Set up notifications
Choose which reminders Prior shows on each device, set quiet hours, test that they arrive, and see what reaches your inbox instead.
Prior has no push server. Each device schedules its own notifications from the data it holds, which is why reminders work offline, and why you set them up on every device where you want them.
Where the settings are
Open Settings → Notifications. The settings belong to the device you are on: the same account can ring on your phone and stay silent on your laptop.
- Reminders is the main switch for task reminders, habit reminders, mentions and assignments on this device. It is on by default. When you turn it on, your system or browser asks permission once.
- Habit reminders adds a notification at each habit's time of day, on the days it is scheduled and you have not checked in yet.
- Quiet hours holds back reminders that fall inside a window, for example overnight. Turn it on and it is set to 22:00 to 07:00. Change Quiet hours start and Quiet hours end as you like, even across midnight. A reminder inside the window waits until it ends.
- Test notification has a Send a test button. A notification "Prior notifications work" should appear in a moment. If it does not, see Reminders not firing.
What each platform does
| Where | When a reminder shows |
|---|---|
| Android | Even when Prior is closed. Prior sets system alarms that survive a restart. |
| Windows, macOS, Linux | While Prior is running, including in the background or the tray. |
| Web | While the Prior tab is open. |
What can notify you
- Task reminders. The notification shows the task's title and "Task reminder". You set the time on the task: see Reminders.
- Habit reminders, with "Time for your habit".
- @mentions in comments and tasks assigned to you by a collaborator. These show when Prior syncs, so the app has to be running.
- Planning Poker. When someone starts a session in your project, "{name} started Planning Poker" invites you to join the table.
- Focus timer. When a phase ends, you get a notification, and a chime if sound is on.
- Flashcards. A daily review reminder, off by default. In Flashcards, open Flashcards settings, turn on Daily reminder and pick the Time (it starts at 19:00). You get one notification a day, only if cards are due.
On Android and on the web, tapping a notification opens the task, the habit or the page it is about.
What reaches your email
Prior also sends emails for your account, in your language: a welcome email, address confirmation, password reset and project invitations. For a subscription, it sends an order confirmation, a notice before a trial ends, a renewal reminder before a yearly plan renews, and a notice when a payment fails or a subscription is cancelled or ends.
Good to know
- A reminder is stored as one exact moment. Two devices that both allow notifications both ring.
- Turning Reminders off stops task and habit reminders on that device. It does not stop the emails.
- If notifications are blocked, the page says "Notifications are blocked. Allow them for Prior in your system or browser settings."
Updated 5 November 2026