Push notifications are turned on differently depending on what device and app you're using
Push notifications are messages that pop up on your screen even when you're not actively using an app — they come from apps, websites, or services you've installed or subscribed to. The steps to turn them on depend on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac, and whether you want notifications from a specific app or from your whole device.
This guide walks you through each scenario so you can get the notifications you want without having to dig through settings. In most cases, you'll either grant permission when an app first asks, or you'll find the app in your device's notification settings and toggle it on.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications and find the app you want, then toggle Allow Notifications on.
- On Android, open Settings > Apps > Notifications and turn on notifications for each app individually.
- On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications and toggle on the types of notifications you want to receive.
- On Mac, open System Settings > Notifications and select which apps can send you notifications.
- Some apps ask for permission the first time you open them — you can say yes in that moment or change it later in your device settings.
Turning on notifications on an iPhone
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Notifications. You will see a list of all the apps installed on your phone.
Find the app you want notifications from and tap its name. At the top of the screen, toggle Allow Notifications to the on position (it will turn green). Below that, you can choose how you want to be notified — banner (a message that appears at the top), lock screen (a message that shows on your locked phone), or notification center (a list you pull down from the top). You can also choose whether the notification makes a sound and whether it shows a badge (a red number) on the app icon.
If you don't see the app in the Notifications list, it either doesn't support notifications or you haven't opened it yet. Open the app once and try again — many apps ask for permission the first time you use them.
Turning on notifications on Android
Open the Settings app. Tap Apps or Application Manager (the exact name varies by phone maker). You will see a list of all installed apps.
Find the app you want notifications from and tap it. Look for Notifications and tap it. Toggle Allow Notifications to the on position. Some phones let you choose notification channels — different notification types within the same app — so you may see multiple toggles. Turn on the ones you want.
If you can't find Notifications in the app settings, go back to the main Settings screen and look for Notifications directly. Tap it, then find your app in the list and toggle notifications on there instead. The location varies by phone maker and Android version.
Turning on notifications on Windows
Click the Start button and open Settings. Click System on the left side, then click Notifications. At the top, toggle Notifications to the on position.
Below that, you will see toggles for different types of notifications — alerts from apps, badge updates (numbers on app icons), and sounds. Turn on whichever you want. Scroll down to see a list of apps that can send you notifications. Click on any app to control its individual settings — you can turn it off completely or choose whether it shows alerts, badges, or sounds.
If an app isn't in the list, it either doesn't support notifications or you need to open it once first. Some apps ask for permission when you first use them.
Turning on notifications on 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 all installed apps.
Find the app you want notifications from and click it. Toggle Allow Notifications to the on position. Below that, you can choose whether notifications show as banners (temporary messages in the corner) or alerts (messages that stay until you close them). You can also turn on or off sounds and badges.
If you don't see an app in the list, it doesn't support notifications. Some apps ask for permission the first time you open them — if you said no, you can come back to this screen and turn them on.
What to do if an app asks for permission when you open it
Many apps show a popup the first time you use them asking whether you want to allow notifications. You can tap Allow or Don't Allow in that moment. If you said no and change your mind later, you don't have to uninstall the app — just go to your device settings using the steps above and turn notifications on for that app.
If you said yes but want to turn notifications off, use the same steps to toggle them off. You can change your mind as many times as you want, and there's no penalty for doing so.
Turning on notifications for websites
Some websites ask to send you notifications when you visit them. When you see a popup asking "Allow notifications from this site?", click Allow if you want them. If you click Block, the site won't ask again unless you change your mind in browser settings.
To manage website notifications in Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, click Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Notifications. You will see a list of websites allowed to send notifications. Click any site to turn it off, or click Add to allow a new site. In Firefox, Safari, and Edge, the process is similar but the menu names vary slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I not getting notifications even though I turned them on?
Check that notifications are turned on both for the app and for your whole device. On iPhone and Android, go to your main notification settings and make sure notifications are enabled there too. Also check that your phone's volume is not muted — on iPhone, check the mute switch on the side of the phone. On Android, press the volume button and make sure it's not set to silent.
Can I turn on notifications for just one type of message from an app?
Yes. Many apps have multiple notification channels — for example, a messaging app might have separate channels for direct messages and group chats. When you go to that app's notification settings, you can turn some channels on and others off. Not all apps offer this level of control, but most do.
What's the difference between a banner and an alert notification?
A banner appears briefly at the top of your screen and disappears on its own. An alert stays on your screen until you close it. Banners are less disruptive if you're using your phone; alerts make sure you see the message. You can usually choose which style you prefer in the app's notification settings.
Do I have to turn on notifications for every app individually?
Yes, you control each app separately. You can turn on notifications for some apps and leave them off for others. There's no single setting that turns on notifications for all apps at once.
Will turning on notifications drain my phone battery?
Notifications themselves use very little battery. The main battery drain comes from apps running in the background or using location services, which is separate from notifications. Turning on notifications won't noticeably affect your battery life.