# Receiving chat space notifications

https://help.circle.so/p/chat/chat-spaces/receiving-chat-space-notifications

Category: [Chat](https://help.circle.so/p/chat) › [Chat spaces](https://help.circle.so/p/chat/chat-spaces)

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_Last updated: March 03, 2024_  
  
Efficient communication is key to building strong communities. Chat notifications play a crucial role in keeping you informed and engaged with the conversations happening in your chat spaces. In this article, we'll explore how chat notifications function and provide information on managing them effectively.  
  
Whenever you have a new activity in chat spaces, you’ll get notified in various ways, including visual cues on the web browser and mobile app, in-app notifications, and push notifications on the mobile app.

## **Desktop notifications**

Desktop notifications keep you informed about new activity in your chat spaces. When you are viewing your community using a web browser, a visual indication is displayed in the sidebar and on the threads icon for new unread activity. You can also opt-in to receive in-app notifications.

### **Sidebar notifications**

In the left sidebar, you get automated visual indications on chat space whenever you have unread messages and mentions.

> ℹ️ **Note:** Sidebar notifications on chat space names are not updated in real time and require a page refresh.

**Unread messages**

When there are unread _non-threaded_ messages in the space, the name of the chat space will appear bold in the left sidebar, with a numbered badge representing the number of unread messages.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/vc8kjktxk3ax6z7z3b09w37bkzn6)

**Unread mentions**

When you are mentioned in a parent message or a thread, the name of your chat space will appear bold in the left sidebar, along with a numbered badge in red representing the number of unread mentions. 

> ℹ️ **Note:** We prioritize numbered badges in the sidebar for mentions over unread messages when you are mentioned in the conversation. As a result, we will only display the mention count in the sidebar if there are unread mentions in the chat space.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/8uro3d2x117tfxoyiodw2ksfsbk3)

### Threads notifications

When there are unread threaded messages in the chat space or DMs, a numbered badge in red representing the number of unread threads will automatically appear on the **Threads** icon located in the community header.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/d5flgi7coi8h6bckf7mtm0npenyl)
### **In-app notifications**

When someone mentions you in a message, you will receive an in-app notification in the inbox and mentions tab that can be accessed from the **Notifications** icon located in the community header.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/q9n3hqfbxwzikqa22ffjpc3ve183)

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## **Mobile app notifications **

The Circle mobile app ensures that you stay up to date with new messages and mentions in the chat space through visual indications, in-app notifications, and push notifications.

### **In-app notifications**

When there are unread messages or mentions in the chat space, it will appear bold with a numbered badge representing the number of unread messages on the **Home** tab.  
  
Similarly, if there are any unread threaded messages or mentions, the **Threads** tab will become bold and display a numbered badge representing the number of unread messages.

Additionally, when the in-app notifications are enabled for mentions, you will also receive a notification in the inbox and mentions tab on your mobile app, which you can access by clicking the **Notifications** icon at the bottom of the app.

> ℹ️ **Note:** Similar to sidebar notification on the desktop, when you get mentioned in the conversation, we prioritize numbered badges for mentions over unread messages. Hence, we will only show the mention count over the space name when you have unread mentions in the chat space.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/685luxsyrbk6d448aa7vw1plmjtv)
### **Push notifications**

Both iOS and Android apps support push notifications for new messages and mentions within chat space.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/cy12jsgic02qrkfdqul6wcnyye6t)

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## Manage notification preferences

You can manage the notification preferences directly from the chat space or the notification settings page on your web browser.

To manage your notification preference from the chat space, click the **Notifications** icon located in the space header and choose your preferred option. Alternatively, you can click **More notifications options** in the dropdown to navigate to the notification settings page.

 ![](https://assets-v3.circle.so/qmtzrsz8xen86g57ynh9npanpfd4)

To manage your preference from the notification settings page, follow these steps:

1. Click your profile icon in the community header and select **Notifications**.

2. In the **New posts** section, locate the chat space.

3. To enable push notifications for new messages, select the checkbox next to the chat space title.

4. For managing in-app and/or push notifications for mentions, you will see the **Mentions** option under the chat space title. To enable it, select the checkbox for the corresponding column next to **Mentions**.

5. Click **Save changes**.

> 💡 **Tip:** To manage your notification preference for new chat space messages on our mobile apps, navigate to the **Notifications** tab **→** click the **Settings** icon in the top-left corner **→** select **Push notifications** option. Under the **New posts** section, enable or disable the toggle for the chat space based on your preference.

📚 To learn more about notifications, please refer to the [**Notifications**](/p/audience/notifications) space in our Help Center.

## **Relevant articles**

- [Get to know chat spaces](/p/chat/chat-spaces/get-to-know-chat-spaces)

- [Understanding chat threads](/p/chat/chat-spaces/understanding-chat-threads)

- [Customize chat space settings](/p/chat/chat-spaces/customize-chat-space-settings)