4 Ways to Fix Notifications Not Showing on Mac

Quick Tips

• Ensure the app you want notifications from is allowed to display them. Head to System Settings > Notifications and find the app. Ensure Allow Notifications is toggled on.
• You can choose banners that pop up briefly and alerts that require dismissal. The Show Notifications option allows you to see them only in the Notification option.
• A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches. Give your Mac a quick reboot and see if notifications reappear.

Preliminary Fixes

• Keep apps open in the background: Unlike the iPhone, you must keep the apps open in the background to receive instant push notifications on Mac.
• Check app settings: This applies to IM (Instant Messaging) apps and work services like Slack and Teams. You won’t receive a notification if you muted a specific WhatsApp or Telegram conversation.
• Disable Share Across Devices: When you enable Focus on your iPhone, the system automatically enables it for your iPad or Mac using the same account. You must disable your iPhone’s ‘Share Across Devices’ toggle, and iOS won’t share Focus status with other devices.
• Update Mac apps: Unlike the iPhone, apps on the Mac cannot be updated automatically. You must open the App Store and install the new updates.
• Update macOS: Apple regularly releases new software versions to add new features and fix bugs. Mac notifications that don’t work can be due to outdated system software. Try updating the macOS.

Fix 1: When Mirroring or Sharing the Display

If you’re mirroring your Mac’s screen to another display or sharing your screen with another device, there’s a setting that can prevent notifications from appearing on your Mac itself.

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo > open System Settings.

Step 2: Click on Notifications in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the bottom of the window.

Step 3: Find the option that says, Allow notifications when mirroring or sharing the display and checkmark it.

With this setting enabled, notifications will still appear on your Mac’s screen even while you’re mirroring or sharing your display. If this didn’t help, move on to the next fix.

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Fix 2: Enable Notification Permission for Installed Apps

If you have denied notification permission during startup, you must enable it from System Preferences or Settings.

On macOS Ventura (macOS 13) and Later

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo and open System Settings.

Step 2: Select Notifications from the sidebar. Open an app from which you are not receiving alerts.

Step 3: Enable the Allow notifications toggle and make the necessary changes.

On macOS Monterey and Earlier

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo > choose System Preferences.

Step 2: Go to the Notifications & Focus menu.

Step 3: Select an app that’s troubling you with notifications. Enable Allow Notifications toggle and close the menu.

You are all set to receive notifications from the app. From the same menu, customize the notification experience as well.

Fix 3: Disable Focus Mode on Mac

Since the macOS Monterey update, Apple has integrated the Do Not Disturb mode inside Focus on the Mac. Enabling Focus mode on your Mac disables all notifications and calls on the device. Here’s how to disable it.

On macOS Ventura and Later

Step 1: Go to System Settings > select Focus.

Step 2: Open a Focus mode > select Allowed Apps.

Step 3: Click + Add > search for apps > add them to the list.

On macOS Monterey and Earlier

Step 1: Open the System Preferences menu and go to Notifications & Focus.

Step 2: Select the Focus profile that you use frequently on Mac.

Step 3: Select Apps and click on the + icon.

Step 4: Select an app from which you want to receive notifications during Focus mode and close the menu.

Now, you are all set to receive notifications from your favorite apps. If this didn’t help, check out the next fix.

Also Read: How to set environment variable

Fix 4: Check Mac Volume and Sound Output

By default, your Mac notifications are set to appear as banners at the top-right corner. Meaning they show up for some time and go away automatically. If your Mac is on mute, you may miss several notifications.

Step 1: Open the Control Center from the top-right corner. Use the slider to adjust the volume.

Step 2: Click the streaming icon to ensure your MacBook or external speakers are set as sound output.

When notifications stop working on a Mac, things can get confusing. Before reinstalling apps and starting from scratch, use the above methods to fix the issue and receive notifications.