Your phone buzzes. Then it buzzes again. A banner pops up on your screen, then another. If you feel like your phone runs your life rather than the other way around, you are not alone — and the good news is that turning off unnecessary notifications takes only a few minutes.
Why So Many Apps Send Notifications
Every app you install is allowed to ask for permission to send you notifications. Many apps set everything to “on” by default, hoping you will just accept it. Shopping apps want to tell you about sales. Social media apps want to pull you back in. News apps want to grab your attention with headlines. None of this is in your interest — it is in theirs.
How to Turn Off Notifications on an iPhone
- Open Settings (the grey icon with cogs).
- Scroll down and tap Notifications.
- You will see a list of every app on your phone. Tap any app to see its notification settings.
- To silence an app completely, tap the toggle next to Allow Notifications so it turns grey.
- Or, leave notifications on but turn off Sounds and Badges (the red number dots) to reduce interruptions without missing everything.
How to Turn Off Notifications on Android
- Open Settings and tap Notifications (sometimes listed under Apps).
- Tap App notifications to see the full list.
- Tap any app and use the toggles to turn off some or all of its notifications.
- On some Android phones you can also tap and hold a notification when it appears, then choose to block all future notifications from that app straight away.
Which Notifications Are Worth Keeping?
Not all notifications are bad. The ones worth keeping are usually:
- Phone calls and text messages from real contacts
- Banking and security alerts
- Calendar reminders
- Delivery updates you are actively waiting for
The ones worth turning off are usually social media likes, daily “streaks” from apps, promotional offers, and news alerts for stories you did not ask about.
Focus Modes: A Quieter Alternative
Both iPhones and Android phones have a Focus or Do Not Disturb mode. When turned on, only the contacts and apps you choose can get through. Everything else is silenced until you switch it off. This is useful at night, during meals, or whenever you need to concentrate.
On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Centre and tap the crescent moon icon. On Android, pull down the notification shade and look for Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode.
Taking back control of your notifications is one of the easiest ways to make your phone feel less overwhelming — and it costs you nothing but five minutes.