How do I turn notifications on for an app?

To turn on notifications for an app on your Samsung phone, go to Settings, tap Notifications, then tap App notifications and find the app you want. Tap it and toggle notifications on. You can do this for any app installed on your device, whether it came pre-installed or you downloaded it yourself.

This works across Samsung Galaxy smartphones running Android with One UI, which is the software Samsung uses on its phones and tablets. The steps are almost identical regardless of which Galaxy model you own.

Below, we answer the most common follow-up questions people have about managing Android notifications on Samsung devices.

Where do you go to turn on app notifications on a Samsung phone?

On a Samsung phone, open the Settings app, scroll down and tap Notifications, then select App notifications. You will see a full list of every app on your phone. Tap any app and use the toggle at the top to turn its notifications on or off. Changes take effect immediately.

There is also a quicker route if you already know which app you want to adjust. Press and hold the app's icon on your home screen, tap App info, then select Notifications. This takes you straight to that app's notification settings without having to scroll through the full list.

A third option works well if a notification from that app has appeared recently. Pull down your notification shade, press and hold the notification itself, and a shortcut will appear letting you manage that app's notification settings on the spot.

Why are my app notifications still not showing up after turning them on?

If you have turned on notifications for an app but they are still not appearing, the most likely cause is that a separate setting is blocking them. Samsung phones have several layers of notification controls, and one of them being switched off can prevent alerts from showing even when the main toggle is on.

Here are the most common reasons notifications do not appear after enabling them:

• Do Not Disturb is active. When Do Not Disturb is on, most notifications are silenced. Swipe down from the top of your screen and check whether the Do Not Disturb icon is highlighted. Turn it off and test again.
• The app's notification categories are turned off. Inside an app's notification settings, there are often sub-categories such as “Messages,” “Promotions,” or “Alerts.” Each one has its own toggle. If the main switch is on but all categories are off, nothing will come through.
• Battery optimization is restricting the app. Samsung's battery-saving features can stop apps from running in the background, which prevents notifications from arriving. Go to Settings, tap Battery, then Background usage limits, and make sure the app is not set to “Sleeping” or “Deep sleeping.”
• The app itself needs a permission update. Some apps require you to grant notification permission inside the app as well, not just through Settings. Open the app and check its in-app settings or notification preferences.

If none of these fix the problem, try restarting your phone. A simple restart clears temporary glitches that can interfere with Android notifications.

What's the difference between allowing notifications and allowing all notifications?

Allowing notifications means the app can send you alerts, but only through the specific notification categories that are individually switched on. Allowing all notifications means every category that app supports is turned on at once, so you receive every type of alert it can send without having to enable them one by one.

When you go into an app's notification settings on a Samsung phone, you will often see a main toggle at the top labeled something like “Allow notifications,” followed by a list of sub-categories underneath. Each category represents a different type of alert that app can send. For example, a shopping app might have separate categories for order updates, promotional offers, and delivery alerts.

Turning on the main toggle without checking the categories below means you are allowing notifications in principle, but only the categories that were already active will actually send you alerts. If you want everything the app has to offer, you need to make sure each individual category is also switched on, or use the “Allow all notifications” option if it appears.

For most people, the smarter approach is to turn on the main toggle and then selectively enable only the categories that are useful to you. That way you get the alerts that matter without being bombarded by ones that do not.

How do you turn on notifications for just one specific app?

To turn on notifications for one specific app on your Samsung phone, press and hold the app's icon, tap App info, then tap Notifications and switch the main toggle on. This changes the settings for that single app only and does not affect any other apps on your device.

This is the most targeted way to manage Android notifications because you go directly to that app without touching anything else. It is especially useful when you have previously turned off notifications for an app and want to re-enable them, or when you install a new app and want to make sure it can actually reach you.

Once you are inside the app's notification settings, take a moment to review any sub-categories listed below the main toggle. Turning on only the categories relevant to you keeps your notification shade clean and means you only see alerts that are genuinely useful.

Should you turn on notifications for every app?

No, you should not turn on notifications for every app. Allowing all apps to send notifications leads to a cluttered notification shade, frequent interruptions, and can make it harder to notice the alerts that actually matter to you. A selective approach works much better for most people.

A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself one question before enabling notifications for any app: Do I need to know about this immediately? Examples that pass that test include messaging apps, phone calls, banking alerts, and navigation. Examples that rarely pass it include games, shopping promotions, and social media feeds you check on your own schedule.

Here is a simple way to decide which apps deserve notifications:

1. Turn on notifications for apps that send time-sensitive information, such as messages, calls, payment confirmations, and calendar reminders.
2. Turn off notifications for apps that are trying to pull you back in rather than inform you, such as games asking you to return, or shopping apps promoting sales.
3. Review periodically. Every few months, go to Settings, then Notifications, and scroll through the list. You may find apps sending alerts you had forgotten about.

Keeping your Android notifications tidy has a real benefit beyond reducing annoyance. When fewer apps are competing for your attention, you are much less likely to miss something that genuinely needs a response.

How SamMobile helps you get more from your Samsung phone

Getting to grips with settings like notifications is just one part of making the most of your Samsung device. We cover everything from practical how-to guides to the latest Samsung news, so you always have a reliable place to turn when you have a question about your phone, tablet, or any other Samsung product.

Here is what you can find on SamMobile:

• Plain-language guides that walk you through Samsung settings step by step
• Up-to-date Samsung news covering software updates, new features, and One UI changes that affect your device
• Honest advice on which Samsung model suits your needs and budget
• Tips for getting more battery life, better photos, and a smoother experience from your current phone

If you have a question we have not answered, or there is a topic you would like us to cover, feel free to get in touch with us. We are here to help you feel confident and in control of your Samsung device.