Discord is one of the most popular communication platforms for gamers, communities, and professionals alike. Staying connected with your friends and knowing when they come online or start streaming can enhance your experience, allowing you to engage with them at the right time. Fortunately, Discord provides a range of features that let you receive notifications when your friends become active on the platform.
Why Enable Notifications for Friends?
There are several reasons why you might want to be instantly notified when a friend comes online or begins streaming:
- Instant Interaction: Engage in real-time conversations when your friends are online.
- Never Miss a Stream: Get notified as soon as someone starts streaming so you can join their session.
- Stay Updated: Be aware when your closest contacts are available, avoiding unnecessary wait times.
How to Get Notified When a Friend Comes Online
By default, Discord does not send notifications when friends come online. However, you can use the “Friend Notifications” feature:
- Open Discord on your desktop or mobile device.
- Click on the Friends tab in the left sidebar.
- Locate the friend you want to receive notifications for and click on their profile.
- Next to their username, click the More Options (three dots) button.
- From the menu, select Enable Notifications.
Once enabled, you will receive a notification whenever your selected friend comes online.
How to Get Notified When a Friend Starts Streaming
If you want to be notified when your friend begins a live stream on Discord, follow these steps:
- Go to the Friends tab on Discord.
- Find your friend’s username and open their profile.
- Click on the More Options button next to their name.
- Select Turn on Go Live Notifications.
With this setting enabled, you will receive a notification whenever your friend starts a stream in a voice channel.
Using Discord Bots for Advanced Notifications
In addition to the built-in features, you can use third-party bots for more advanced notification controls. Some popular Discord bots that offer notification features include:
- MEE6: Can send automatic messages when users come online or start streaming.
- Dyno Bot: Offers custom alerts for friends and server members.
- NotiBot: Specifically designed to alert you when selected friends become active.
If you want a more customizable experience, setting up a bot might be a great option.
Ensuring You Receive Notifications
Even after enabling notifications, you may sometimes miss them due to system settings. To ensure you receive alerts, follow these troubleshooting steps:
Check Discord Notification Settings
- Click on User Settings (gear icon) in the lower-left corner.
- Go to Notifications.
- Make sure Enable Desktop Notifications is turned on.
- Verify that Friend Activity Notifications and Go Live Notifications are enabled.
Check Operating System Settings
For Windows and Mac users, system notification settings might block Discord notifications:
- On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications & Actions and ensure Discord notifications are enabled.
- On Mac, open System Preferences > Notifications and check if Discord is allowed to send alerts.
Check Server-Specific Settings
If you are trying to receive notifications for a friend in a server, make sure you have notifications enabled for that server:
- Right-click on the server name.
- Go to Notification Settings.
- Set notifications for All Messages or specific users.
Conclusion
Staying updated with your friends’ activities on Discord enhances your ability to engage with them in real time. By enabling built-in notifications or using third-party bots, you can ensure you never miss out when they come online or start streaming. Taking the time to configure these settings properly will make your Discord experience even more seamless and connected.