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Settingly

Notifications and Focus

Allow Notifications

Most people call this which apps are allowed to interrupt you.

Each app has its own notification switch, plus separate control over the Lock Screen, banners, notification centre, sounds and badges.

Available

This setting is present on your iPhone.

  • We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.

Where to find it - iOS 12 and later

  1. Settings
  2. Notifications
  3. App name
  4. Allow Notifications

What it does

Turning an app off entirely silences it. You can also keep notifications but remove the sound, or keep them in Notification Centre without banners, which is the useful middle ground.

What changes

When it is on

The app can deliver alerts in the styles you allow.

When it is off

The app is silent. Content is still there when you open it.

Should you turn it on?

Good reasons to turn it on

  • Messages, calendar and calls genuinely matter.

Good reasons to turn it off

  • Most apps ask for notifications to pull you back in, not to help you.
  • Removing sounds while keeping banners cuts most of the disruption.
  • Fewer wakes means better battery life.

Battery

Helps

Privacy

No real change

Performance

No real change

Cellular data

No real change

Storage

No real change

Out of the box: Each app must ask. iOS 15 and later can hold new requests for review.

Questions people actually ask

How do I stop an app sending notifications?
Settings, then Notifications, choose the app, and turn off Allow Notifications.
Can I keep notifications but stop the sound?
Yes. Open the app under Notifications and turn off Sounds, or use Deliver Quietly.

If it is not working

  • Deliver Quietly sends alerts to Notification Centre with no sound or banner.
  • Notification Summary collects low priority alerts and delivers them at set times.
  • An app that shows nothing may be blocked by a Focus rather than by this setting.

Related settings