Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

donotnotify.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 171 posts

Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#1

Post by awaaz »

Why - I got sick of apps abusing notifications on my Android phone. While the OS does give you the ability to switch off notifications based on channels, most apps either don't use it or abuse it intentionally. In my case, I live in a gated society that uses an app called MyGate to allow visitors, and the app intentionally pushes ads through the same channels since you cannot block them.

What - DoNotNotify is an app that logs all incoming notifications, and displays them grouped by app. It also captures the action behind the notification, which can be triggered from the app itself. From this log, you can create rules to whitelist/blacklist notifications from apps depending on their notification content. These filters can even be regex expressions, which allows for more complicated use-cases. The app ships with some pre-defined rules for popular apps like Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, Netflix, TikTok, Reddit etc.

Where - The website is at https://donotnotify.com/.

Would also like to call out that the app runs purely on your device, never communicates with anything on the Internet, and only requires notifications access to work. It is completely free, and there is no advertising or hidden gotchas.

Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android
donotnotify.com

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#3

Post by Mattwmaster58 »

A couple years back I was looking for this sort of solution and ended up paying money to buy FilterBox which I've found to be good.

There are certain apps that I would love to be able to uninstall but have to keep for one reason or another, so I really appreciate apps like these which prevent attention-stealing notifications from making it through :)

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#4

Post by awaaz »

Multrex wrote: post #2

Tried with Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 to hide the VPN and DNS notification from Android System notification service but it does not work.

Can you share a screenshot of the notification, and the rule that you created for it at aj@donotnotify.com please?

Also, do note that if it is a persistent notification[1] then the Android OS does not allow it to be dismissed. In such a case, you will see the notification in the blocked history with a warning icon next to it.

[1] https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/notifications...

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#5

Post by Zigurd »

The play store should reject apps that use audible notifications other than those controlled by Android platform notification permissions. Making a user dig through an obscure multiple layer settings jungle to track down and kill annoying notifications is a dark pattern and deserves de-platforming. I'm looking at you, Facebook.

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#6

Post by cocoto »

I’m now an iOS user but the problem is actually the same here : apps not respecting communication channels to push ads (mostly to their own app or service). I usually fully block notifications from most apps but for some apps the notifications are really convenient (carpooling, transport or delivery app). Yes I want to know if the train I booked is delayed. No I don’t want to be notified that you are now partnering with another transport company and that you are sharing 5% off coupons to try it… I systematically give a 1 star review explaining the issue and mail the devs if possible. I even think that Apple Store and Play Store ToSs are against this practice but they are not enforcing it sadly…

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#7

Post by reedf1 »

My solution to this problem was to have my phone permanently on silent. The logic being - there was nothing so urgent 25 years ago that couldn't be solved by an asynchronous answering machine message checked once a day; why do I need moment to moment updates now.

Nowadays I'd probably use a tool like yours. My partner is going through legitimate withdrawal symptoms after two years of short-form content addiction. Turning off all notifications was one of the first things I did for them.

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#8

Post by mattbee »

I've been happy with the solution of switching off notifications from apps that interrupt me with promotions - one strike and they're out.

The remaining notifications are _still_ frequent enough that no single app can expect to get my attention with a single buzz.

It's not like apps don't upsell to when I _open_ them and have to swipe away ads before I can use them. So why give them another channel?

25-years ago me is going to roll his eyes so hard, but you know where I don't mind slightly-targeted ads? My email & my doormat. Send me a catalogue, I love a catalogue.

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#9

Post by shrubby »

reedf1 wrote: post #7

My solution to this problem was to have my phone permanently on silent. The logic being - there was nothing so urgent 25 years ago that couldn't be solved by an asynchronous answering machine message checked once a day; why do I need moment to moment updates now. Nowadays I'd probably use a tool like yours. My partner is going through legitimate withdrawal symptoms after two years of short-form content addiction. Tur…

I'm occasionally keeping my data turned off and am telling everyone "if urgent call me".

Re: Show HN: DoNotNotify – Log and intelligently block notifications on Android

#10

Post by hobofan »

This is great! Looking forward to using it. Especially the rule-based filtering function, as my biggest sore spot with notifications are the few handful of highly functional apps that stuff marketing notifications into notification groups that are not marked for marketing.
Post reply on HN