Apple Intelligence Enables Priority Notifications on Select iPhones
Key Points
- Priority Notifications highlights important alerts on Apple Intelligence‑enabled iPhones.
- Available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 lineup, and iPhone 17 lineup.
- Introduced with iOS 18.4.
- Enable via Settings → Notifications → Prioritize Notifications.
- Select specific apps to receive priority status.
- Priority alerts appear in a separate lock‑screen section.
- Full notification list remains accessible by swiping up.
- Feature works only on supported Apple Intelligence devices.
Apple Intelligence-powered iPhones such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 lineup, and iPhone 17 lineup can now surface important alerts through Priority Notifications. Introduced with iOS 18.4, the feature places selected app notifications in a dedicated section on the lock screen, keeping them visible above routine updates. Users activate it via Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and choose which apps receive priority status. While the feature highlights key messages, users can still swipe up to view the full notification list. Priority Notifications currently work only on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone models.
What Is Priority Notifications?
Priority Notifications is a new capability that lets Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones highlight alerts deemed important. When activated, the system creates a separate area on the lock screen where notifications from chosen apps appear near the top of the stack, making them easier to notice amid routine updates from other sources.
Supported Devices
The feature is available on iPhone models that include Apple Intelligence, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 lineup, and the iPhone 17 lineup. Only these devices can access Priority Notifications at this time.
How It Works
Once enabled, Priority Notifications pulls messages and alerts from apps you designate as important. These alerts appear in a distinct section on the lock screen, separate from the standard notification feed. This design helps users catch up on critical information without scrolling through less urgent updates such as ring alerts or news headlines.
Enabling the Feature
To turn on Priority Notifications, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Select Prioritize Notifications.
4. Toggle the switch next to Prioritize Notifications to the on position.
After activation, a list of apps appears, allowing you to enable or disable priority status for each one. Choose the apps whose notifications you want to prioritize.
Using the Feature
When Priority Notifications is active, important alerts appear at the top of the lock‑screen view, while the rest of your notifications remain accessible by swiping up. This ensures that high‑priority messages are visible first, but you still retain full access to the complete notification history.
Limitations
The feature is limited to Apple Intelligence‑enabled iPhones. Devices lacking this hardware or software capability cannot use Priority Notifications. Additionally, the selection of priority apps is manual; users must decide which apps deserve elevated visibility.
Overall Impact
Priority Notifications aims to reduce notification overload by surfacing the most relevant alerts. By giving users control over which apps receive priority status, Apple hopes to improve the lock‑screen experience and help users stay on top of important communications without being distracted by less critical updates.