I've been looking at moving to iOS, but need a functional notification system as well. I get the impression that most iPhone users use their phones for gaming and play, rather than productivity. Otherwise, there is no way they would tolerate this, right?

I really must be the only person who likes iOS notifications

The secret of notifications is to ruthlessly minimise them!

Take charge of you own time and don't let systems and machines dictate it for you. This does not need a complex or sophisticated system/process surrounding notifications.

@ChowboyDan - your unfounded generalisation about iphone users is just that - unfounded. I suspect users of both iOS and Android are equally diverse. "Productivity" is often achieved by eliminating the superfluous - such as myriad notifications.

This is the way. I only get notifications from three potential instant message apps and the phone. I found all other push notifications to be useless. All other apps are disabled for push notifications.

My bad. I am just going by my anecdotal experience. I work with people with iPhones, and they generally have different workflows for getting things done. Some use paper todo lists or have simple lists that they manage on regular intervals (check list in the morning and evening, for example).

Note: I'm still trying to convince myself that I could simplify my life and move to iOS. But I've had a personal assistant (Android) for so many years, that it would be challenging.

Anyway, don't mean to generalize. I should have meant to say that in my non-scientific observations, the people that I know seem to have a different relationship with their iPhone than I have with my Android - it is all down to notification systems.

Serious question - so, you only use the notification system for instant messaging apps? Do you use any productivity apps on your phone (todo lists like TickTick or Todoist or even calendar events)? Would you say that your phone is mostly a communication tool for you?

Can't speak for others, of course I use lists, calendars etc. But I look at them when I NEED and CHOOSE to! Similarly with messaging apps. Do I know how many messages/emails etc are waiting? Yes, of course, but all they do is change the counter- no summaries or extracts appear on the screen to interrupt whatever I am doing. I will choose a time when i will deal with/ignore them. NOTHING appears on the lock screen. What I use my phone/tablet for is my business alone.

The most precious resource I have is my attention. So I control how it is used.

Not the above redditor but I use my phone similarly. The only apps with access to “time sensitive” (iOS wording) notifications are messaging, calendar and a few other apps I feel deserve immediate attention if something comes in.

Next are the “scheduled summary” notifications. I’ve set up summaries to happen every few hours throughout the day. These are apps I want to keep up with new info but don’t want flooding my phone with pings (the phone groups all the notifications into one bubble that can be expanded to see all contents)

Everything else I disable notifications on, drives me insane looking at some people’s phones with constant updates from 5 social platforms, messaging, email and ads from game apps.

There’s also the new Focus system, but I haven’t spent much time with it.

Not just you, I really love it

Out of curiosity- what is it you would like iOS to do that it doesn't?

Overall, I want to interact less with my phone. When I've tried iOS in the past, I felt that I was having to do more with my phone, rather than get my phone to do things for me.

It's been a little while since I have done an iPhone trial, so I suspect things have improved. But there are a few things that I missed last time around.

Note: my lifestyle has been a parent and manager of boring household stuff, as well as a software engineer who has moved into the boring world of data. My kids are getting older, so I'm having to manage soccer practice, bball practice, etc for 3 kids while having a full-time job less now. This is one of the reasons I feel that I'm open to simplifying a bit more now.

• Android has a status bar along the top of the screen that has icons that tell you if you have notifications that you need to act on. I can work in whatever app I'm in and always be aware (without swiping) that I have something outstanding.

• Notifications have actions in the notification (reply, snooze, etc).

• Notifications stay until you have acted on it. There is no risk that something has disappeared because you looked at it.

• I need to get notifications from my work, but I don't want to be bothered by notifications from various systems that send out emails to everyone. I can decide how - or if - particular work emails notify me. These customizations can be made by sender and/or keyword. Some notifications never display, some display without sound, and some display and make a sound.

• The above type of customization means that any possible combination of variables that I can think of can be used to make my phone work for me, rather than me work for my phone. If I want to only receive notifications from people who text me about the "elephants" between the hours of 1:15pm and 2:45pm and I'm currently at work, I can make this happen.

• I value my sleep, but have needed my 3 kids to be able to reach me at all hours of the night if it's important. So, I don't get woken up when they message me unless they include a secret unmute word. This will allow the notification to make noise, so I will get it.

Overall, I just want to have control to make the phone work for me in a way that allows me to not have to try to remember the 500 things that need to happen. And I don't want to be forced to browse around my phone looking for app badges or anything else. I want to use my phone less and have it act like my personal assistant, so it can free me up to be more present.

(I'm sure I'm forgetting things from my last trial with iPhone. Plus, I'm sure it's changed since then.)

EDIT: Did I get downvoted for this? Fascinating.

I much prefer them to some minuscule dimly light icon on an AOD.
But I wasn't a fan when they moved to the bottom of the screen from the middle. Now I have to take my phone out of my cupholder while driving to see what it is.

I use the reminders app for lists and todos. I don’t need push notifications for lists and todos. My iPhone is my primary personal computer. I run my life with it. I have a Windows desktop that is 100% gaming only. I have a work issued laptop for work.

Thanks. Do you just periodically view your lists of things to do so you don't miss something?

This is a crazy argument people make about iPhone. I get more done if I’m being bothered by notifications less. I don’t want my phone to run my life, it should only be there when I need it. The reminders app works perfectly. I can make lists. It reminds me of things I need to do as does the calendar app. I don’t need other bothersome notifications. Keep the Android crap on Android.

Meh. I don’t know anything else.

My work emails and Teams are also on my phone and it works.

But I admit it could be better.

Unfortunately notification tuning on iOS takes a lot more work than it does on Android. The biggest recommendation is to leverage focus modes. Create profiles for deep focus, work, home, sleep, and fitness.

I switched from Android to iPhone multiple times and I swear I never saw much difference in the notification system between them. Always saw people complaining about it but never understood it. Grantly, I only use notification for whatsapp, calendar and banking apps, so that could be why.

OK, understand that! I'm at quite a different point in life, which explains our differing approaches to some degree.

For what it's worth, I will likely do another iPhone trial this year. I usually purchase a used iPhone, use it for a month, and then sell it. It's been a couple of years, so I think it's time. There aren't many good options for Android phones right now, and I suppose I'm looking for a change.

I swear I will never understand people complaining about the notifications on iOS. And I still don’t understand what you guys are actually complaining about.

For me I get a message on WhatsApp for example, I can see the red bubbles on the screen, I see the notification in the Notification Center as well and that’s enough.

What are you specifically not happy with?

Lol having used both OSs extensively it’s definitely better on Android but iOS notifications aren’t so bad.

I’ve never missed an important notification. In fact Gmail was worse on Android for delayed notifications, it’s instant on iOS. Even work notifications from apps like Slack/Asana/Trello are fine. Never missed one.

It’s just about getting used to checking the Notification Center vs having the little icon on the status bar in Android.

Maybe others have bad experiences but I’ve not had an issue. I do also disable notifications for non essential apps to limit clutter, but I did that on Android too. I don’t need Hulu telling me a new show has released etc.

I switched to iPhone in 2018 with an iPhone 8. Before that I used Pixel and Nexus phones back to when they first started. Since then I’ve had the 8, SE2, 12 mini, and a 13.

I’ve felt since I switched that there’s just a different philosophy. iOS seems designed to get you into apps and keep the focus there in a way that Android isn’t. They have made some changes since 2018 though.

When I first switched, the homescreen was just icons, notifications were worse, and they hadn’t implemented shortcuts. The notifications in iOS have always seem designed to make you open the app whereas Android can often just tell you what the app is trying to tell you and let you respond without making you open it.

Another difference is that Google’s apps always seemed to have many more options. They try harder to be everything to everyone and the result is increased complexity. Apple seems to try to be everything to about 80% of people and those who need more options have to turn to third party apps. For example, I never felt the need for another calendar app on Android, but on iOS (and Mac) I use different email and calendar apps because Apple’s don’t have enough options. The result for Apple is that their apps are generally simpler, but also easier to learn because they have less options.

Apple has really muddied the waters here over the last few years though. They have added shortcuts and focus modes which seem like bolt-on additions to cover perceived gaps. Neither are particularly beginner-friendly and both require significant effort to get set up. I went through the effort to set up focus modes and it accomplishes what I need as far as who can reach me at what time of day. Your method of using a specific word in a text as a keyword could probably be accomplished with shortcuts, but that’s not an area I’m particularly familiar with.

The homescreen also now has widgets, which is great I guess, but they aren’t interactive. I have a whole homescreen page that’s my calendar, email, and task widgets. It takes the place of the Notification Center for me generally. But because they aren’t interactive I can’t just check off a task from the Home Screen. I have to tap it and then do it from the app. Which I’m used to at this point.

I really don’t use the pull down Notification Center at all. It’s a mess, has been a mess, and will probably continue to be a mess. I don’t feel like Apple cares about it and that it’s only there at all because people complain about iPhone notifications all the time. I don’t think that’s the way they want you interacting with your phone. But I don’t really know what they’d prefer you do instead.

Unless there are other parts of the Apple ecosystem you really like, I don’t know that switching would benefit you if you already have a system set up. I think you could accomplish most of what you want on iOS, but it would take a lot of tinkering to get there. Which is ironic because one of the things I loved when I switched was that iOS didn’t let me tinker with my phone like Android.

Thanks! This is really helpful.

> Unless there are other parts of the Apple ecosystem you really like, I don’t know that switching would benefit you if you already have a system set up. I think you could accomplish most of what you want on iOS, but it would take a lot of tinkering to get there.

You're probably right. I think the reason I'm interested in trying iOS again is that I would love for there to be competion or another option. I keep thinking that iOS will mature enough and bring more functionality so that I can live with it. I know I won't have everything, but I'm hoping it catches up to Android a bit.

Plus, Android hardware options are a mess right now. I have the Pixel 5a, which just got repaired (for free) due to the motherboard failure debacle. The 6 and 7 series Pixels are a disaster, and I will not be buying them. They went with a new chip set (Tensor), which runs hot and has an inferior modem. They dropped the fingerprint scanner for an under-the-screen one that is unusable. Motorola has fallen off the map, and the only real Android option for me is Samsung, which can't put adult-sized batteries in their phones. And they charge absurd prices.

iPhones seem to last forever (just have the battery replaced), have local Apple stores for support/service, have ridiculous resale value, and are just ubiquitous among most of my non-techy family and friends. I'd love to be able to just move over and deal with it. But I don't even have any other Apple devices other than Airpods.

Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts. Later this year, I'll likely pick up a used iPhone for another trial and see how it goes.

This.

> Overall, I just want to have control to make the phone work for me

I'm a year into my first iPhone and have learned that you have to give up some control with this OS. I can't even set up the Home Screen to best suit my usage. I'm stuck with a Today panel I can't disable and an App Drawer that's annoying to navigate (and also can't disable). Home Screen, widgets, and placement -- basic UI customization I was used to on Android is a lost cause here.

Your notification needs are ahead of my basic ones but even my basic usage leaves me wanting. For example, the notch renders the status bar useless. No room for any of those helpful icons that let you glance down at one spot to see what's waiting. The Shortcuts app does have options to automate some email actions and that might be what you're looking for, but I haven't personally put that to use.

Thanks. It's good to hear these experiences.

Re: UI customization - I realized that I hardly customize my UI anymore, so I don't think I'd miss that. There were times I had all kinds of crazy setups with alternative launchers, but I've been sticking with the standard Pixel launcher for years now.

I've been looking into some of the Focus functionality, and it looks interesting. It wouldn't meet all of my notification needs, but it might be enough. Mostly, I think I'd have to change my expectations if I were to move to iOS. We'll see.

> • I value my sleep, but have needed my 3 kids to be able to reach me at all hours of the night if it’s important. So, I don’t get woken up when they message me unless they include a secret unmute word. This will allow the notification to make noise, so I will get it.

OMG, I need this in my life! I miss Android notifications (and I’ve been on iOS for 9 years), but I’ve gotten used to them on iOS, and I have them set up the best way that works for me. But as someone who has their phone on mute 100% of the time, this would be awesome!

I haven’t used Android for a few years so things may have changed, but using your WhatsApp message example:

• On Android, you don’t need banner notifications (not always desirable) to know you have a WhatsApp notification while in another app, there will be an icon or dot in the notification bar.

• You can reply right from that notification, no need to go into WhatsApp.

• Notifications on the Lock Screen and the Notification Center are the same, you can reply (or mark it as read or dismiss it) in one place and it carries over, which can help with clutter or confusion.

• No difference between swiping down from the top-right and the top-center, since Android’s version of Control Center sits right above your notifications.

• Notifications are consistently grouped by app with a drop-down arrow to split out or collapse each group.

• Notification badges on apps use a similar color to the app and no number, that one’s more of an aesthetic thing but some prefer that subtlety to the bright red badge with a specific number.

In some ways, Android’s approach is more streamlined. Swipe down from any part of the top of the screen, see all your notifications (and toggles), act on anything you wanted to, then swipe back up to put away the shade & get right back to what you were doing.

There’s nothing wrong with the notification

yeah i have all notifications turned off too and its helped with balance in my life 100%

Yeah they need to utilize the dynamic island with notifications 😤😤

all these complaints about notifications. I get them. They seem to work fine for me anyway.

People just love to complain.

I also like it as well. Not sure what the issue is. I have had 0 issues and I get a lot of messages. I did turn off notifications for any non-messaging apps, though.

Is there a way to get notifications to pop up on the top and not the bottom?

For me the biggest downgrade from Android is I have no way to clear all notifications in one button. The notifications are soooo annoying in iOS I have no disable all of them. Didn't have this issue in Android no matter how aggressive the notifications are, because I can clear them out easily and my screen is clean again.

I can clear my notifications... there is a Clear All button.

I meant the red numbers above all my apps icons. Can I?

Another one. Get an android phone. The end. Tired of these notification posts.

Yea. This is the way. I got no qualms about notifications as only notifications are allowed are the ones I really want to see. Everything else is turned off

You can also reply from the notification on iOS

I love my Samsung notifications. I remember always loosing texts on my iPhone 11 (sometimes I just didn't get them at all! I think many are familiar with this bug).

While Apple is just focused on "cameras" and "more storage", most people need a phone to work as an actual phone. To make calls, take them, send texts, receive them, isn't that simple?

Limited. Very limited. Been one of my big issues even in the latest 16.3. I use both and find the Android system is overall more useful.

I like the reply someone else mentioned; on Android I get things done in Notifications where in iOS it seems to want to pull me into the app.

personally i find Android's lack of a decent Face ID system makes notifications a sub-par experience on Android since i can't see my notifications on screen with a tap and a glance - i have to unlock the Android phone with a fingerprint sensor, swipe down, expand the notification using the tiny little triangle button and then it only presents three of the latest notifications rather than allowing me to scroll through all of them

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i guess it's all rather subjective

I guess Apple is concerned more about letting users control the attention they want to give for the notifications in the phone. This may not be for all of course. But I like this approach a lot. It appears more refined for me than Android. It got me some time to get used to. I also admire the way focus and notification summaries let me attend to non important stuff only when I want.

Yeah its horrible. I just switched from android a few months ago. I don’t understand why I need to do something to bring up notifications. Why aren’t they always on the Lock Screen?

Coming from Android I can also say it's terrible

Same here. I recently started using the notification summaries and I’m really happy with that also.