How to Manage Notifications on iPhone and Android (Simple Guide for Seniors)

Notifications are the little messages your phone shows to get your attention. They can be helpful, but they can also become noisy and stressful (like too many shopping or social media updates).

This is one areas we recommend seniors or the people supporting them should take a look at.

We’ve outlined some tips to help you navigate what to allow, and how to change notification settings any time on both iPhone and Android.

What is a notification?

A notification is a message that pops up on your screen to tell you something.

Examples:

• A new text message

• A missed call

• A calendar reminder

• A Facebook update

• A news alert

Some are helpful. Some are distracting. You are in control.

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First decision: Should I allow notifications?

When you install a new app, your phone may ask: “Allow Notifications?”

Before pressing “Yes”, ask yourself:

When “Yes” is usually a good idea

Allow notifications if the app is important or time-sensitive, such as:

• Phone and Messages

• Calendar reminders

• Health or safety apps

• Banking apps (for security alerts)

These notifications can help you stay safe and informed.

When “No” is often a better choice

You can usually say “No” for apps that are mainly updates or advertising, such as:

• Shopping apps

• News apps

• Games

• Social media likes and suggestions

You can still use these apps - you’ll just check them when you choose. And you can change this later.

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Why too many notifications can be a problem

Too many alerts can:

• Feel overwhelming

• Interrupt your sleep

• Increase anxiety

• Drain your battery

• Make the phone feel confusing

For many people, fewer notifications = more confidence.

A simple starting rule (good for beginners)

Keep notifications ON for:

• Phone

• Messages

• Calendar

• Health or safety apps

Turn notifications OFF (or make them quiet) for:

• Shopping apps

• News alerts

• Games

• Social media (unless it’s very important to you)

Watch the above YouTube Video - Managing Notifications and Location settings.

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iPhone (Apple) – Step-by-step

Turn notifications on or off for an app

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Notifications

3. Scroll down and tap the app name

4. Turn Allow Notifications ON or OFF

   • Green = On

   • Grey = Off

Stop pop-up banners

1. Go to Settings - Notifications - tap the app

2. Turn OFF Banners

This stops pop-ups at the top of your screen.

Make notifications quieter

In the same app notification screen, you can also turn OFF:

• Sounds (no alert sound)

• Badges (red numbers on app icons)

This is useful if you still want alerts, but less stress.

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Android – Step-by-step (Samsung, Motorola, Oppo, Google, etc.)

Android phones can look slightly different depending on the brand. That’s normal.

If you don’t see the exact words below, look for:

• Apps

• Notifications

• Advanced

• More settings

• Three dots (⋮) in the corner

Turn notifications on or off for an app

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Notifications

   • If you don’t see this, tap Apps first

3. Tap App notifications

4. Tap the app name

5. Turn Allow notifications ON or OFF

Stop pop-ups or reduce noise

1. Settings

2. Notifications

3. Tap the app

4. Look for options like:

   • Pop-up notifications

   • Lock screen

   • Sound

   • Notification categories

Turn OFF what you don’t want.

What are “Notification categories”?

Some Android phones show Notification categories inside an app. This lets you control different types of alerts.

Example:
You might keep message alerts ON, but turn promotions OFF.