Where to find Facebook notification settings

Facebook notification settings live in one place: your account menu. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.

Once you are in Settings, look for Notifications in the left sidebar on a computer, or scroll down to find it on a phone. This is where every notification rule lives — what you see, when you see it, and where it shows up.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook notification settings are in Settings and privacy > Settings > Notifications, and you can change them from a computer or phone.
  • You can turn off notifications by type (comments, friend requests, likes) or by where they appear (push notifications, email, SMS).
  • Notification preferences sync across your devices, so changing a setting on your phone changes it everywhere.
  • You can silence notifications from specific people or groups without unfriending or leaving them.
  • Facebook remembers your choices, so you do not have to reset them each time you log in.

Turning off notifications by type

Inside Notifications, you will see a list of notification types: Comments, Likes, Friend requests, Messages, Tags, Events, and others. Each one has a toggle or dropdown menu next to it. Click or tap the toggle to turn that notification type off entirely, or tap the dropdown to choose when you want to see it — for example, "Only from friends" or "Off".

If you want to keep notifications but change how often you see them, some types have a Frequency option. You might choose "All", "Most", or "Only important" to filter what actually reaches you. This is useful if you want to stay informed but do not want every single event to ping you.

Choosing where notifications appear

Facebook can send notifications to three places: as a red badge or popup on Facebook itself (called In-App), as a push notification to your phone or computer, and as an email or text message. You do not have to use all three.

In the Notifications section, look for Where you receive notifications or a similar heading. You will see options for Push notifications, Email notifications, and SMS notifications. Toggle each one off if you do not want notifications in that location. For example, you might keep push notifications on but turn off email, so you only get pinged on your phone, not your inbox.

Muting notifications from specific people or groups

You do not have to change your settings for everyone. If one person or group is sending you too many notifications, you can silence just them. Go to that person's profile or the group page, tap the three dots (more options), and look for Mute notifications or Mute. You can choose to mute for 15 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or indefinitely.

Muting is different from unfriending or leaving a group — the person or group stays in your feed and your friends list, but you will not get pinged when they post or comment. You can unmute them anytime by going back to their profile or group and toggling mute off.

Turning off notifications while you are using Facebook

If you are actively on Facebook and do not want notifications popping up while you scroll, you can pause them temporarily. On a computer, click the question mark icon in the top right, then select Pause all notifications. Choose how long you want to pause them — 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or until you turn them back on.

On a phone, this option is usually in the notification settings under Pause notifications or Do Not Disturb. When you pause notifications, Facebook will not send you any pings while you are using the app, but they will resume after the time you set.

What happens to old notification settings when Facebook updates

Facebook changes its notification system occasionally, and when it does, your old settings usually carry over. However, if you notice notifications suddenly appearing that you thought you had turned off, go back to Notifications and check — sometimes a Facebook update resets certain settings to the default.

Your notification choices sync across all your devices. If you turn off comment notifications on your phone, that setting is also off on your computer and tablet. You do not have to change the same setting multiple times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off notifications from one person without unfriending them?

Yes. Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and select Mute notifications. You will stay friends, but you will not get pinged when they post or comment. You can unmute them anytime.

What is the difference between muting and snoozing?

Muting turns off notifications from a specific person or group indefinitely (or until you unmute). Pausing notifications stops all notifications app-wide for a set time — 15 minutes to 1 hour — while you are using Facebook. They are different tools for different situations.

If I turn off email notifications, will I still see notifications on Facebook itself?

Yes. Email notifications, push notifications, and in-app notifications are separate. You can turn off email but keep push notifications on, or vice versa. Your in-app notifications (the red badge on Facebook) are controlled by the main notification toggles, not the email setting.

Do my notification settings change if I log out and back in?

No. Facebook saves your notification settings to your account, so they stay the same no matter how many times you log out and back in. Your choices are permanent until you change them again.

Why am I still getting notifications I thought I turned off?

Check three things: whether the notification type is actually toggled off (not just set to "Most"), whether you turned off the right delivery method (email vs. push), and whether a Facebook update reset your settings. Go back to Notifications and verify each toggle is in the position you want.