Where to find push notification settings
Push notifications are turned on or off in your device's settings, not in individual apps. The exact location depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Mac, or Windows computer. On most devices, you'll find notification controls in a settings menu labeled "Notifications" or "Apps & Notifications." The steps below walk you through each device type.
Before you start, know that turning on push notifications at the device level doesn't automatically turn them on for every app. You'll usually need to enable notifications twice: once in your device settings, and once inside each app you want to hear from. Some apps won't send you notifications until you've done both.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are controlled in your device settings, not in the apps themselves, though most apps require you to enable them in both places.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and turn on "Allow Notifications" for each app you want to hear from.
- On Android, open Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications and toggle on the apps that should send you alerts.
- On Mac and Windows, notification settings are in System Settings or System Preferences under Notifications, and you can control which apps are allowed to send them.
- If notifications still don't appear after enabling them in settings, check inside the app itself for a separate notification toggle.
Enabling notifications on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap "Notifications." You'll see a list of all apps installed on your phone. Tap the name of any app you want to receive notifications from.
On the app's notification screen, make sure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on (it will be green). Below that, you can choose how notifications appear: as a banner at the top of your screen, as a list in your notification center, or as a badge on the app icon. You can also choose the sound and whether the notification locks your screen. Repeat this for each app you want to hear from.
If an app doesn't appear in the Notifications list, it either doesn't support notifications or you haven't opened it yet. Open the app once, then return to Settings > Notifications and it should appear.
Enabling notifications on Android
Open Settings on your Android phone. Tap "Apps & Notifications" or "Apps" (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Then tap "Notifications." You'll see a toggle next to each app name. Turn the toggle on for any app you want to send you notifications.
Some Android phones let you customize notification behavior further. If you tap an app name, you may see options for the notification sound, vibration, and whether it shows on your lock screen. These options vary depending on your phone's manufacturer and Android version.
If you don't see an app in the Notifications list, open the app at least once first. Then return to Settings and it should appear. Some apps also have their own notification settings inside the app itself, so check there if notifications still aren't working after you've enabled them in Settings.
Enabling notifications on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older Macs). Click "Notifications" in the sidebar. You'll see a list of all apps on your Mac.
Click any app name to see its notification options. Make sure "Allow notifications" is checked. You can then choose whether notifications appear as a banner (which disappears after a few seconds) or an alert (which stays until you dismiss it). You can also turn off sound and badges if you prefer silent notifications.
Some apps don't appear in the Notifications list because they don't support notifications. If an app you use frequently isn't listed, it may not have this feature built in.
Enabling notifications on Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click "System" in the left sidebar, then click "Notifications." You'll see a list of apps that can send notifications.
Find the app you want to hear from and toggle it on. You can also scroll down to see options for notification sounds, banners, and whether notifications appear on your lock screen. Some apps have additional notification settings inside the app itself, so check there if you're not seeing notifications after enabling them in Windows Settings.
What to do if notifications still aren't working
If you've enabled notifications in your device settings but still aren't seeing them, the problem is usually inside the app itself. Open the app and look for a Settings or Preferences menu (often a gear icon). Search for "Notifications" and make sure notifications are turned on there as well.
Check whether the app is allowed to send notifications while your device is locked or in Do Not Disturb mode. On iPhone, go to Settings > Focus and make sure the app isn't silenced by your current Focus setting. On Android, check Settings > Do Not Disturb to see if notifications are blocked during certain hours. On Mac and Windows, check whether Do Not Disturb is enabled in your notification settings.
If notifications are on everywhere and still not appearing, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the app. Sometimes a fresh install fixes notification problems that settings alone cannot solve.
Understanding notification permission requests
When you first open many apps, you'll see a popup asking "Allow [App Name] to send you notifications?" This is a separate permission from the device settings described above. You must tap "Allow" on this popup for the app to send notifications, even if you've already enabled notifications in your device settings.
If you accidentally tapped "Don't Allow," you can fix it by going back to your device's notification settings for that app and turning notifications on there. The app won't ask again, but enabling it in settings will restore notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I not getting notifications even though I turned them on?
The most common reason is that you've enabled notifications in your device settings but not inside the app itself. Open the app, find its Settings or Preferences menu, and look for a Notifications toggle. You may also have Do Not Disturb enabled, which silences notifications on most devices. Check your device's Do Not Disturb settings and turn it off if you want to hear notifications.
Can I turn on notifications for some apps but not others?
Yes. You can enable notifications for specific apps while leaving others off. Go to your device's notification settings, find each app, and toggle notifications on or off individually. This gives you control over which apps can interrupt you.
What's the difference between a banner and an alert notification?
A banner appears at the top of your screen for a few seconds and then disappears automatically. An alert stays on your screen until you dismiss it by tapping or clicking. Banners are less intrusive; alerts make sure you see the notification. You can choose which style you prefer in your device's notification settings.
Will turning on notifications drain my battery?
Push notifications use very little battery power. The main battery drain comes from apps running in the background, not from receiving notifications. Turning on notifications will not noticeably affect your device's battery life.
Can I get notifications on my lock screen?
Yes, on most devices. In your notification settings, look for an option that says "Show on Lock Screen" or "Lock Screen." Toggle this on for any app where you want to see notifications even when your device is locked. You can control this setting separately for each app.