iOS 15, launched way back in June 2021, brought a slew of fresh features to iPhone users, with time-sensitive notifications standing out as a significant upgrade. Particularly for Snapchat users, this feature offers an efficient way to stay informed about pressing messages, even when most notifications are muted due to a Focus mode.
With the unveiling of iOS 15, Apple introduced a new tool known as Focus mode. This feature allows users to select who can contact them and which apps can send notifications during specific times or while you are doing certain activities or tasks. It's a practical solution for managing notifications while you are doing things like working, exercising or sleeping.
The relevance of time-sensitive notifications for Snapchat
While limiting distractions is beneficial, it's important not to overlook certain critical notifications. For instance, an important Snapchat message might require immediate attention. This is where time-sensitive notifications come into play, striking a balance between blocking non-essential notifications and prioritizing vital ones.
Time-sensitive notifications bypass your set Focus modes and stay on your Lock Screen for an hour, ensuring you will notice them.
Distinguishing notification types in iOS
Apple sorts notification disruptions into four categories: passive, active, time-sensitive, and critical. Understanding these can help you manage your notifications more effectively.
Passive notifications, requiring no immediate action, are delivered silently without triggering sounds, vibrations, or lighting up the screen. Active notifications, on the other hand, are conventional alerts that trigger sounds and vibrations, illuminating the screen.
Time-sensitive notifications, the type we're focusing on, alert you in the same way as active notifications. However, they can also break through your Focus mode and Notification Summary settings, making sure you always notice them. This is particularly useful for Snapchat users keen not to miss important messages.
Critical notifications, the highest priority alerts, can even override the silent switch on your phone. These are intended for significant events like severe weather alerts or local safety warnings. Due to their critical nature, Apple grants only specific apps the permission to deliver these notifications.
Enable or Disable time-sensitive notifications
If you'd like to enable or disable time-sensitive notifications for Snapchat, or any other app that uses them, just follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap on Notifications.
- Scroll down and find the app you want to change the notification settings for - in this case, Snapchat.
- Make sure that "Allow Notifications" is green.
- Toggle "Time-Sensitive Notifications" on or off as below.
