What push notifications are and why you might want them
Push notifications are messages that pop up on your device even when you are not using an app or website. They arrive on your phone's lock screen, your computer's taskbar, or your browser, and they let you know about new messages, updates, reminders, or activity without you having to open the app to check.
You control which apps and websites send you these messages. Some people turn them on for work email or calendar reminders so they do not miss time-sensitive information. Others turn them off for social media apps to avoid constant interruptions. The choice is yours, and you can change your settings at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are turned on or off in your device settings, not in the app itself — though some apps have their own notification controls too.
- On iPhones, go to Settings > Notifications and find the app you want; on Android phones, go to Settings > Apps and Notifications, then choose the app.
- On Windows computers, go to Settings > System > Notifications; on Mac computers, go to System Settings > Notifications.
- Your browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) has its own notification settings separate from your device settings, found in browser preferences or settings.
- If you turn notifications on but still do not see them, check that "Do Not Disturb" is off and that the app has permission to send notifications.
How to turn 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 to receive notifications from and tap its name. At the top of the screen, you will see a toggle switch next to "Allow Notifications." Tap it to turn it on — the switch will turn green. Once you do this, the app can send you notifications.
Below that toggle, you can choose how notifications appear: as a banner at the top of your screen, as a list in your notification center, or silently without sound. You can also turn on or off the badge (the red number on the app icon) and the sound. Make your choices, then go back and repeat for any other apps you want notifications from.
How to turn on notifications on an Android phone
Open the Settings app. Tap Apps and Notifications or Notifications — the exact name depends on your phone's brand and Android version. Then tap App Notifications or Notification Settings.
You will see a list of your installed apps. Find the one you want and tap it. Look for a toggle or switch labeled "Allow Notifications," "Show Notifications," or "Notifications." Tap it to turn it on. Some phones also let you choose the notification style (banner, pop-up, or silent) and the sound.
If you cannot find the app in the list, scroll down — the list is often long. If the app still does not appear, it may not support notifications, or you may need to open the app itself and look for notification settings inside it.
How to turn on notifications on Windows
Click the Start button and open Settings. Click System on the left side, then click Notifications. You will see a section called "Notifications" with a toggle at the top. Make sure it is turned on.
Below that, you will see a list of apps that can send notifications. Find the app you want and click the toggle next to its name to turn notifications on. You can also click on an app's name to see more options, such as whether to show a banner, play a sound, or display a count.
If you do not see the app in the list, it may not support notifications, or it may need to be installed from the Microsoft Store rather than from another source.
How to turn on notifications on a 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 your installed apps on the left side.
Find the app you want notifications from and click it. On the right side, you will see options. Make sure the toggle next to "Allow Notifications" is turned on. You can then choose whether notifications appear as banners, alerts, or silently, and whether to show a badge on the app icon.
Repeat this for each app you want to receive notifications from. When you are done, close System Settings.
How to turn on notifications in your web browser
Websites can also send you notifications through your browser. The first time a website asks for permission, your browser will show a prompt asking if you want to allow notifications from that site. Click Allow to turn them on.
If you missed that prompt or want to change your choice later, the steps differ by browser. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, click Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Notifications. In Firefox, click the menu button, go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and click Settings next to Notifications. In Safari on Mac, go to Safari > Settings, click Websites, then Notifications. In Edge, click the three-dot menu, go to Settings, click Privacy, Site Permissions, then Notifications.
In each browser, you will see a list of websites that have permission to send notifications. You can turn individual sites on or off, or block all notifications from all sites.
What to do if notifications are on but you are not seeing them
If you have turned on notifications but they are not appearing, check whether Do Not Disturb is on. On iPhones and Macs, this silences notifications. On iPhones, swipe down from the top-right corner and look for a moon icon — tap it to turn Do Not Disturb off. On Macs, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner and look for Focus or Do Not Disturb.
On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings and look for Do Not Disturb or a similar option. On Windows, click the notification icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner) and make sure Focus Assist is off.
You should also check that the app itself has permission to send notifications. Go back to your notification settings and make sure the toggle is actually on — sometimes it looks on but is not. If the app is brand new, restart your device, as permissions sometimes take a moment to activate after installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on notifications for some apps but not others?
Yes. Each app has its own notification setting, so you can turn notifications on for email and calendar but off for games and social media. Go to your device's notification settings, find each app, and toggle notifications on or off individually.
Will turning on notifications drain my battery?
Notifications use very little battery power. The app itself uses more power if it is constantly checking for new information in the background, but the notification alert itself — the pop-up or sound — uses almost no energy.
What is the difference between app notifications and browser notifications?
App notifications come from apps installed on your device and are controlled in your device settings. Browser notifications come from websites and are controlled in your browser settings. You can have notifications on for an app but off for websites, or vice versa.
Why does an app ask for permission to send notifications when I first open it?
Apps ask for permission because your device requires them to. This is a safety feature — it prevents apps from sending you notifications without your knowledge. You can always change your answer later in your device settings.
Can I get notifications on my smartwatch?
Yes, if your smartwatch is paired with your phone. Notifications that appear on your phone will usually also appear on your watch. Check your watch's settings to see which notifications it receives — some watches let you filter which apps send alerts to the watch itself.