Turn off notifications in Facebook settings
Open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to Settings & Privacy, then select Settings. Scroll down to Notifications and tap it. You will see a list of notification types — each one has a toggle you can switch off individually. This is the fastest way to silence notifications without deleting the app.
On a computer, the same path works: click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, find Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Notifications. The toggles work the same way. You can turn off all notifications at once, or pick and choose — for example, keeping messages on while turning off likes and comments.
If you only want to reduce notifications rather than eliminate them, you can also change the frequency. Some notification types let you choose between "all activity", "important only", or "off". This middle ground works well if you want to stay in touch with close friends but not hear about every interaction.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook notifications are controlled through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Notifications, where you can turn each type on or off individually.
- You can silence all notifications at once or pick specific types to keep — for example, messages only — depending on what matters to you.
- Some notification categories offer a middle option like "important only" instead of forcing you to choose between all or nothing.
- Turning off notifications in the app does not delete your account or hide your profile from others.
- Phone-level notification settings (in your device's operating system) offer a second layer of control if app settings alone are not enough.
Silence notifications by category
Facebook groups notifications separately by what triggered them. You might want messages from friends but not notifications about group posts, or vice versa. In the Notifications settings, you will see categories like Messages, Friend Requests, Comments, Likes, Tags, and Group Activity. Each has its own toggle.
Start by turning off the categories that interrupt you most. Many people find that turning off Likes and Comments alone cuts notification noise by half, while keeping Messages and Friend Requests on so they do not miss direct contact. Experiment for a week, then adjust based on what you actually missed.
Use "Do Not Disturb" for specific hours
If you want Facebook notifications during work hours but not at night, you can set quiet hours. In Settings & Privacy > Settings > Notifications, look for Quiet Hours or Mute Notifications (the exact name varies by device and app version). You can set a start time and end time — for example, 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. — and Facebook will not send notifications during that window.
This approach keeps your account active and does not change what other people see. Friends can still message you, but you will not get the notification sound or badge until quiet hours end. When you open the app, you will see all the messages that arrived while notifications were muted.
Control notifications from your phone's settings
Your phone's operating system has its own notification controls that work on top of Facebook's settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Facebook. You can turn off all notifications, allow only critical alerts, or choose whether notifications appear on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as badges on the app icon.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > Facebook > Notifications. You can toggle notifications off entirely or adjust the notification channel — for example, allowing messages but not other activity. Some Android phones also let you set a "Do Not Disturb" schedule at the system level, which silences all apps during certain hours.
Phone-level controls are useful if Facebook's in-app settings are not restrictive enough. For example, you might turn off all Facebook notifications in the app, then use your phone to allow only messages. This layered approach gives you fine control without having to check Facebook constantly.
Stop notifications from specific people or groups
You can mute notifications from individual friends or entire groups without unfriending or leaving them. On a friend's profile, tap the three dots menu and select Mute. Choose whether to mute posts, stories, or both, and for how long — usually 30 days or indefinitely. You will still be friends, but you will not see their activity in your feed or get notified about it.
For groups, open the group and tap the bell icon with a slash through it. This mutes all notifications from that group. You can still see the group and post in it, but you will not be alerted when someone comments or posts. This is useful for groups you want to stay in but do not need to monitor constantly.
Understand notification badges and red dots
Even with notifications turned off, Facebook may still show a red badge or number on the app icon — for example, a small circle with "5" on it. This badge counts unread messages or activity and appears on your phone's home screen. To remove badges, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Notifications and look for Badge Count or App Icon Badge. Toggle it off.
On some phones, you can also control badges from the phone's settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Facebook and turn off Badges. On Android, the option is usually in the app's notification channel settings. Removing badges helps if you find yourself opening the app just to clear the red dot, even when you do not want to use it.
What happens when you turn off notifications
Turning off Facebook notifications does not change anything about your account. Your profile stays visible, your friends can still message you, and you can still post and comment. The only difference is that you will not get alerts on your phone or computer. When you open the app, you will see all the activity that happened while notifications were off.
If someone sends you a direct message, you will see it the next time you open Facebook, but you will not get a notification sound or vibration. This is why many people keep Messages on while turning off other categories — it ensures they do not miss direct contact, but they avoid constant interruptions from likes and comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will people know I turned off notifications?
No. Turning off notifications is private to your phone. Other people cannot see your notification settings, and there is no way for them to know you are not getting alerts. Your profile and activity look the same to everyone else.
Can I turn off notifications for just one type of post, like video uploads?
Facebook does not let you filter by post type within a category. You can mute a specific person or group, or turn off broad categories like Comments or Likes, but you cannot say "notify me about text posts but not videos". If a particular person posts too much, muting them is usually the best option.
What if I want notifications back later?
Go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Notifications and toggle the categories back on. You can do this anytime. If you set quiet hours, you can also adjust or remove them. There is no penalty for changing your settings frequently.
Do quiet hours work if my phone is in silent mode?
Quiet hours in Facebook work independently of your phone's silent mode. If your phone is on silent, you will not hear notifications from any app. If your phone is on loud but Facebook quiet hours are active, Facebook will not send notifications. Both settings work together — whichever is more restrictive wins.
Why do I still see a notification badge after turning off notifications?
Notification badges and notification alerts are separate. You can turn off alerts (sounds and vibrations) but still see the red badge on the app icon. To remove badges, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Notifications and toggle off Badge Count or App Icon Badge.