Tips & Tricks: How to disable annoying browser notifications for good

The influx of notifications causing the web browser to freeze and hamper our productivity can be super annoying. Let's say you are trying to read an interesting article and before you can even finish the first sentence, the browser starts pestering you to subscribe to notifications. What could be even worse, is that some website can be extremely persistent in forcing users to subscribe to notifications or get restricted from accessing the site content.

Push notifications are not necessarily bad. In fact, they can be very helpful when it comes to delivering information quickly and directly to a specific user (in this case, a subscriber). In this article, we will demonstrate a step-by-step guide on how to disable browser notifications to minimise the distraction.

Blocking browser notifications

Most of the modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari, allow users to place a blanket ban on notifications. This can also safeguard you against random subscriptions or scam websites trying to access permission to your browser information.

Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome and the menu icon at the top right corner. Now, 'Settings' and navigate to 'Advanced' settings. Go to Site Settings > Notifications. Disable the toggle 'Ask before sending.

Firefox

Similar to Chrome, you can disable browser notifications on Firefox by ing the menu icon at the upper right corner. Navigate to Options > Privacy & Security > Permissions. the Settings button next to Notifications. Set the 'Block new requests asking to allow notifications' flag.

Safari

Pull down Safari menu > 'Perferences' > Open Websites section > 'Notifications' > Uncheck 'Allow websites to ask for permission to send push notifications.'

Opera

If you are an Opera user, all you need to do is the Settings icon in the upper right corner of your screen. Now, scroll down and the option 'Go to browser settings.' In the menu on the left, 'Advanced.' From here onwards, navigate to 'Privacy & Security' tab > go to 'Site Settings' > 'Notifications.' Now, simply disable the 'Ask before sending' toggle.

How to cancel existing subscriptions

If you no longer wish to remain subscribed to notifications on a website, you can unsubscribe in your browser settings.

Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome and go to browser settings. Scroll down and 'Advanced.' Now, go to Site Settings > Notifications. Now, the three-dot icon next website URL, under Allow. Finally, select 'Block.'

Firefox

Open the menu and select options. Go to 'Privacy & Security' and scroll down to 'Permissions.' the 'Settings' button next to notifications. If you want to subscribe to notifications from a specific website, 'Allow' next to its URL and select 'Block' from the drop-down list. Otherwise, 'Remove All websites' button.

Safari

All you need to do is open 'Safari' menu, select 'Preferences' and go to 'Websites.' Now, 'Notifications' Press Cmd+A on Mac (Ctrl+A on Windows) to disable all notifications. Otherwise, select a specific website in the list and 'Deny.'

Opera

Are you an Opera user? If yes, you need to go to Advanced browser settings by navigating to Menu > Go to browser settings > Advanced. Under 'Privacy & Security' tab, 'Settings.' Now, open 'Notifications.' Select website you are looking to unsubscribe and select 'Block.'

Edge

Last but not least, Edge users need to go to Settings > View advanced settings icon > Manage permissions. 'Clear All' to turn off all notifications. Otherwise, select a specific website in the list and disable Notifications by using toggle.

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