Configure Notification Settings

This guide explains how to configure Trello's notification settings to control when and how you receive updates about board activities, card changes, and team collaboration. Proper notification configuration helps you stay informed without being overwhelmed by excessive alerts.

When to Configure Notifications

Notification configuration is essential when you want to:

• Reduce notification noise while staying informed about critical updates
• Enable real-time desktop notifications for immediate awareness
• Customize which board activities trigger notifications
• Manage notification preferences across multiple boards and teams

Understanding Trello Notifications

Trello provides notifications through multiple channels:

• In-app notifications: Displayed in the notifications panel within Trello
• Email notifications: Sent to your registered email address
• Desktop notifications: Browser-based push notifications for real-time alerts

Configuring Your Notification Preferences

Follow these steps to access and customize your notification settings in Trello.

1

In the top navigation bar, locate and click the notifications icon (bell icon) to open the notifications panel. This displays recent notifications and provides access to notification settings.

2

Check the Only show unread checkbox to filter the notifications list to display only unread items. This helps you focus on new activities that require your attention.

3

Click the All notification settings link at the bottom of the notifications panel. This opens the comprehensive notification preferences page where you can configure detailed settings.

4

In the notification settings page, locate the Cards archived option. Click this toggle to enable or disable notifications when cards are archived on boards you're watching. This setting helps you track when important cards are moved out of active workflows.

Archive notifications are particularly useful for project managers who need to track workflow completion and card lifecycle management.

5

Click the Allow desktop notifications button to enable browser-based push notifications. Your browser will prompt you to grant permission for notifications from Trello. This allows you to receive real-time alerts even when Trello is not the active browser tab.

Desktop notifications require browser permission and work best when Trello is open in a browser tab. The behavior may vary depending on your browser and operating system settings.

Advanced Notification Options

Beyond the basic settings shown in the workflow, Trello offers additional notification customization options:

Email Notification Frequency

• Instantly: Receive emails immediately for each notification
• Periodically: Get batched email summaries at regular intervals
• Never: Disable email notifications entirely

Activity-Specific Notifications

• Card assignments and mentions
• Due date reminders and approaching deadlines
• Comments and collaborative activities
• Board membership changes and permission updates

Best Practices for Notification Management

Strategic Configuration

• Enable desktop notifications for high-priority boards where immediate response is critical
• Use email summaries for boards with moderate activity levels
• Disable notifications for archived projects or boards you no longer actively monitor

Avoiding Notification Overload

• Regularly review and adjust settings as your project involvement changes
• Use board-specific watching preferences rather than global settings when possible
• Consider time zones and work schedules when enabling instant notifications

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Desktop Notifications Not Working

• Check browser permissions: Ensure Trello has notification permissions in your browser settings
• Verify system settings: Some operating systems have global notification controls
• Keep Trello tab active: Desktop notifications work best when Trello is open in a browser tab

Missing Email Notifications

• Check spam/junk folders for Trello emails
• Verify your email address is correct in account settings
• Review frequency settings - periodical notifications may have delays

Security and Privacy Considerations

When configuring notifications, consider these security aspects:

• Desktop notifications may display sensitive board or card information on shared computers
• Email notifications are sent to your registered email address and subject to email security policies
• Board administrators can control notification policies for sensitive or confidential projects

Conclusion

Properly configured notifications help you stay connected to your team's work without being overwhelmed by constant alerts. By customizing your notification preferences, filtering unread items, and enabling desktop notifications selectively, you can create an optimal information flow that matches your workflow needs.

Remember to regularly review and adjust these settings as your project involvement and responsibilities change. Effective notification management is key to productive collaboration in Trello.