Only the notifications that matter: a 7-minute step-by-step plan
Short answer: Make it small and do it in order. 1) turn off all shopping app alerts, 2) mute two group chats, 3) switch email to batch checking, then keep going one step at a time. Most people are done in about 7 minutes.
Why this feels hard
Constant alerts keep pulling you out of focus. It’s really common, especially for people buzzed by constant alerts. The fix isn’t more willpower; it’s making the next step small and obvious.
Step by step
- Turn off all shopping app alerts · about 1 min
- Mute two group chats · about 1 min
- Switch email to batch checking · about 1 min
- Turn off badges · about 1 min
- Set a focus mode schedule · about 1 min
- Allow only favourite callers at night · about 1 min
- Review what you missed · about 1 min
What you’ll have at the end
Only the notifications that matter.
Notification Detox
The Notification Detox app walks you through these steps one at a time, with a timer, reminders and your streak. Works on any phone.
Get the app · $4.99/month
Questions
What’s the easiest way to get to “only the notifications that matter”?
Make it small and do it in order. 1) turn off all shopping app alerts, 2) mute two group chats, 3) switch email to batch checking, then keep going one step at a time. Most people are done in about 7 minutes.
How long does it take?
About 7 minutes if you follow the steps in order. You can stop after any step and still count it as progress.
Is there an app for this?
Yes: Notification Detox from Unstuck guides you through it step by step on your phone, with a timer and reminders.
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Written by the Unstuck team. Updated September 2026.