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The notification "Bubble" is a feature introduced in Android 11 that works like Facebook Messenger's "Chat Heads." Conversations can be popped-out into windows that overlay your current activity. If you don't want to use Bubbles, it can be disabled.

Bubbles are an opt-out feature, meaning they're enabled by default. When an app presents a Bubble for the first time, you'll have the option to turn off Bubbles for that specific app. If you'd like, it's also possible to turn off Bubbles for all apps entirely.

Disable Bubbles for Specific Apps

On your Android phone or tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen (once or twice depending on your device's manufacturer), and then tap the Gear icon to open the "Settings" menu.

android settings menu

Scroll down and select "Apps and Notifications."

select apps and notifications

At the top of the screen, select "See all (X) Apps," where "X" is the number of apps you have.

select all apps

Tap the app you don't want to use Bubbles.

find an app from the list

Select "Notifications."

select notifications

Finally, tap "Bubbles."

select bubbles

Switch the setting to "Nothing Can Bubble."

choose nothing can bubble

Now, whenever you receive a new message in that app, you'll no longer see a Bubble.

Disable Bubbles for Specific Conversations

When an app supports Bubbles, you'll see a little icon in the bottom-right corner of the notification. Tap it to move the conversation to a floating window.

android notification with bubbles

Tap "Manage" under the pop-up window.

manage bubbles

This opens a context menu of options for the app. Tap "Don't Bubble Conversation" to disable Bubbles for this specific conversation.

select don't bubble conversation

Disable Bubbles Entirely

If you'd rather disable the notification Bubbles for all apps, you can do that, too! On your Android phone or tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen (once or twice depending on your device), and then tap the Gear icon to open the "Settings" menu.

android settings menu

Select "Apps and Notifications."

select apps and notifications

Next, tap "Notifications."

select notifications

In the top section, tap "Bubbles."

select bubbles

Toggle-Off the switch for "Allow Apps to Show Bubbles."

don't allow apps to show bubbles

Now, no apps will be able to use Bubbles. You can return to this screen any time to re-enable the Bubbles feature.