Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Image Point Fr

Being overwhelmed by app notifications? Here's what you can do...

All apps want to alert you to new updates, but not all of them are important.

4.05pm

APPS ARE GREAT, but they do have a habit of overwhelming you with push notifications, which isn’t helpful if you’re waiting for a text or email and are interrupted by a notice to play Clash of Clans instead.

This is the case with games and other freemium apps that want you to open them daily (if not more). You can silence them completely or reduce the ways in which they can appear, depending on how much importance you place on them, and it’s simple to do.

When you install an app, notifications are automatically switched on but here’s how you can check which ones are on.

iPhone/iPad
How to access it:
Settings > Notifications

iOS allows you a good range of customisation when it comes to alerts and is easier to filter through since active apps are placed at the top of the list.

As well as controlling the number of notifications you see, you can choose the alert style as well, giving important notifications (like reminders for example) an alert style when unlocked.

iPhone notifications iPhone iPhone

Android
How to access it: Settings > Sound & Notification > App Notifications

While there are fewer options available on Android compared to iOS, they’re a little bit smarter.

Limiting it to three main options: block (no notifications), priority (places them at the top of the list) and sensitive (hides private content), it’s easier to figure out which one is right for each app.

The only problem is that apps are displayed in alphabetical order so it’ll take a bit longer to filter through them properly.

Alternatively, you could use a third-party app like Smart Notifications to help streamline notifications.

Andorid notifications Android Android

Windows Phone
How to access it:
Settings > Notifications & Actions

Finding a middle ground between iOS and Android, Windows Phone allows you to modify four things: whether it appears in the action centre, whether banner alerts appear, what sound it makes and whether it vibrates or not. Straightforward and to the point.

WP notifications Windows Phone Windows Phone

Read: Will large queues for Apple products be a thing of the past? >

Read: This battery only needs one minute to charge completely >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
8 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frederick Constant
    Favourite Frederick Constant
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 2:20 PM

    Best solution for notifications: turn off your phone. The number of people who are zombified walking around staring blindly into their phones is staggering. What a society of morons.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Walsh
    Favourite Shane Walsh
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 4:42 PM

    I just walk through them if they are in Zombie mode.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute seamus mcdermott
    Favourite seamus mcdermott
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 4:37 PM

    I keep my phone in a glass of water by my bed at night. Never had this problem.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute potty o shea
    Favourite potty o shea
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 1:06 PM

    Mind the Gap!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute winding_down
    Favourite winding_down
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 1:36 PM

    Why do Irish Rail now use the same London Tube “Mind the Gaap between the Train and the Plattfowm” voice at DART stations?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 6:38 PM

    Gaps are pretty much interchangeable around the world.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MrsWoman
    Favourite MrsWoman
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 6:26 PM

    For the life of me I cannot find this option in settings for Android.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
    Favourite Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
    Report
    Apr 8th 2015, 12:59 PM

    How to have gaps in your apps!!!!

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds