Android Notification Settings Guide: Stop Zomato, Flipkart & Bank Spam (Keep OTPs)

Yesterday, between 2 PM and 4 PM, my phone buzzed 70 times. One notification was from my friend. The other 69? A “Bhook lagi hai? & It’s raining, time for chai!” pitch from Zomato (Winter Mai Barish upar se zomato k notifications), a “last chance” deal from Flipkart, and HDFC Bank’s 17th “pre-approved loan” offer of the day. Sound familiar?

We’re drowning in digital noise. You order food once, and Zomato or Swiggy thinks it’s a relationship. You install a bank app for UPI, and it morphs into a relentless loan salesman.

The worst part? You feel you can’t fight back. If you block these apps entirely, you miss the critical alerts: the delivery driver’s call, the “Out for Delivery” update, the fraud alert, or the all-important OTP.

For years, I just suffered through the spam. Then I discovered how to perform a “surgical strike” on my notifications. The result? My phone now only buzzes when it actually matters. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Android Notification Channels

The magic lies in a built-in Android feature called Notification Channels. It forces apps to sort their alerts into categories. The app developers must separate the “Important” (Orders, Transactions, Security) from the “Annoying” (Marketing, Deals, Recommendations).

You don’t have to mute the whole app. You can precisely disable the spammy channels while leaving the essential ones active.

The 2-Minute Fix

1. Wait for a spam notification to arrive.

2. Long-press it for 2 seconds.

3. Tap “Settings” or “Turn off notifications.”

4. In the menu, switch OFF channels named “Promotions,” “Offers,” “Deals,” etc., while keeping ON “Orders,” “Transactions,” or “Alerts.”

Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s break down the “surgical strike.” You don’t need to dig through confusing settings menus.

Step 1: Let the Spam Arrive
Don’t swipe away the next promotional alert from Myntra, Swiggy, or your bank. We’ll use it as our entry point.

Step 2: The Long-Press
Press and hold that specific notification for about two seconds. A menu will pop up.

Step 3: Dive into Settings
Tap “Settings” (or sometimes “Turn off notifications”). This won’t block everything – it takes you to the control room for that app’s alerts.

Step 4: The Magic Toggle Menu
You’ll now see a list of all the notification channels that app uses. This is where you take control.

What to Turn OFF

Based on doing this for dozens of apps, here are the exact channels to target. Channel names can vary slightly, but you’ll get the idea.

Food Delivery (Zomato, Swiggy)

• KEEP ON: Order Updates, Delivery

• TURN OFF: Promotions, Marketing, Recommendations, Fun Facts (Yes, really.)

E-Commerce (Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Meesho)

• KEEP ON: Your Orders, Shipment Updates, Delivery Alerts

• TURN OFF: Deals & Recommendations, Special Offers, Price Drop Alerts (your choice - I dont need it), Seller Updates, Marketing Messages

Bank Apps (HDFC, SBI, ICICI, Kotak, etc.)

• KEEP ON: Transaction Alerts, Security Alerts, UPI Notifications

• TURN OFF: Offers, Product Updates, Loan Offers, Offer Zone, Marketing Communications

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about a channel, turn it off and see what you miss. You can always go to Phone Settings > Apps > Notifications to find and re-enable it. Some aggressive apps might slip a promo into a transactional channel – if that happens, your nuclear option is to mute the whole app and rely on SMS/call for critical info.

FAQ & Pro Tips

Q: Will this affect my OTPs and important alerts?
A: No, that’s the beauty! OTPs, payment confirmations, and delivery alerts almost always come through separate “Transaction” or “Security” channels. You’re only silencing the marketing categories.

Q: Do I need a special app or a rooted phone?
A: Not at all. This is a core Android feature (from Android 8.0 Oreo and up). No special permissions needed.

Q: What if an app doesn’t show these channels?
A: Some older or poorly developed apps might not use channels. Your only option then is to control the app’s notifications as a whole block (less precise).

Q: What about iPhone users?
A:  I don’t have an iPhone 😏

Q: Do I have to do this for every single app?
A: Yes, but you only do it once per app. Take 5 minutes today for your top 5 spam offenders. The peace you gain lasts forever.

Take Back Your Attention

I did this for my HDFC Bank app six months ago. I haven’t seen a single loan offer since. The silence on a Flipkart sale day is beautiful. My phone is now a tool, not a slot machine vying for my attention every five minutes.

This isn’t just about silencing notifications. It’s about setting boundaries with the digital world. You’re telling these apps, “You can inform me, but you don’t get to interrupt me.”

Spend those two minutes per app. The feeling of control is incredible. Now, go enjoy the quiet – your real lunch break, free from a buzz about chai, awaits.

Did this guide help you reclaim your peace? Bookmark this page and share it with a friend drowning in spam. For more tips on taking control of your digital life, check out my post on “Don’t Buy a New Phone Yet. Change These Two Settings First.”