Balancing work focus with staying informed is no easy task, especially when constant notifications disrupt workflow. Whether it’s personal messages or workplace updates, an overflow of alerts—especially from active group chats or multiple professional apps—can be overwhelming.
Android 16 introduces Notification Cooldown, a feature designed to gradually lower the volume of repeated notifications from the same app. Initially tested in Android 15’s early builds but removed from the final release, it has now returned in the first Developer Preview of Android 16.
How to Enable Notification Cooldown
This feature ensures that while the first notification from an app sounds at full volume, subsequent alerts within a short period become progressively quieter. To activate it:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll to Notifications and select it.
- Under the General section, find Notification Cooldown.
- Toggle the switch to enable it.
Availability and Considerations
Currently, Notification Cooldown is only accessible in the Android 16 Developer Preview, available for select Pixel phones and the Pixel Tablet. It is advisable to wait for the public beta, as the Developer Preview may contain bugs and performance issues.
This feature does not affect critical alerts such as calls, alarms, reminders, or priority messages. Additionally, silenced notifications remain accessible—they are grouped under an app’s notification banner in the notification shade. Users can tap the banner to view all alerts in order.
By reducing notification interruptions while preserving important alerts, Notification Cooldown offers a more streamlined and less intrusive way to stay informed.
