Seeing the message "Android is blocking this app's notifications at your request"? It almost always means the app's notification toggle got switched off — frequently by accident. Here is how to turn it back on, app by app, plus the trickier cases (websites and sideloaded apps).
Method 1: Settings (the reliable way)
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications → App notifications (on some phones: Apps & notifications → [app] → Notifications).
- Find the app and make sure its master switch is on.
- Open the app's categories and confirm the ones you care about (Messages, Alerts) are enabled.
Method 2: From the app icon
A faster shortcut: from the home screen or app drawer, long-press the app icon → App info → App notifications, then toggle it on. This jumps straight to that app's settings without scrolling the full list.
Method 3: Websites & browsers
Notifications from a website (or Chrome) are controlled separately:
- Chrome: open the browser, Settings → Site settings → Notifications. Blocked sites are listed — tap one and turn it on.
- Also check Pop-ups and redirects if the site needs it.
- For social or web accounts, you can also re-enable alerts inside the site's own Account → Preferences → Notifications menu.
Method 4: Blocker & focus apps
Productivity or "focus" apps, and dedicated notification blockers, can silence other apps. If notifications vanished after installing one, open that app and turn off its blocking, or uninstall it. Then re-check the affected app's toggle (Method 1), since the block may have flipped it.
Method 5: Sideloaded apps (Restricted settings)
Apps installed from outside the Play Store are treated as less trusted, and Android may refuse to let them post notifications until you explicitly allow it:
- Settings → Apps, select the app.
- Tap the three-dot menu (top-right).
- Choose Allow restricted settings.
- Go back and enable notifications again.
Only do this for apps you trust. And remember: a blocked notification is different from a silenced one — see what silent notifications mean if the alert arrives but makes no sound.
Want a cleaner way to keep the alerts that matter visible? Dingpin pins important notifications to the top of your shade and keeps a searchable history — no digging through settings required.
FAQ
Why does it say "Android is blocking this app's notifications at your request"?
Because the app's notification toggle was turned off — often by accident, or because you declined when the app first asked. Re-enabling the toggle removes the message.
How do I unblock a website's notifications?
In the browser's Site settings, open Notifications, find the site in the blocked list, and turn it back on. In Chrome: Settings → Site settings → Notifications.
Does unblocking delete anything?
No. Unblocking only restores the app's ability to alert you; your account, messages, and settings stay exactly as they were.