All about Facebook's notification dots
What's the story
The Facebook app for Android uses notification dots to indicate new activity. These small, red dots appear on the app icon or within the app next to sections with new notifications. This tutorial teaches you how to turn on and customize this feature, so you never miss an important update or message.
Enabling in Android settings
Setting up notification dots
First, verify that your device supports notification dots and that you have enabled this feature. Go to your device's Settings, locate "Apps and Notifications" or a similar category, and click on "Notifications." Find an option called "Allow Notification Dots" or something to that effect and turn it on. If you are using a custom launcher, ensure that it has the necessary permission to display notification badges.
Adjusting app settings
Configuring Facebook notifications
Tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner to open the Facebook app settings. Scroll down to "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." Tap "Notifications" on the left. Choose which activities, such as comments and tags, you want to be notified about. Make sure push notifications are turned on for your desired categories to properly enable notification dots.
Switching notification style
Displaying dots instead of numbers
Certain Android devices offer the option to switch between numeric badges and simple dots for app icons with pending notifications. To show a dot instead of a number for Facebook notifications, navigate to your device's Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > App icon badge. Select dots instead of numbers. Now, a red dot will be shown on your Facebook icon whenever there is a new activity.
Ensuring smooth operation
Troubleshooting common issues
If notification dots aren't appearing, make sure your device's software and the Facebook app are both updated. Try restarting your phone. If that doesn't work, you might need to clear the app's cache or reinstall it. Also, ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to receive notifications promptly.
Disabling specific dots (optional)
Opting out of notification dots
If you find notification dots to be overwhelming or distracting for certain types of activity within Facebook, you can disable them selectively. Simply go into the Facebook settings menu under Notifications > Notification Dots and toggle off the dots for any shortcuts where you do not wish to receive these visual alerts.