How to Stop Unwanted iPhone Notifications
Take Back Control of Your Phone
Picture this: You’re enjoying a peaceful evening—reading a book, spending time with family, maybe just relaxing with a cup of tea—when your iPhone buzzes. You check, expecting something important, but it’s just an app reminding you to play a game or shop a sale. Again. And again.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The average smartphone user receives over 46 push notifications a day, and most of them aren’t necessary. Many users report feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or even anxious because of the constant interruptions.
But the good news? You can fix it. This guide will show you how to stop unwanted notifications and customize your iPhone to only alert you when it actually matters.
Whether you’re just looking to silence one annoying app or overhaul your notification settings completely, TechPals is here to help.
Quick Summary: How to Stop iPhone Notifications
The fastest ways to reduce unwanted alerts:
Turn Off Notifications: Disable alerts from specific apps entirely
Use Focus Mode: Silence all notifications during specific times or activities
Schedule a Notification Summary: Batch non-urgent notifications into one tidy delivery
Want support from a real person? Head to techpals.org — we’re available 24/7 to help with issues just like this.
Step-by-Step: How to Stop Unwanted Notifications
1. Turn Off Notifications for Specific Apps
If you know which app is bothering you—maybe a news app, a game, or something you barely use—you can stop notifications from that app completely.
Here’s how:
Open the Settings app
Scroll down and tap Notifications
Tap the name of the app
Toggle Allow Notifications to off (it will turn gray)
You won’t get any more pop-ups, sounds, or lock screen messages from that app.
Tip: If you're not sure which app is sending unwanted alerts, wait until the next one arrives and check which app it came from.
2. Customize Notifications: Less Disruption, More Control
For apps you want to keep using—but with fewer interruptions—you can fine-tune how they alert you.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Notifications
Tap the app you want to adjust
Choose where notifications appear:
Lock Screen
Notification Center
Banners (appear at the top of your screen)
Turn off Sounds or Badges (those red dots on app icons) if they aren’t helpful
You can also change the Alert Style and whether previews are shown or hidden.
Bonus Tip: If an app keeps popping up during meetings or family time, you can restrict notifications only during certain hours. Keep reading for how to do that.
Still stuck? Our team at techpals.org is happy to walk you through it.
3. Use Focus Mode to Silence Notifications
Sometimes, the goal isn’t to stop all notifications forever—it’s to pause them when you’re doing something important.
That’s where Focus Mode comes in.
How to set it up:
Open Settings > Focus
Choose Do Not Disturb or tap the + to create a new mode (like “Work” or “Reading”)
Decide which people and apps can still reach you
Schedule it for specific times or enable it manually
You can even link Focus Mode to your calendar or location—so it turns on automatically when you arrive at work or start a workout.
Common Focus Modes:
Do Not Disturb: Silences everything
Sleep: Reduces alerts at bedtime
Personal: Limits work apps during downtime
Work: Silences distractions while you’re focused
TechPals can help you build the perfect custom Focus Mode. Just visit techpals.org to get started.
4. Group Notifications with Scheduled Summary
What if you don’t want to miss updates—but also don’t want them in real time?
The Scheduled Summary feature is the solution. It gathers low-priority notifications and delivers them at a time you choose.
Here’s how to enable it:
Open Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary
Turn it on
Select the apps to include (social media, shopping, games, etc.)
Set the times you want summaries (e.g., 8am and 8pm)
Your phone will still collect those notifications, but it won’t buzz every time one comes in. Instead, they’ll appear together at your chosen times.
5. Remove Apps You Don’t Use
Sometimes the easiest way to reduce notifications is to get rid of the app completely.
To delete an app:
Press and hold the app icon
Tap Remove App
Select Delete App
This is especially helpful for games or services you downloaded once and forgot about. Removing them stops the alerts—and frees up storage space.
Not sure which apps to delete? Visit techpals.org and we’ll help you audit your device.
Why It Matters: The Cost of Notification Overload
Notifications seem harmless, but research shows they affect your brain more than you think.
A Deloitte study found 40% of users feel overwhelmed by constant notifications
University of California researchers discovered that frequent interruptions can reduce productivity by 40%
Too many alerts have been linked to increased stress and sleep problems
Managing your notifications doesn’t just declutter your screen—it improves your focus, peace of mind, and digital well-being.
Bonus Tips for Managing iPhone Notifications
Review Notification Settings Regularly
Apps sometimes reset their settings after updates. It’s a good idea to review your notifications every few months—especially after major iOS updates.
Use Notification Previews Strategically
Go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews. You can choose:
Always
When Unlocked (recommended)
Never
This is especially helpful for hiding sensitive information from your lock screen.
Know When to Use Airplane Mode
While not a long-term solution, Airplane Mode can quickly silence everything if you need complete quiet. Just swipe down from the top-right and tap the airplane icon.
What If You’re Still Getting Notifications?
If you’ve turned off app notifications but still hear sounds or vibrations:
Check if the app is sending calendar alerts, reminders, or marketing messages through another system (like email or text)
Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and review notification sounds
Restart your phone—sometimes changes don’t take effect until you do
Still having trouble? We’re here to help. TechPals offers real-time tech support, no matter your skill level. Visit techpals.org to get started.
Related Questions People Ask
How do I stop calendar notifications on my iPhone?
Can I mute all notifications except for calls?
What’s the difference between Focus Mode and Do Not Disturb?
How can I stop game apps from sending reminders?
Why do some apps still send alerts even after I turned them off?
Find answers to all of these and more at techpals.org
Final Thoughts: A Quieter, More Focused Life
Your iPhone should serve you—not the other way around. By turning off unnecessary notifications, customizing settings, and using tools like Focus Mode and Scheduled Summary, you can make your phone a calmer, more helpful companion.
Take 10 minutes today to follow the steps above. You’ll thank yourself tomorrow.
Need help along the way? The team at TechPals is ready to assist, 24/7. Visit techpals.org and take control of your tech experience.