Use notifications and badges
Check desktop notification permissions and unread badges when updates are missing.
Desktop notifications need both ALLO and the operating system
ALLO can show in-app notifications, desktop notifications, and app badges, but the desktop app cannot force macOS or Windows to display them. Your ALLO notification preferences and your operating-system notification permissions both matter.
If notifications appear in ALLO's Inbox but not as system banners or badges, the issue is usually local desktop permission. If notifications are missing everywhere, check ALLO notification settings and workspace permissions first.
Availability
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Available on | All plans, subject to notification settings and permissions |
| Available for | macOS and Windows desktop app |
| Requires | ALLO notification preference and OS notification permission |
| Badge support | Depends on operating system and app permission |
| Mobile support | Mobile notifications use iOS or Android notification settings |
Check ALLO notification settings
Open your ALLO notification preferences and confirm the notifications you want are enabled. Your preferences can affect mentions, comments, inbox updates, email notifications, desktop notifications, and mobile notifications depending on the available controls.
For general notification behavior, see Manage notifications and Use Inbox.
Check macOS notification permission
On macOS, open System Settings → Notifications and find ALLO. Allow notifications if you want desktop banners. Allow badges if you want the Dock icon to show unread counts.
If you installed different ALLO builds over time, macOS may keep separate notification entries for them. Check the entry that matches the ALLO app you are currently using. If the in-app unread count is correct but the Dock badge is missing, the macOS badge permission is the first thing to inspect.
Check Windows notification permission
On Windows, open Settings → System → Notifications and confirm notifications are enabled for ALLO. Also check Focus Assist or Do Not Disturb settings, because they can silence banners even when the app is allowed.
If your organization manages Windows notification policy, ask IT whether desktop app notifications are blocked.
Badges and unread counts
Badges are local operating-system indicators. They depend on ALLO having a current unread count and the operating system allowing ALLO to show badges. The in-app Inbox is the source you should trust first. If the Inbox count is right but the Dock or taskbar badge is wrong, troubleshoot OS permissions and app version.
If the Inbox count itself looks wrong, refresh the app and check whether you are signed into the correct account and workspace.
Notifications while ALLO is closed
Desktop notification behavior can depend on whether the app is running and how your operating system handles background apps. If you need reliable notifications while away from the app, also enable email or mobile notifications where appropriate.
If you rely on mobile, see Use the mobile app for canvas review and Use comments on mobile.
Mentions, comments, and shared work
You only receive notifications for work you have access to and notification types you have enabled. If someone mentions the wrong account, uses an old email, or comments in a workspace you no longer access, notifications may not arrive as expected.
If a comment or mention exists but you cannot open it, use When you can't access work. If you can open the work but it is read-only, use When work is read-only.
Troubleshooting notifications
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| In-app notification appears, no system banner | OS notification permission is off or Do Not Disturb is active | Check macOS or Windows notification settings. |
| Inbox count appears, no Dock badge | macOS badge permission is off for the current ALLO app | Enable badges in System Settings → Notifications → ALLO. |
| No notifications anywhere | ALLO notification preference, wrong account, or no access to the work | Check ALLO settings and account email. |
| Notifications arrive on web but not desktop | Desktop app permission or version issue | Update the desktop app and check OS settings. |
| Badge count seems stale | App state needs refresh | Refresh the desktop tab or restart ALLO. |
| Company computer blocks notifications | Managed OS policy | Ask IT to allow ALLO notifications. |
When to contact support
Contact support if ALLO notification settings and OS permissions are correct but desktop notifications or badges still fail after update and restart. Include your OS, ALLO app version if visible, whether Inbox count is correct, whether banners or badges are missing, and screenshots of the OS notification permission page if possible.