Notifications and the message tray

If an application or a system component wants to get your attention, a notification will be shown at the bottom of the screen.

For example, if you get a new chat message, plug in an external device (like a USB stick), new updates are available for your computer, or your computer’s battery is low, you will get a notification informing you.

To minimize distraction, some notifications first appear as a single line. You can move your mouse over them to see their full content.

Other notifications have selectable option buttons. To close one of these notifications without selecting one of its options, click the close button.

Clicking the close button on some notifications dismisses them. Others, like Rhythmbox or your chat application, will stay hidden in the message tray.

The message tray gives you a way to get back to your notifications when it is convenient for you. It appears when you move your mouse to the bottom-right corner of the screen, or press Super+M. The message tray contains all the notifications that you have not acted upon or that permanently reside in it.

You can view the notifications by clicking on the message tray items. These are usually messages sent by applications. However, chat notifications are given special treatment, and are represented by the individual contacts who sent you the chat messages.

You can close the message tray by pressing Super+M again or Esc.

If you're working on something and do not want to be bothered, you can switch off notifications. Just click your name on the top bar and change the Notifications toggle to OFF.

When switched off, most notifications will not pop up at the bottom of the screen. Very important notifications, such as when your battery is critically low, will still pop up. Notifications will still be available in the messaging tray when you display it (by moving your mouse to the bottom right corner, or pressing Super+M), and they will redisplay when you switch the toggle to ON again.