This is the notification manager Google should’ve built for Android years ago

Notifications have become an integral part of our digital existence, often straddling the line between necessity and annoyance. As Google prepares to enhance notification management in Android 16, many users are seeking immediate solutions. One such solution is Buzzkill, an app designed to help users regain control over their notification experience.

What is Buzzkill, and what does it do?

Buzzkill is a premium application that I have personally relied on for several years. It empowers users to manage the incessant barrage of notifications that can disrupt daily life. At its core, Buzzkill operates on a system of customizable “rules” that allow users to dictate how their devices respond to various notifications. Imagine Buzzkill as a streamlined version of Tasker, but with a laser focus on notification management.

The app’s functionality revolves around three key components: the application sending the notification, the content of that notification, and the specific action that Buzzkill should take. This allows the app to monitor incoming notifications and respond accordingly when certain criteria are met.

Buzzkill offers a diverse array of actions to help users manage their notifications. These include:

  • Dismiss: Automatically clears a notification.
  • Secret: Obfuscates the content of a notification.
  • Speak: Reads the notification aloud.
  • Trigger device functions: Such as activating the flashlight or sending automated replies.

With 25 available actions, including the ability to initiate a Tasker recipe, the potential for customization is vast. Despite its complexity, Buzzkill’s user-friendly interface makes rule creation accessible, even for those unfamiliar with automation apps. The app also features a selection of pre-made rules, which can be explored easily through its intuitive interface.

How I use Buzzkill to make my smartphone a calmer place

My approach to utilizing Buzzkill is an ongoing process of refinement. I continuously adjust rules to suppress spam, prioritize important notifications, and enhance visibility for critical alerts. Here are some specific rules I have implemented:

Suppress Messages spam

In South Africa, spam SMS messages are a prevalent issue. While Google Messages often allows these through unchecked, Buzzkill effectively suppresses notifications from unwanted sources.

  • The rule: When I receive a notification from Messages containing “Stop,” “Opt,” “Insurance,” “Congratulations,” or “Dial,” then dismiss immediately.

I never miss a loved one’s message

To ensure I don’t overlook important messages from family or my partner, I set Buzzkill to sound a specific notification tone that repeats every minute until I acknowledge it.

  • The rule: When I receive a notification from WhatsApp containing my partner’s name, remind me with default vibration and Disco Toms every 60 seconds until dismissed.

Copy OTPs and dismiss the notification

Buzzkill simplifies the process of handling one-time PINs by automatically copying them to my clipboard and dismissing the notification once completed.

  • The rule: When I receive a notification from Messages containing “otp,” then copy verification code and dismiss.

Creating my own news digest

To manage the flood of notifications from Google News, I configure the app to batch notifications and only deliver them every few hours, creating a concise news digest.

  • The rule: When I receive a notification from Google News, then batch every 2 hours.

Your watch is ready to wear

Buzzkill also enhances my smartwatch experience by notifying me when my watch is fully charged, ensuring I never miss the moment it’s ready to wear.

  • The rule: When I receive a notification from Galaxy Watch Manager containing “Watch battery fully charged,” then custom alert with default vibration and Beep-Beep.

Quieten noisy WhatsApp groups

For particularly chatty WhatsApp groups, I use Buzzkill to cool down notifications, preventing my phone from incessantly beeping during busy discussions.

  • The rule: When I receive a notification from WhatsApp containing my building’s group, then cooldown that app for 2 minutes.

Managing notifications is a necessary, recurring chore

These rules have significantly reduced the noise from notifications on my device, but the journey doesn’t end here. Buzzkill is a powerful tool, yet it requires regular updates and adjustments to remain effective. The app’s History tab is particularly useful, allowing me to review past notifications and refine my rules based on usage patterns. This feature helps identify problematic apps and peak notification times, enabling further optimizations across my Android settings.

While Buzzkill is not a free app, its price of .99 is a reasonable investment for the level of control it provides. As Android continues to evolve, the absence of integrated notification automation has left a gap that Buzzkill fills admirably, making it an essential companion for anyone looking to streamline their digital experience.

AppWizard
This is the notification manager Google should’ve built for Android years ago