them permission.