New Android App Blocks Abusive Notifications Locally

A new application named DoNotNotify has been developed to combat the growing problem of abusive notifications on Android devices. The developer reported that while the Android operating system offers notification channels, many applications either ignore these features or intentionally abuse them to push advertisements. A specific example cited involves the MyGate app, which pushes ads through channels that cannot be easily blocked by standard system settings.

The application works by logging all incoming notifications and displaying them grouped by the originating app. It captures the actions behind these notifications, allowing users to trigger them directly from the app interface. Based on this data, users can create custom rules to whitelist or blacklist notifications depending on their content. The app supports regular expression (regex) filters for complex use cases and includes pre-defined rules for major platforms like Facebook, Amazon, Instagram, Netflix, TikTok, and Reddit. The application runs entirely on the device, requires no internet connection, and is completely free with no advertisements.

Android users frequently face the challenge of managing notifications from a wide array of installed applications. While the operating system provides tools to categorize and silence alerts, the implementation varies significantly across different apps. The developer behind DoNotNotify highlighted that many applications intentionally bypass these systems to ensure their advertisements reach the user.

The primary motivation for the app's creation was a specific frustration with the MyGate application. This app is commonly used in gated communities to manage visitor access. However, the developer noted that MyGate intentionally pushes ads through the same notification channels used for critical security alerts. Because these channels are bundled, users cannot block the ads without blocking essential notifications, creating a significant user experience issue.

DoNotNotify offers a granular approach to notification management by acting as a filter between the system and the user. The app logs every incoming notification, providing a comprehensive history of alerts received by the device. These logs are organized by application, making it easy to identify which apps are generating the most noise.

Key features of the application include:

• Notification Logging: Records all incoming alerts and groups them by app.
• Action Capture: Captures the action behind a notification, allowing it to be triggered manually from the app.
• Rule Creation: Users can create whitelist or blacklist rules based on the content of the notification.
• Regex Support: Advanced users can use regular expressions to filter notifications with complex criteria.

For immediate usability, the app ships with pre-configured rules for popular applications. These include social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, e-commerce sites like Amazon, and entertainment services like Netflix, TikTok, and Reddit.

A major focus of DoNotNotify is user privacy and data security. Unlike many third-party utility apps, DoNotNotify runs purely on the user's device. It does not communicate with external servers or the internet in any capacity. This local processing ensures that notification data never leaves the phone.

The application is distributed completely free of charge. The developer explicitly stated there are no hidden costs, in-app purchases, or advertising within the tool. To function, the app requires standard notification access permissions, which allow it to read and intercept alerts before they are fully displayed to the user. The project is available for download via its official website.

DoNotNotify is currently available through its dedicated website. The setup process involves granting the app notification access, which is a standard permission request on the Android platform. Once installed, users can immediately begin reviewing their notification history and setting up filters.

The application represents a shift toward user-controlled notification management, moving away from the rigid, app-defined structures imposed by many developers. By providing tools to analyze and block specific content types, it offers a solution for users dealing with the MyGate ad issue or similar notification abuses.