Change Notification Grouping in OS X - Guide
Managing Notifications in OS X
Users of the macOS operating system are generally acquainted with its notification system. Throughout the day, it provides alerts for news updates, incoming messages, and various system events.
A customizable feature often overlooked is the ability to modify how these notifications are grouped within OS X.
Default Notification Grouping
By default, OS X arranges notifications based on the most recent activity. This arrangement works well for those consistently at their computers and promptly viewing alerts.
However, if you are away from your workstation for an extended period, reviewing the entire list to catch up on missed notifications can become cumbersome.
Changing the Notification Sort Order
The notification behavior can be altered by accessing OS X's System Preferences and selecting "Notifications".
Within the Notifications preferences, a dropdown menu labeled "Notification Center sort order" is located at the bottom of the panel.
Sorting by App and Recency
Selecting "Recents by App" as the sort order organizes notifications by application, then by the most recent notification from each app.
For instance, if The New York Times sent a notification at 5:31 PM yesterday, it will be displayed as the most recent from that application, followed by Apple Mail's alert at 3:54 PM, and so on.
The Notification Center will then consolidate each app’s notifications, presenting them together.
Manual App Grouping
An alternative sorting method involves manually grouping notifications by app, which many users may find preferable.
This allows you to prioritize and ensure that the most important notifications are consistently displayed at the top.
To manually sort app groups, simply click and drag the apps in the left sidebar into your desired order.
As an example, Slack and Safari notifications can be positioned at the top, guaranteeing that alerts from these applications are always readily visible.
Further Customization
You can continue to arrange apps based on your individual importance ranking.
Furthermore, you retain the ability to modify the behavior of each app individually, including the option to disable notifications entirely for applications you rarely use or from which you do not wish to receive alerts.
Related: How to Turn Safari Website Notifications On or Off
Benefits of Customization
With these newly acquired sorting capabilities, the OS X Notification Center will undoubtedly become a more valuable tool.
By tailoring the notification order to your preferences, you can be confident in never overlooking crucial information.