Badges are the red numbers on your app icons

A badge is the small red circle with a number inside it that appears on your iPhone app icons. It tells you how many unread items are waiting in that app — unread emails, text messages, missed calls, or notifications from social media. The number updates automatically when new messages arrive, and it disappears when you open the app and read those messages.

Badges sit in the top-right corner of the app icon, whether that icon is on your home screen, in a folder, or in the App Library. They are designed to catch your eye at a glance so you know something needs your attention. Some apps show a badge with just a dot instead of a number, which means something new is there but the app does not count the items.

Not every app uses badges. Some apps you install never show them, while others show them by default. You control which apps are allowed to display badges, and you can turn them off entirely for apps that distract you.

Key Takeaways

  • Badges are the red circles with numbers on app icons that show how many unread items are waiting inside that app.
  • You can turn badges off for individual apps by going to Settings, then Notifications, then selecting the app and toggling off Badge App Icon.
  • Some apps show a dot instead of a number when they have new content but do not track a specific count.
  • Turning off badges for apps like email or social media reduces visual clutter and the urge to check your phone constantly.

How to turn off badges for a single app

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Notifications. Scroll down and find the app you want to change — for example, Mail, Messages, or Instagram. Tap the app name to open its notification settings.

Look for the toggle labeled Badge App Icon. If it is turned on (the toggle is green), tap it to turn it off. The badge will disappear from that app's icon when ready, even if there are unread items inside. You can turn this toggle back on at any time if you change your mind.

Repeat this step for any other apps where you want to remove badges. Many people turn off badges for email, social media, and messaging apps because the constant number can create pressure to check the phone.

How to turn off all badges at once

If you want to remove badges from every app on your iPhone, go to Settings and tap Notifications. At the very top, you will see an option called Badge App Icon (or Badge Notifications, depending on your iOS version). Toggle this off, and badges will disappear from all apps that support them.

This is a faster way to clear the visual noise if you find badges stressful. However, it is an all-or-nothing setting — you cannot use this toggle to turn off badges for some apps while keeping them for others. If you need that level of control, you have to adjust each app individually in the method described above.

Why some apps show a dot instead of a number

Some apps, particularly Apple's own apps like Reminders or Calendar, show a small dot or filled circle instead of a number. This dot means the app has something new but does not track a specific count of unread items. For example, a calendar app might show a dot to indicate you have an upcoming event, but it does not count how many events are coming.

You control these dot badges the same way you control numbered badges — through the Badge App Icon toggle in that app's notification settings. Turning off the toggle removes both numbered badges and dots.

The difference between badges and notifications

A badge is a permanent marker on the app icon that stays there until you open the app. A notification is the alert that pops up on your screen or appears in the notification center when something new arrives. You can have notifications turned on but badges turned off, or vice versa.

For example, you might want your Mail app to send you a notification alert when an important email arrives, but you do not want a badge number sitting on the icon all day. You would turn on Notifications but turn off Badge App Icon for that app. This way you get alerted to new mail without the visual reminder staring at you from your home screen.

Why badges can feel overwhelming

Badges create what researchers call notification anxiety — the feeling that something is waiting for you and you should check it right now. A badge with a high number (like 47 unread emails) can feel like a task hanging over your head, even if those emails are not urgent. This is especially true for email and social media apps, where the count can grow faster than you can read.

Turning off badges for low-priority apps is a straightforward way to reduce that pressure. You can still open the app whenever you want to check for new messages — you just will not have a constant visual reminder that something is there. Many people find this reduces their phone checking habit significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I miss important messages if I turn off badges?

No. If you have notifications turned on for an app, you will still get an alert when something new arrives — you just will not see a number on the icon. You can also open the app anytime to check for new messages. Badges are just a visual reminder; they are not the only way to know something new has arrived.

Can I turn off badges for some apps but keep them for others?

Yes. Go to Settings, Notifications, and tap each app individually. Toggle Badge App Icon on or off for each one separately. This lets you keep badges for apps where you find them useful (like Messages) and remove them from apps where they cause stress (like Email or social media).

What if an app does not have a Badge App Icon option?

Some third-party apps do not support badges at all, so they will not have this toggle. If you do not see Badge App Icon in an app's notification settings, that app straightforward does not use badges. You can still turn off other notifications for that app if you want.

Does turning off badges affect anything else on my phone?

No. Turning off badges only removes the number from the app icon. It does not change notifications, does not delete messages, and does not affect how the app works. You can turn badges back on anytime by going back to that app's settings and toggling Badge App Icon on again.