Where to find push notification settings on your iPhone
Push notifications on iPhone are controlled through the Settings app, not through individual apps themselves. Open Settings, tap Notifications, and you'll see a list of every app installed on your phone. Each app has its own notification settings — you turn them on or off one app at a time.
The reason notifications work this way is that iOS requires your permission before any app can send you alerts. Apple doesn't let apps turn on notifications without asking you first. When you install an app for the first time, it usually asks permission to send notifications right away. If you said no then, or if you want to change your mind later, the Notifications settings page is where you do it.
Key Takeaways
- Push notifications are managed in Settings > Notifications, where you can turn them on or off for each app individually.
- When you first install an app, it asks permission to send notifications — you can change that decision anytime in Settings.
- Turning on notifications for an app does not mean you'll get alerts for everything; most apps let you choose which types of notifications you want.
- If an app doesn't appear in your Notifications list, it either doesn't support notifications or you need to update it.
- Notifications require an internet connection or cellular service, but the alert itself appears even if your phone is locked or in use.
Step-by-step: turning on notifications for a specific app
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Notifications — it's usually near the top of the list. You'll see every app that can send notifications, listed alphabetically.
Find the app you want to receive notifications from and tap its name. At the top of that app's settings page, you'll see a toggle labeled "Allow Notifications." Tap it to turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it's active.
Once you've turned on Allow Notifications, you'll see additional options appear below it. These let you choose how the app alerts you: as a banner at the top of your screen, as a badge (a red number on the app icon), as a sound, or as a dot on the app icon. You can turn any of these on or off depending on what you prefer.
The difference between notification types
Banners are the most common. They appear at the top of your screen for a few seconds, then disappear. You can still use your phone while a banner is showing. If you tap the banner, it opens the app.
Badges are the small red circles with numbers on app icons — they show you how many unread notifications you have. A badge doesn't make any sound or alert; it just sits on the icon until you open the app or clear the notification.
Sounds and vibrations play when a notification arrives. If you turn this off, you'll still see the banner or badge, but your phone won't make noise or vibrate. This is useful for apps you want to check on your own schedule without being interrupted.
Critical alerts are a special type that bypass Do Not Disturb and always make sound, even if your phone is silent. Very few apps have access to this — mostly health and emergency apps. You won't see this option for most apps.
What to do if an app isn't in your Notifications list
If you don't see an app in Settings > Notifications, it either doesn't support push notifications or it's outdated. Some older apps were built before iOS required notification permission, so they may not appear in the list at all.
First, check the App Store to see if there's an update available. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down to "Available Updates," and look for the app. If an update exists, tap Update. After updating, go back to Settings > Notifications and the app should appear.
If the app still doesn't show up after updating, it simply doesn't have notification features. You can still use the app normally — you just won't receive alerts from it.
Controlling notifications without turning them off completely
You don't have to choose between getting all notifications or none. Most apps let you customize which notifications you receive. For example, a messaging app might let you turn on notifications for direct messages but turn off group chat notifications.
These detailed controls are usually inside the app itself, not in Settings. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences (often a gear icon), and find the Notifications section. The options vary by app — some let you choose notification types, others let you set quiet hours, and some let you mute specific conversations or channels.
If you want to silence notifications temporarily without changing your settings, use Do Not Disturb. Swipe down from the top right of your screen to open Control Center, tap the moon icon to turn on Do Not Disturb, and all notifications will be silent until you turn it off. Notifications still arrive — they just don't make sound or vibrate.
Why notifications might not be working even when turned on
If you've turned on notifications but aren't receiving them, check a few things. First, make sure your iPhone has an internet connection or cellular service — notifications need one to arrive. If you're on Wi-Fi, check that you're actually connected by opening a web browser.
Second, check that the app itself hasn't been force-closed. If an app crashes or you force-close it, it may not receive notifications until you open it again. Open the app once to let it run in the background.
Third, check your iPhone's overall notification settings. Go to Settings > Notifications and scroll to the very top. Make sure "Show Previews" isn't set to "Never" — if it is, notifications will arrive but you won't see them. Also check that you haven't accidentally turned off notifications for the entire Notifications category.
If notifications still aren't arriving, try restarting your iPhone. Hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, swipe to turn it off, wait a few seconds, then hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo.
Managing notification privacy and data
When you allow an app to send notifications, you're not giving it access to your personal data — notifications are one-way messages from the app's servers to your phone. The app can't read your contacts, photos, or location just because it can send you alerts.
However, some apps use notifications to track when you open them or how you respond. If you're concerned about privacy, check the app's privacy policy in the App Store. Open the App Store, search for the app, scroll down to "Privacy," and tap "See Details." This shows what data the app collects and how it uses it.
You can also limit notification data by turning off "Show Previews" for sensitive apps. Go to Settings > Notifications, tap the app, and change "Show Previews" to "When Unlocked" or "Never." This hides the notification content until you unlock your phone, so the message doesn't appear on your lock screen where others might see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on notifications for some apps but not others?
Yes. Each app has its own notification setting in Settings > Notifications. You can turn notifications on for some apps and off for others. You can also customize how each app notifies you — one app might use banners while another uses only badges.
What happens if I say no when an app first asks for notification permission?
The app won't send you notifications. You can change your mind anytime by going to Settings > Notifications, finding the app, and turning on "Allow Notifications." The app won't ask again — it remembers your choice.
Do I need notifications turned on to use an app?
No. Turning off notifications doesn't affect how the app works. You can still open the app and use all its features normally. You just won't receive alerts when something happens in the app.
Why do some notifications appear on my lock screen and others don't?
It depends on the app's notification settings. Go to Settings > Notifications, tap the app, and look at "Show Previews." If it's set to "When Unlocked," you'll only see the notification content after you unlock your phone. If it's set to "Always," you'll see it on the lock screen.
Can I get notifications from an app if my phone is turned off?
No. Your phone needs to be on and connected to the internet or cellular service to receive notifications. Once your phone is back on and connected, any notifications that arrived while it was off will appear.