Open System Settings > Notifications, select an app, then allow or disable notifications and choose where alerts appear, whether they make sounds, show...
Turn Allow Notifications on or off, then choose banner, alert, Lock Screen and Notification Center options.
4
Review sounds and privacy
Set sounds, badge icons, preview visibility and grouping to match the sensitivity of the app's information.
5
Check that the change worked
A safe test notification arrives with the selected banner, sound, badge, and preview behavior after the app is reopened.
6
Troubleshoot Mac app notifications
If the app is absent from settings, it never requested permission, Focus still silences it, or the app has an internal notification switch, stop broad resets and return to the last known state. Capture the exact error, versions, device or account scope, and failed step before using the linked official support channel.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
If an app is missing from Notifications, open it and complete the action that requests notification permission.
If allowed alerts remain silent, check Focus and the app's own notification settings separately.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.
