How-To Guides
Setting Your Notification Preferences
Control which bulletin types alert you, which channel each one uses — push notification, email, or SMS — and whether alerts fire immediately or arrive as a daily digest.
Before you start
- All users can configure their own notification preferences. Your settings don't affect other users at your agency.
- To receive SMS notifications, your mobile number must be on file in your account profile.
- Push notifications require the APBnet app or a supported browser with notifications enabled.
Steps
- 1
Open Settings from your account menu and select Notification Preferences.
Your notification settings are per-account and apply across all devices where you use APBnet.
Screenshot pending
how-to/notification-preferences-panel.pngNotification Preferences settings page showing a table of bulletin types with channel toggles (push, email, SMS) per type
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Notification Preferences settings page showing a table of bulletin types with channel toggles (push, email, SMS) per type - 2
For each bulletin type, choose your notification channel.
Bulletin types are listed in rows. For each one, toggle which channels you want active:
- Push — alert on your device immediately, even when APBnet isn't open.
- Email — sent to your account email address. Good for bulletins you want a record of.
- SMS — text message to your mobile number. Best reserved for critical bulletin types that need immediate attention.
- 3
For lower-priority types, switch from immediate to daily digest.
Instead of an alert for every bulletin, digest mode batches lower-priority bulletin types into a single daily summary. You still see everything — it just arrives once a day rather than interrupting you throughout the shift.
Screenshot pending
how-to/notification-preferences-digest.pngNotification preferences with digest mode toggled for a lower-priority bulletin type — showing the daily digest option selected
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Notification preferences with digest mode toggled for a lower-priority bulletin type — showing the daily digest option selected - 4
Save your preferences.
Changes take effect immediately across all your devices.
Tips
Reserve SMS for what actually needs it
SMS is the most interruptive channel — it goes straight to your phone regardless of what you're doing. Use it for bulletin types that genuinely require an immediate response. Using it for everything trains you to ignore it.
Digest is ideal for training and admin bulletins
Bulletin types that don't require a same-day response — training opportunities, administrative notices — are good candidates for digest mode. You'll still see them; they just won't interrupt your shift.
Subscription notifications are configured separately
Notification preferences here apply to general bulletin delivery. Subscriptions (for specific plates, people, or Photo Search candidates) have their own notification setting when you create them.
Related guides
Setting Up Subscriptions
Subscriptions have their own notification settings — configure them here.
Read the guide →
Using Clutter Controls
Reduce inbox noise at the source — clutter controls work alongside notification settings.
Read the guide →
Understanding Your Inbox
How notifications connect to the tabs where bulletins actually land.
Read the guide →