Time sensitive notifications on Snapchat and other apps were introduced with iOS 15 as a way to surface urgent alerts even when you have enabled a Focus mode. However, while they aim to notify you of important happenings in real-time, these notifications can also be disruptive and distracting if not managed properly. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore what exactly time sensitive notifications are, their pros and cons, and step-by-step instructions to disable them on Snapchat specifically or across all apps on your iPhone.
What are Time Sensitive Notifications?
Time sensitive notifications are a type of notification on iOS devices that can bypass the Focus modes and DND settings you have enabled. They allow certain apps – currently Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, TikTok and more – to notify you immediately about urgent messages, even if you have notifications silenced.
For example, if you have enabled the "Work" Focus mode which silences most notifications, a time sensitive notification from Snapchat will still surface on your lock screen and make a sound/vibration alerting you to it.
The idea behind this notification type is to ensure users don‘t miss critical alerts related to direct messaging, live events, breaking news etc. in real-time, even with Focus modes enabled. Time sensitive notifications remain prominently on your lock screen for 1 hour before disappearing if not tapped on.
Pros and Cons of Time Sensitive Notifications
Allowing time sensitive notifications can be useful in some cases but also disruptive in others. Let‘s analyze some key pros and cons:
Pros
- Receive truly urgent messages immediately even with Focus/DND on. Useful for emergencies.
- Stay updated on critical notifications you‘d want to see right away like breaking news.
- Never miss important live events and streams you care about.
- Temporary presence on lock screen makes them prominent.
Cons
- Can disrupt your workflows and focus time if you get many non-urgent alerts.
-Notifications popping up can distract you unnecessarily. - Having another notification override your DND settings largely defeats their purpose.
- If locked, you‘d have to unlock phone just to clear notification. Cumbersome.
As you can see, time sensitive notifications can be beneficial if you are expecting truly urgent commmunications. But the downsides like distraction often outweigh utility of this feature for most everyday users. Let‘s look at how to disable time sensitive notifications.
Step-by-Step: Turning Off Time Sensitive Notifications on Snapchat
You can easily turn off time sensitive notifications either just for Snapchat or across all apps that support the feature. Here are the steps on an iPhone:
For Snapchat only:
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Open Settings app on your iPhone.
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Scroll down and tap on "Snapchat".
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Tap on "Notifications".
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Under "Allow Snapchat to access", turn off the toggle for "Time Sensitive Notifications".
For all apps:
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Go to Settings > Notifications.
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Scroll down and tap on "Time Sensitive".
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Turn off "Allow Time Sensitive Notifications".
This will disable time sensitive notifications across all apps on your device, not just Snapchat.
Once you have turned off time sensitive notifications, apps like Snapchat will no longer be able to bypass your Focus settings and DND to alert you. The only notifications you‘ll get are the standard ones based on your per-app notification settings.
Why Disable Time Sensitive Notifications on Snapchat?
Here are some common reasons you may want to turn off time sensitive notifications specifically for Snapchat or across all apps:
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Avoid getting distracted by non-urgent Snapchat alerts when you are focused on work or studying.
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Snapchat notifications can disrupt your sleep if you get late night messages with sounds/vibrations.
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Too many alerts from Snapchat conversations can impact your digital wellbeing goals.
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You find time sensitive notifications too disruptive to your workflow.
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You don‘t have very urgent communications on Snapchat so don‘t need them.
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You want full control over the notifications you get with Focus modes.
Alternative Ways to Manage Notifications
Beyond just disabling time sensitive notifications, there are a few other ways you can take control of distracting alerts on your iPhone:
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Use Focus modes like Work, Sleep, Fitness to silence non-priority apps and contacts.
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Set a daily DND schedule to pause notifications during set times like nighttime.
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Adjust notification settings per app – turn off sounds, badges app icons, vibration alerts.
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Create VIP contacts who can notify you even in DND/Focus modes.
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Filter notifications by app or contact.
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Use Siri shortcuts to enable/disable Focus modes or DND quickly.
The key is finding a notification management approach that reduces distractions while still surfacing important alerts. Disabling time sensitive notifications on Snapchat is one step towards achieving that balance.
Conclusion
While time sensitive notifications aim to keep you informed urgent happenings in real-time, they can also be disruptive and distracting if you get too many non-critical alerts. Turning off the feature specifically for Snapchat or across all apps on your iPhone gives you more control over the notifications you receive. Combining this with tools like Focus modes helps minimize distractions from your priorities. Hopefully this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of what time sensitive notifications are and clear steps to disable them on Snapchat or iPhone.
