Source: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/managing-notifications. This file is a structured index of that content, snapshot 2025-02-02. Apple HIG text and imagery are © Apple Inc.; this repository provides organization and cross-referencing for AI agent consumption only.
Managing notifications
Integrating with Focus
A Focus helps people filter notifications during a time period they reserve for an activity like sleeping, working, reading, or driving.
Delivery scheduling lets people choose whether to receive notification alerts immediately or in a summary that’s delivered at times they choose.
Passive. Information people can view at their leisure, like a restaurant recommendation.
Active (the default). Information people might appreciate knowing about when it arrives, like a score update on their favorite sports team.
Time Sensitive. Information that directly impacts the person and requires their immediate attention, like an account security issue or a package delivery.
Critical. Urgent information about health and safety that directly impacts the person and demands their immediate attention. Critical notifications are extremely rare and typically come from governmental and public agencies or apps that help people manage their health or home.
Best practices
Build trust by accurately representing the urgency of each notification.
Use the Time Sensitive interruption level only for notifications that are relevant in the moment.
Sending marketing notifications
Never use the Time Sensitive interruption level to send a marketing notification.
Get people’s permission if you want to send them promotional or marketing notifications.
Make sure people can manage their notification settings within your app.
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For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/managing-notifications