PopIn's notification system has two layers: tiers (how urgent something is) and channels (push, email, SMS). Open Settings → Notifications to manage both.
The four tiers
| Tier | What it covers | Default channels | Bypasses quiet hours? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 - Critical | Event cancellations, host broadcasts, security alerts | Push + Email + SMS | Yes |
| Tier 2 - High | Friend requests, RSVPs to your events, mentions, replies | Push + Email | No |
| Tier 3 - Standard | Reactions, new followers, new messages | Push only | No |
| Tier 4 - Digests | Weekly recap, reaction summary | Email only | N/A |
You can't fully disable Tier 1 - at least one channel must stay on. We're not letting you turn off "your event was cancelled" emails by accident.
The three channels
| Channel | Where it shows up | Cost to you |
|---|---|---|
| Push | Browser + installed PWA notifications | Free |
| Your inbox | Free | |
| SMS | Text message | Carrier fees may apply on your end |
If you're frequently overseas, switch Tier 1 and Tier 2 to email + push only. International SMS can be slower and less reliable than email.
Common tweaks
Quiet hours
Pauses Tier 2-4 notifications during a window you set. Default is 22:00 to 08:00 in your timezone. Tier 1 alerts still come through.
Master mute
At the top of Settings → Notifications. Kills everything except critical alerts. Useful for holidays or focus weeks.
Updates from PopIn
The "Updates from PopIn" section has two toggles for platform announcements: show them in your feed, and notify you when one drops. You can keep one on and not the other.
Per-type opt-outs
Expand the "Advanced" section for per-type controls (turn off "post reactions" specifically while keeping the rest of Tier 3 on). These layer on top of the tier × channel grid; if the tier is off, the type is off.
The "always reach me" override
On any friend's profile, tap the 3-dot menu and choose Always reach me. Their messages bypass quiet hours but nothing else changes. Useful for partners, parents, on-call situations.
Where notifications appear in-app
Even when you've turned off push/email/SMS for a type, PopIn still records the notification in your notifications list. You'll see it next time you open the page. Quiet hours and channel-offs only affect the alerts that interrupt you; nothing is ever discarded entirely.