Where to find push notification settings
Push notifications are messages that pop up on your device even when you are not using an app. To turn them on, you need to visit your device's settings — not the app itself. The exact location depends on whether you use an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac.
Most people think they control notifications inside the app, but that is backwards. The app can request permission, but your device has the final say. If you denied permission the first time an app asked, you have to go back into settings to change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Push notification settings live in your device settings, not inside individual apps, though some apps let you customize which types of messages you receive.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and find the app name; on Android, go to Settings > Apps > Notifications or Settings > Notifications > App Notifications depending on your phone maker.
- On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications; on Mac, go to System Settings > Notifications.
- If an app never asked for permission when you first opened it, reinstalling the app usually triggers the permission request again.
- Turning on notifications at the device level does not may provide you will see them — the app itself must also be set to send them, which is usually the default.
Turning on notifications for iPhone
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Notifications. You will see a list of every app installed on your phone. Find the app you want notifications from and tap its name.
Look for the toggle next to "Allow Notifications" and make sure it is switched on (it will be green or blue). Below that, you can choose how notifications appear — as a banner at the top, as a list in your notification center, or as a badge on the app icon. Most people leave this on the default setting, which is usually "Banner".
If the app does not appear in the Notifications list at all, it means the app has never asked for permission. Close Settings, open the app, and look for a prompt asking to allow notifications. If you see one, tap Allow. If you do not see a prompt, try deleting and reinstalling the app from the App Store.
Turning on notifications for Android
The exact path depends on your phone maker — Samsung, Google Pixel, and others arrange settings slightly differently. Start by opening Settings and searching for "notifications" using the search bar at the top. This usually takes you to the right place regardless of your phone brand.
Look for "App Notifications" or "Notification Settings." You will see a list of installed apps. Find the app you want and tap it. Toggle on "Show Notifications" or "Allow Notifications" — the exact wording varies. Some phones also let you choose the notification sound and whether notifications appear on your lock screen.
If you cannot find the app in the list, it may not have requested permission yet. Open the app directly and look for a prompt. If you dismissed it before, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app to see the permission request again.
Turning on notifications for Windows
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then click Notifications. You will see a list of apps with notification permission.
Scroll down to find the app you want notifications from. Click its name to expand the options. Toggle on "Notifications" at the top. You can also choose whether notifications appear on your lock screen and whether they make a sound.
If the app does not appear in the list, it has not requested permission yet. Open the app and look for a notification permission prompt. Some apps do not send notifications by default even if you allow them — check the app's own settings to make sure notifications are turned on there as well.
Turning on notifications for Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Notifications in the sidebar. You will see a list of every app on your Mac that can send notifications.
Find the app you want and click it. Make sure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on. Below that, you can choose whether notifications appear as banners or alerts, and whether they show in your notification center. Leave these on their default settings unless you have a specific reason to change them.
If the app is not in the list, it has not requested permission. Open the app and look for a notification permission prompt. You may need to restart the app or your Mac for the permission request to appear.
What to do if notifications still are not showing up
Even after you turn on notifications in your device settings, you might not see them. The app itself often has a separate notifications setting that also needs to be on. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for a Notifications section. Make sure notifications are enabled there too.
Check whether the app is muted. On iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and make sure the mute switch is off. On Android, check your volume settings — some phones have a separate notification volume that can be turned down. On Windows and Mac, make sure your device volume is not muted.
If notifications are on everywhere but still not arriving, the app itself may have a problem. Try closing the app completely and opening it again. If that does not work, restart your device. As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the app.
Why you might want to turn notifications off for some apps
Turning on notifications for every app can be overwhelming. You do not have to allow notifications for everything. Go back into your device settings and turn off notifications for apps that distract you or send too many messages.
You can also customize notifications per app — some devices let you silence notifications during certain hours, or allow only certain types of messages through. For example, you might allow email notifications but turn off promotional messages. Check the app's own settings to see what options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between allowing notifications in settings and allowing them in the app?
Your device settings control whether the app is allowed to send notifications at all. The app's own settings control which types of messages it sends. Both need to be on for you to see notifications. Think of it like a two-step gate: your device is the first gate, and the app is the second.
If I denied notifications the first time an app asked, can I turn them back on?
Yes. Go to your device settings, find the app in the notifications list, and toggle notifications back on. You do not need to reinstall the app unless you want to see the original permission prompt again.
Why does an app not appear in my notifications list?
The app has not requested permission yet. Open the app and look for a prompt asking to allow notifications. If you do not see one, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app — this usually triggers the permission request again.
Can I get notifications from an app without allowing notifications for other apps?
Yes. You control notifications separately for each app. Turn on notifications only for the apps you want them from and leave the rest off. You can change this anytime in your device settings.
Do I need to restart my device after turning on notifications?
Usually not. Changes take effect immediately. If notifications still are not showing up after you turn them on, try closing and reopening the app, or restarting your device as a last step.