I had the same problem of it unsubscribing me. I tried switching my overall newsletter delivery to both email and app, but that still gave me the unsubscribe warning when I tried to switch a newsletter to app only. And I worry that will be linked to the other thing I dislike about the substack app. I get way too many notifications even though I swear I have all the notifications disabled. I don’t want an app notification when someone publishes a new post.
No because a subscription makes sure that the newsletter hits your subscription feed on your Substack homepage. On desktop, go to Substack.com and look at the left sidebar. You'll see the second option down says "Subscriptions". Those are who you're subscribed to.
Sammie, are you on the app? Because one option is to receive newsletters only in the app. I don’t know if you can decide that individually though. And I think, although I’m not sure, if you are not on the app, changing the toggle will unsubscribe you. Please be warned that the app, like Substack in general, is not designed in an intuitive manner. It can be very confusing. And sometimes they move things!
Her links are to the desktop, and are where those settings show up. And I'm getting the same message--that turning off the Posts option will unsubscribe me. Going into the app didn't help.
I'm seeing the same thing in the desktop app: either all the notifications I keep will show in my email inbox, or all the notifications I keep will go to the app. (Or, horrors, I can have them all in both places!) I can turn off some notifications -- for the sub-newsletters or podcasts -- but I can't see how to have some notifications only come to email and others stay in the app.
Hmmmm this is so weird because I've even confirmed by asking the chatbot (although, AI doesn't win every time lol). I think I'll have to try revamping this post after doing some more research.
I think the chatbot is full of it, honestly. (And I think I've had dodgy interactions with it before, so that fits.) There is an area under the list of Way Too Many Subscriptions that *looks* like a general setting... but doesn't seem to be. I'm not sure what's up with that. It sure would be nice to be able to set this globally.
This is such a useful feature. I generally prefer to read everything in the app but there are a couple of Substacks that I want to make sure I don't miss, so they get to come into my inbox
Kristie, I just want to clarify something because this part is a bit confusing. The toggle you mentioned actually unsubscribes you from the publication. Substack even shows a warning when you switch it.
The option you’re looking for is just above it: “Get posts delivered in the Substack app instead.”
Click “Change Settings” next to it.
On the next screen, look for the Delivery Preference drop-down. You’ll see three choices:
Prefer Email
Prefer App
Prefer Both Email and App
If I choose my preference there, it works perfectly.
Weird. When I did it, it had the same effect on all subscriptions. I checked back and forth quite a few times. Will try later from my laptop and will keep you posted.
Seriously. About time. Thanks for the info I had turned them all off and then struggled to keep up with the people who I definitely wanted to read all the time. Finally an option.🙏🏼
Not as easy as it should be though. When I followed the instructions, all the ones I wanted were already ticked off as going to my inbox, but they don’t. Maybe because choosing “app only” in preferences superceded that individual choice? We’ll see…always an adventure to be had in Substacklandia.
I had the same problem of it unsubscribing me. I tried switching my overall newsletter delivery to both email and app, but that still gave me the unsubscribe warning when I tried to switch a newsletter to app only. And I worry that will be linked to the other thing I dislike about the substack app. I get way too many notifications even though I swear I have all the notifications disabled. I don’t want an app notification when someone publishes a new post.
I wish there was some way to organize my reading in the app!
Now the file tray in my app looks like my inbox used to… not encouraging 😟.
Ditto! It’s overwhelming for sure!
About time! Thank you for sharing!
Using the option to toggle off receiving newsletters in the inbox but remaining subscribed...isn’t this the same as "following?"
No because a subscription makes sure that the newsletter hits your subscription feed on your Substack homepage. On desktop, go to Substack.com and look at the left sidebar. You'll see the second option down says "Subscriptions". Those are who you're subscribed to.
When I toggle off as you have shown and suggested, I get a message: “You will be unsubscribed.” Are you sure?
Now when I toggle off I get a message:"This will unsuscribe you. Are you sure?
Sammie, are you on the app? Because one option is to receive newsletters only in the app. I don’t know if you can decide that individually though. And I think, although I’m not sure, if you are not on the app, changing the toggle will unsubscribe you. Please be warned that the app, like Substack in general, is not designed in an intuitive manner. It can be very confusing. And sometimes they move things!
Her links are to the desktop, and are where those settings show up. And I'm getting the same message--that turning off the Posts option will unsubscribe me. Going into the app didn't help.
I'm seeing the same thing in the desktop app: either all the notifications I keep will show in my email inbox, or all the notifications I keep will go to the app. (Or, horrors, I can have them all in both places!) I can turn off some notifications -- for the sub-newsletters or podcasts -- but I can't see how to have some notifications only come to email and others stay in the app.
Hmmmm this is so weird because I've even confirmed by asking the chatbot (although, AI doesn't win every time lol). I think I'll have to try revamping this post after doing some more research.
I think the chatbot is full of it, honestly. (And I think I've had dodgy interactions with it before, so that fits.) There is an area under the list of Way Too Many Subscriptions that *looks* like a general setting... but doesn't seem to be. I'm not sure what's up with that. It sure would be nice to be able to set this globally.
Thank you. I will check out this possibility.
Thank you. Still learning.🤭
So what is the difference with "following?"
When you follow someone, the algorithm feeds you more of their notes, etc. When you subscribe, you're receiving their newsletters.
Thanks Kristi my inbox desperately needs a declutter!
This is cool! Now I know, and will proceed. ;)
Thank you for saving my sanity. Much as I love reading, I can’t cope with the contents of my inbox!
Hmmm I'll have to go back in and look because when I toggle it off I didn't see any type of warning that I'd be unsubscribed.
I don't know why they need to make things so complicated lol
I didn’t know about this. There is so much I don’t know about substack settings. Thanks so much!
You're welcome! The thing about Substack is that even when you think you finally know everything, they change it 😁
This is such a useful feature. I generally prefer to read everything in the app but there are a couple of Substacks that I want to make sure I don't miss, so they get to come into my inbox
Kristie, I just want to clarify something because this part is a bit confusing. The toggle you mentioned actually unsubscribes you from the publication. Substack even shows a warning when you switch it.
The option you’re looking for is just above it: “Get posts delivered in the Substack app instead.”
Click “Change Settings” next to it.
On the next screen, look for the Delivery Preference drop-down. You’ll see three choices:
Prefer Email
Prefer App
Prefer Both Email and App
If I choose my preference there, it works perfectly.
Your method changes all one's settings across the board -- I just checked.
But does it work for individual Substacks or change your settings in general? I had the same issue -- the toggle unsubscribed me.
Yes it does. I have changed some to Prefer Email and others to Prefer App.
Weird. When I did it, it had the same effect on all subscriptions. I checked back and forth quite a few times. Will try later from my laptop and will keep you posted.
Thanks Kristi, will definitely look into this tip!
Hal. A. Loo. Yah.
Seriously. About time. Thanks for the info I had turned them all off and then struggled to keep up with the people who I definitely wanted to read all the time. Finally an option.🙏🏼
Yessss that was exactly my problem too!
Not as easy as it should be though. When I followed the instructions, all the ones I wanted were already ticked off as going to my inbox, but they don’t. Maybe because choosing “app only” in preferences superceded that individual choice? We’ll see…always an adventure to be had in Substacklandia.
Ohhhh no...I wonder if you just foiled my discovery! Hmmm, now I need to experiment 😳
I totally appreciate these tips, thank you!
That’s a really good tip! But your screenshots are making me blush 😆
Heehee. Every little boost counts!