If you’re tired of closing multiple pop-up windows before you can read online content, help is at hand! You don’t have to keep Chrome’s default notification settings. Restore some peace to your browsing experience with this handy guide. We’ll walk you through how to reduce Chrome notifications or even disable them altogether. And if you’re ready to take back control and want to help block threats and trackers too, there’s Avira Secure Browser.
Love Google Chrome but not Chrome notifications? Change your settings.
They mean well but they can become too much of a good thing: Google Chrome notifications. They were designed to keep you updated on the latest news and messages—from trending online searches to your favorite sports teams and global events. They also constantly ask you if the website or app you’re using can send you notifications. Notifications about notifications? Good grief! This extra visual clutter can become very intrusive. If you’re shouting “enough!”, we’re here to help.
Chrome does all this tapping on your digital shoulder by default, so you haven’t inadvertently switched it on. But it does mean you’ll have to get hands on to turn it off. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to adjust your Chrome settings. Ready? Remember that from time to time, Chrome will remind you to review your notification permissions so you can always change your mind later.
Turn off notifications in Google Chrome on Windows 10, Mac, and more…
Before we leap into various operating systems, let’s start with the mother ship itself. Here’s how to adjust the default notifications in Google Chrome. The process is pretty much the same whether you’re using Windows 10, 11 or even a Mac.
- Open Chrome.
- Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Click Privacy and security < Site settings < Notifications. If you’re on a Mac, you can use the keyboard shortcut Command, to go straight to your settings.
- Select the option you would like as your default setting.
If you choose to allow quieter messaging, you won’t see pop-ups, but there will be a bell icon next to the website’s address instead. To allow notifications from that website, click on the bell. You can also choose not to allow any notifications at all. Remember that this is a brush with a very broad stroke! If you want to manage sites individually, read on.
Here’s how to turn off notifications for specific sites in Google Chrome
Perhaps you want Facebook notifications after all? If the scorched-earth approach to Chrome reminders isn’t for you, help is again at hand in the Chrome Notifications center. Take a few moments to scroll down and view or manage your Block list and Allow list. These lists show the websites which are currently either not allowed or allowed to send you notifications. It’s worth regularly checking in here to see if changes are needed. Being pestered with notifications? Here’s how to remove that site from your Allow list: Pick the overzealous website from your Allow list and click on the three dots to the right of the site’s name. Then choose Block from the drop-down menu.
The opposite is also true of course. If you decide to receive notifications from a site that you’ve blocked, go to the Block (or not allowed to send notifications) list, and click on Add (in blue at the top).
A window opens. Type in the address of the site you want to block and click Add.
You can also manage sites directly within that specific site. Go there using Google Chrome and then:
- To the left of the web address, click on the icon you want:
🔒 Lock
ⓘ Info
⚠️ Dangerous
- Click Site settings on the left.
- Scroll down to find and adjust Notifications. Your settings will be saved automatically.
How to turn off Google Chrome notifications using Windows Settings
Have you decided to banish all notifications from Google Chrome? You can disable its notification permissions using the Windows Settings app by following these steps:
- Open the Start menu and click the gear icon to launch the Settings
- Find System > Notifications.
- Scroll down to find Notifications (Get notifications from apps and other senders).
- Find Google Chrome in the app list and disable the toggle next to it.
How to disable your Chrome notifications on a Mac
As mentioned previously, you can use Chrome to adjust your notification settings but here’s how to use the settings of your Mac itself:
- Choose Apple Menu > System Settings and then click Notifications in the sidebar.
- Click on Google Chrome in the right pane. Then turn off Allow.
You’ve now banished all Chrome notifications until you turn the Allow notifications function back on. Wasn’t that easy? Now, what about your mobile device?
Here’s how to turn off Chrome notifications on your Android
If you’re like most of us, you probably use your smart phone to do a lot of browsing—so don’t forget to adjust the notifications settings of your Android device too!
- Open Chrome on your Android phone. Click on the three dots in the right-hand corner and then hit Settings.
- Select Notifications.
- Toggle the switch (to the right of Show notifications) to the off This will block all notifications from Chrome on your Android phone.
- For a less heavy-handed approach, tap the toggle switch to on and then select individual notification preferences for playing media, downloads, etc.
- Scroll down further to the Sites section to enable or disable notifications for specific websites.
Now what about Chrome notifications on iOS?
Apple phones didn’t support Google notifications until recently. Now the Google app for iOS lets you easily control what notifications you get from Google—but to receive notifications in the first place, you’ll have to turn them on: Open the Settings app > Notifications > Google > Check that the switch next to “Allow notifications” is set to on. If you change your mind, simply turn this off.
You can also go a step further and help disable Chrome’s access to your iPhone data to further safeguard your online privacy:
- Locate and tap the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Scroll down and select Mobile Data.
- A list of apps that have access to mobile data will appear. Locate Google Chrome and toggle off its switch. You have now stopped the app from using data in the background without your knowledge, adding another layer of privacy online.
If you would like a helping hand from Chrome on your terms, look out for this feature: The Get notified bell icon appears in your Google searches. Tap it to receive news or product updates based on your search. See this Google Support page for detailed information on notification topics and settings for iPads and iOS.
Whatever device and operating system you’re using, please play it safe! If you’re still seeing a lot of pop-ups, make sure you don’t have malicious adware installed. Reputable antivirus software helps protect you from many types of online threats. Avira Free Security bundles online security, privacy, and device performance, as well as a VPN for more anonymous browsing.
Now optimize your browser to minimize tracking and data leaks
You’ve explored Google Chrome settings to allow or disable notifications, but why stop there? Your browser plays a big role in your online experience, including protecting your privacy. The latest Chrome settings promise to make it easier than ever to give you more control over your identity, data, and browsing search history. Here are our top tips for more secure and private surfing, away from the prying eyes of trackers:
- Use the Ad privacy feature: This is buried in your Chrome Settings > Privacy and security > Ad privacy. You’ll see three options. For maximum privacy, turn them all off, one by one: Ad topics; Site-suggested ads; Ad measurement.
Ad topics uses your recent browsing history to detect what topics you like so you can be shown personalized ads. Site-suggested ads serves up personalized ads based on the individual websites you’ve visited. If you looked at cat jumpers on Amazon, for example, you’ll now see offers for feline knitwear from other sites. Ad measurement lets websites and advertisers share information about you so they can monitor how effective their marketing is.
- Wipe away cookie crumbs: Treat your browser as you would a kitchen counter and keep it clean by clearing cookie files and blocking future cookies. Hidden in the same Privacy and security section as above, you’ll find the Clear browsing data
- Don’t forget to manage what Google knows about you: Your Google account stores a lot of personal information, but you have a say too. Log in to google.com. Go to Data and privacy > Privacy Checkup. Click through the wizard and carefully select your options.
Final tip: For a more private and peaceful online experience, activate this Blocking feature
Whatever your Google settings, you could go one better by making this adjustment after you’ve downloaded and installed Avira Secure Browser: Find Privacy Guard in the Security and Privacy Center and choose Balanced or Strict Blocking to help stop known trackers, pop-ups, and banner ads. Peace at last?
Help keep your online searches safer and more private with a browser extension
Love online shopping, browsing, or just find yourself caught down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling? If you’ve finished optimizing your Google settings, there’s still one more thing you can do: Help maximize your online security and privacy with Avira Secure Browser, a free Google Chrome extension that’s packed with tools and features, including anti-tracking and anti-phishing. For more incognito browsing, activate Private Mode, and you can rest assured that your browsing history, cookies, and site data are less likely to be saved.
Most of us lead a busy life online and it’s easy to get lost in an online sea of distractions. By adjusting your Google Chrome settings, you can claim back some peace from the constant background hum of notifications. And with the right additional browser extension and tools, you can go a step further and help shield your data, identity, and online activities from those trying to watch.
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