Have you ever experienced a situation where, while you're in the middle of an epic game on your Android phone, pop-up notifications from WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, or other apps invade your screen, distracting you or blocking your controls? This is one of the most common and frustrating interruptions for mobile gamers, but you don't have to put up with it.
In this article I explain in a detailed, exhaustive and updated way All the available ways to avoid pop-up notifications when playing on Android. From simple and universal solutions such as the mode Do not bother, through individual deactivation for specific apps, personalization by contact, concentration modes, up to the use of specialized “Game Mode” toolsPlus, you'll learn how to manage floating notifications on Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, and other brands of phones, how to protect your privacy by blocking the preview on the lock screen, and how to discover common mistakes when it seems you've already set everything up.
Why do pop-up notifications appear when playing on Android?
Pop-up notifications on Android (also called floating notifications or pop-ups) are alerts that appear at the top or center of the screen, displaying messages, chats, email notifications, and even system app notifications in real time.
This feature is generally useful, as it allows you to read urgent messages or notifications without having to exit the game or application, but in gaming sessions it can have the opposite effect: interrupting gameplay, mashing buttons, or distracting at just the wrong time.
The Android system and the different layers of customization allow you to thoroughly adjust the behavior, the type of notifications that are shown and the time they appear, but It is essential to know all the possible techniques and combinations to avoid being disturbed when you want maximum concentration..
Activate "Do Not Disturb" mode to silence all notifications.
El "do not disturb" mode It is the fastest and most effective option for Block any pop-up notifications, sound alerts, or vibrations on your Android phone while playing. This mode is native to virtually all devices, although the location or name in the menus may vary slightly depending on the smartphone brand.
How Does It Work? When activated, the system blocks the appearance of pop-up notifications, message sounds, calls, and alerts from all apps. This way, you can play for hours without visual or audio interruptions. Everything received will be silenced and stored for later reference once you deactivate it.
Where is it activated?
- Swipe down the top bar to display quick settings and look for the “Do Not Disturb” icon.
- If it doesn't appear, go to "Settings" > "Sound" or "Notifications" and you'll find the option to turn it on.
Some mobile phones allow Customize automatic rules, priority contacts, exceptions, and specific schedulesThis way, you can make it so only specific people can reach you in the emergency room or schedule it to activate at certain times of the day.
If your mobile does not integrate this function in an advanced way, you can use external apps such as «Mute Notifications» available on the Play Store, where you can set schedules and profiles when you don't want to be disturbed while playing.
Advantages:
- Silence todas notifications and pop-ups globally.
- Advanced customization of exceptions and schedules.
- You don't delete or lose any notifications: you receive them later.
Inconvenient: You may be blocking important notifications from people or apps that you do want to see while you're playing.
Customize the behavior of pop-up notifications according to each manufacturer
Android has evolved over time allowing users to granularly control What type of notifications to receive, from whom, when, and how they are displayedHowever, management can vary significantly depending on the device brand and the software layer used. Below, I'll explain how to do it depending on the model:
Android Stock, One UI, Realme UI, ColorOS and most brands
- Press and hold the pop-up notification when it appears while using your phone.
- Options will appear to choose how you want to receive notifications: "Priority," "Default," and "Silent."
- By selecting "Silent," the notification will no longer be a pop-up (floating) notification and will neither emit any sound nor vibrate. It will simply remain as an icon in the status bar.
Xiaomi (MIUI)
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to “Notifications and status bar”.
- Select “Floating Notifications.”
- Choose apps one by one and disable floating notifications for those you want to mute during gameplay.
Huawei (EMUI)
- Search for the “Optimizer” or “Manager” app.
- Go to “Floating Notifications”.
- Turn off floating notifications for the apps you want.
Samsung (One UI)
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings.
- Tap “Floating Notifications.”
- Disable this feature completely or select specific apps where you don't want it to appear.
For all brands, it's recommended to use the settings search engine by selecting "Pop-up notifications," "Floating notifications," or simply "Pop-up notifications" to directly access the control menu.
Mute specific apps to stop annoying notifications
If there are one or more apps that are particularly busy sending notifications (social media, email, messaging), you can choose to Mute only those apps without affecting other notificationsThis tactic is perfect if you don't want to completely isolate yourself from the world, but you do want to eliminate annoying notifications during your gaming sessions.
- Go to Settings on your Android mobile.
- Go to “Apps” or “Apps & notifications.”
- Select the app you want to block.
- Tap “Notifications.”
- Turn off the notification switch, or set the notification channels to “Silent.”
Some apps allow you to mute only certain types of notifications (for example, messages, but not calls or important alerts). This is especially useful for WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, etc.
Remember: You can reactivate notifications after finishing the game, or whenever you want to receive them again.
This method is also useful for controlling notifications from the system itself, rather than relying on each app's internal settings.
Mute a specific person, group, or chat from the notification
Sometimes the problem isn't an entire app, but a single person, group, or chat that keeps sending messagesIn that case, Android (and messaging apps) offer options to mute specific contacts for a duration of your choice.
How to do it quickly?
- When you receive a notification from WhatsApp, Telegram, or any other compatible app, long press on the notification.
- Choose "Mute" from the pop-up menu. You won't receive any more pop-ups or audio for that chat.
- In some apps you can choose how long to mute (8 hours, 1 week, always…)
This option doesn't affect other notifications or contacts. It's ideal when you have a busy group or an insistent friend, but you don't want to miss important messages from other people.
Manage notifications on the lock screen
In addition to the pop-up notifications that appear while you are using your phone, Android allows you to display notifications on the lock screen, which can affect your privacy and concentration. If you want to hide sensitive messages, photos, or notifications:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications.
- Look for the “On the lock screen” or “Notification privacy” section.
- Choose between: “Show all content,” “Hide sensitive content,” or “Do not show notifications.”
In modern versions of Android, you can configure this for each app and for each notification category or channel. This way, you decide which apps can display notifications when locked, which only show the icon, and which are completely hidden.
Important: If you have protected or sensitive notifications (such as security codes, banking information, or personal messages), it's highly recommended to hide them from the lock screen to prevent third parties from reading them if they pick up your phone.
Use focus or rest modes to remove notifications while playing
Many modern mobile phones integrate Concentration, Rest or Digital Wellbeing Modes These modes allow you to automatically mute all pop-up notifications for a duration of time you choose. These modes have evolved to allow you to pause, mute, or limit alerts depending on the activity you're doing (gaming, working, studying, or even sleeping).
- Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Focus Mode or Sleep Mode.
- Set the schedule at which you want the mode to activate.
- Choose the allowed applications (you can leave out game apps or only allow essential ones).
- Activate from the control panel, where it usually appears as a moon, pause, or focus icon.
This mode is very useful if you want to set up automatic routines to avoid distractions and fully focus on the game without having to remember to manually turn settings on or off.
Activate airplane mode to block all communications
El airplane mode It is the most radical and effective measure when you want completely isolate your phone from the outside world while you play (or work). When activated, Calls, SMS, mobile data and WiFi are disconnected, so you won't receive any notifications, not even from apps that run in the cloud.
When to use it? Especially useful in local games, when you don't need an internet connection, or if you want to maximize battery life.
- Slide the quick settings bar and tap the “Airplane” icon.
- You can also activate it in Settings > Airplane Mode.
Keep in mind: You won't receive calls, messages, or use internet-dependent apps until you turn the mode off again.
Use game mode apps to automatically block notifications
On devices with modern customization layers and on most current mobile phones there are game modes or Game Mode that optimize performance and allow you to automatically silence all pop-up notifications during your gaming sessions.
Apps like Game Booster o Gaming Mode They are very popular and easy to use:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Add the game to the list of apps to protect.
- Activate “Game Mode” before starting the game.
- The app will block floating notifications, calls, and can optimize resources to improve performance.
Some manufacturers already have their own game mode, which you can activate from the quick settings or from the game app included in your phone. For example, OnePlus (OxygenOS), Xiaomi (Game Turbo), Samsung (Game Launcher), and others.
The multiple options offered by Android and the customization layers of each manufacturer allow you adapt the behavior of pop-up notifications to your specific needsFrom globally blocking any interruptions in your games with "Do Not Disturb" or "Game" mode, to silencing only the most annoying apps or people, customizing the appearance of floating notifications, and protecting your privacy on the lock screen, all the solutions are at your fingertips. Configure your device following the instructions detailed above and enjoy a distraction-free gaming experience. This way, you'll get the most out of your phone, choosing when and how you want to receive notifications, without missing out on important information, and always keeping you in control.