I only use FOSS apps, so never had to block any apps from sending notifications.

none.

I think the only apps I have currently giving me notifications that aren’t permanent or semi-permanent notifications (netguard, browser, and my local music player app) are my calendar, messaging app, and a single game. I refuse to let either the number of open apps and notifications on my device pile up to more than maybe 5 each, max.

Anything time-sensitive. Emails, calls, messages, and calendar reminders. Then I have a Sleep setting that silences all of them when I go to bed.

No Ads

If a notification sends me an ad, I will block the app and also review whether I even need it. Anyone willing to shovel ads at me in my notifications is not my friend.

Other stuff is simple:

• If I need to know the information right away I allow a notification. Stuff like calls, messages, server monitoring, security, etc. Notifications that only fire when actively using or just after using an app also get to stay on if they are useful.
• If it’s not urgent, I set a reminder in my to do list to review it on a recurring basis, for example “check Mastadon, weekly, Saturday”

Follow up question: how do you handle apps that have persistent notifications?

I don’t pro actively block any of them, because I do appreciate reminders, but once something starts to get annoying, it’s cut off.

Phone is on vibrate all the time. Signal only, but also have Pushbullet set up so I can send notifications when new movies/tv show episodes are downloaded and added to my Jellyfin.

I have my phone permanently on Do Not Disturb, and anytime I have a notification I don’t like, I block the app from sending notifications.

I basically have email, Signal, and missed phone calls left over (but voice messages are blocked).

Calls, text, voice mails, my investment account when a stock sells, news alerts, when the washing machine finishes (so the load doesn’t sit there)

Calls and texts - and only through icons. Otherwise it’s do not disturb 24/7.

Like yourself, SMS and phone calls. My bank app also handles authentication of online purchases a bit better with notifications enabled. Everything else is disabled.

On desktop I have notifications for email as well as those mentioned above.

Calls, Messages, Whatsapp, Banking App, Browser (for downlods).

Sms, calls, discord, Google voice, work emails (I rarely get a work email…maybe a couple of times per month)

I have my personal Gmail to get silent notifications so I know if something happened but I’m not repeatedly spammed.

Most other things are off unless they are unobtrusive. Ex: my robot vacuum stays enabled for notifications so I know when it is done cleaning, Uber eats is enabled for order tracking but disabled for promotions

Same as OP except I also get notifications for software updates through Obtainium.

That’s on mobile, on desktop I don’t allow any notifications.