Summary
Instructions for reviewing and customizing app notification settings on a Bowdoin-issued MacBook and iPad. Covers turning notifications on or off per app, adjusting alert styles, disabling sounds and badges, and using scheduled notification summaries.
Body
Questions
- How do I turn off notifications for a specific app on my Mac?
- How do I stop an app from sending me notifications on my iPad?
- How do I change the notification sound for an app?
- How do I turn off badge counts on my Mac or iPad?
- How do I stop notifications from showing on my Lock Screen?
- How do I set up a notification summary on my Mac or iPad?
- How do I batch my notifications to arrive at set times?
- Where are the notification settings on macOS?
- How do I control which apps can interrupt me?
Environment
These instructions apply to Bowdoin-issued MacBook Pro computers running macOS Sequoia (15.x) or macOS Tahoe (26.x) and Bowdoin-issued iPads running the current version of iPadOS. The same steps work on personal Apple devices, though IT does not support personal device configuration.
Resolution
Every app on your Mac and iPad can request permission to send notifications, and most get that permission by default during setup. Reviewing those permissions puts you in control of what reaches you and when.
Review notification settings on Mac
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu or the Dock.
- Select Notifications in the sidebar. Scroll down if the option is not immediately visible.
- At the top of the Notifications pane, review the global settings:
- Show previews controls whether notification content is visible on the Lock Screen. Set this to When Unlocked to keep message previews private when you step away from your Mac.
- Allow notifications when the display is sleeping and Allow notifications when the screen is locked can each be turned off to reduce interruptions.
- Scheduled Summary collects lower-priority notifications and delivers them together at times you choose, rather than throughout the day. Click Scheduled Summary, turn it on, set one or more delivery times (for example, after your last class), and select which apps to include.
- Below the global settings, each app that has requested notification permission is listed individually. Select any app to see its options:
- Toggle Allow Notifications off to silence that app completely.
- Uncheck Play sound for notifications to keep the visual alert without the audio.
- Uncheck Badge app icon to remove the red number badge from the app icon in the Dock.
- Change the alert style between Banners (appear briefly and disappear) and Alerts (stay on screen until you dismiss them).
Note: Start by silencing social media and entertainment apps. Keep productivity tools like Mail, Calendar, and Teams enabled so you do not miss anything academic.
Review notification settings on iPad
- Open Settings on the iPad Home Screen.
- Tap Notifications.
- At the top of the screen, review global options:
- Show Previews controls whether notification text is visible on the Lock Screen. Tap it and choose When Unlocked to require Face ID or a passcode before previews appear.
- Scheduled Summary lets you batch lower-priority notifications into a digest delivered at a time you choose, rather than having them arrive throughout the day. Toggle it on, set a delivery time (for example, after your last class), and select which apps should be included in the summary.
- Below the global options, every app that has requested notification permission is listed. Tap any app to adjust its settings:
- Toggle Allow Notifications off to silence the app entirely.
- Under Alerts, uncheck Lock Screen, Notification Center, or Banners to control where the notification appears.
- Toggle Sounds off to keep the visual notification without an audible alert.
- Toggle Badges off to remove the red number from the app icon.
Note: Notification settings sync across your Apple devices when Share Across Devices is turned on in Focus settings. A change made on your iPad may also take effect on your Mac, and the reverse.
Additional Help
If you need further assistance, you have several options:
- Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
- Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
- In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
- Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Additional Resources
AI-assisted content: This article was drafted with the assistance of an AI writing tool and reviewed by Bowdoin IT staff for accuracy.