diff --git a/e2e/customer-journeys.spec.ts b/e2e/customer-journeys.spec.ts
index 15f341e..e76acb1 100644
--- a/e2e/customer-journeys.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/customer-journeys.spec.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "../src/services/notifications/in-app";
 import { SEEDED, completeBookingFlow, completeRescheduleFlow, findAppointmentCard, signIn, uniqueEmail } from "./helpers";
 
 /**
@@ -166,6 +167,8 @@ test.describe("customer booking journeys", () => {
   });
 
   test("7. booking confirmation creates an in-app notification the customer can read and mark read", async ({ page }) => {
+    test.skip(!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE, "In-app notifications are hidden — see src/features/notifications/in-app.ts");
+
     await signIn(page, SEEDED.registeredCustomer.email);
 
     await page.goto("/book");
diff --git a/e2e/staff-journeys.spec.ts b/e2e/staff-journeys.spec.ts
index ca06cf5..439186a 100644
--- a/e2e/staff-journeys.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/staff-journeys.spec.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
 import { createPool } from "mariadb";
 import { buildMysqlPoolConfig } from "../src/lib/db/mysql-pool-config";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "../src/services/notifications/in-app";
 import { SEEDED, completeStaffBookingFlow, signIn } from "./helpers";
 
 /**
@@ -240,6 +241,8 @@ test.describe.serial("barber operations journeys", () => {
   });
 
   test("10. barber receives a new-booking notification", async ({ page }) => {
+    test.skip(!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE, "In-app notifications are hidden — see src/features/notifications/in-app.ts");
+
     // Deliberately books its own fresh appointment rather than relying on journey 3's — every
     // other independent journey in this file follows that same "book a fresh appointment first"
     // rule (see this file's header comment), and this one was the exception, which made it fail
diff --git a/public/sw.js b/public/sw.js
index 05f5371..1ae84d1 100644
--- a/public/sw.js
+++ b/public/sw.js
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@
 // balances) — caching that would risk serving stale or, worse, another
 // user's data. So this file does NOT try to make the booking flow work
 // offline. What it does do:
-//   - Push notifications (`push`/`notificationclick` — unchanged from the
-//     original Phase 7 push-notifications work).
+//   - Push notifications (`push`/`notificationclick`), plus an app-icon
+//     badge number counting the ones still unread (see updateAppBadge).
 //   - Precache + serve a small static app shell (offline fallback page,
 //     manifest, icons) so a lost connection shows a real "you're offline"
 //     screen instead of the browser's own dinosaur/error page.
@@ -92,6 +92,34 @@ self.addEventListener("message", (event) => {
   if (event.data?.type === "SKIP_WAITING") self.skipWaiting();
 });
 
+/**
+ * App-icon badge = how many of this app's push notifications are still
+ * sitting in the notification shelf. Counting what the OS is actually
+ * showing (instead of a stored counter) means nothing needs persisting —
+ * a service worker can be stopped at any moment, losing in-memory state.
+ * The page clears the badge and the shelf when the app is opened (see
+ * service-worker-manager.tsx).
+ *
+ * Needs the Badging API: installed PWAs on Android/desktop Chrome and
+ * Home Screen web apps on iOS 16.4+. Everywhere else this is a no-op.
+ */
+async function updateAppBadge() {
+  if (!("setAppBadge" in self.navigator)) return;
+  try {
+    const count = (await self.registration.getNotifications()).length;
+    if (count > 0) await self.navigator.setAppBadge(count);
+    else await self.navigator.clearAppBadge();
+  } catch {
+    // Badging is cosmetic — never let it break showing the notification.
+  }
+}
+
+/** True when the app is open and in front of the person — a badge on the icon is pointless (and stale the moment they leave) then. */
+async function appIsInForeground() {
+  const windows = await self.clients.matchAll({ type: "window", includeUncontrolled: true });
+  return windows.some((client) => client.visibilityState === "visible");
+}
+
 self.addEventListener("push", (event) => {
   if (!event.data) return;
 
@@ -114,7 +142,13 @@ self.addEventListener("push", (event) => {
     badge: "/icons/icon-192.png",
   };
 
-  event.waitUntil(self.registration.showNotification(title, options));
+  event.waitUntil(
+    self.registration
+      .showNotification(title, options)
+      .then(async () => {
+        if (!(await appIsInForeground())) await updateAppBadge();
+      }),
+  );
 });
 
 self.addEventListener("notificationclick", (event) => {
@@ -122,11 +156,14 @@ self.addEventListener("notificationclick", (event) => {
   const url = event.notification.data?.url || "/";
 
   event.waitUntil(
-    self.clients.matchAll({ type: "window", includeUncontrolled: true }).then((clientList) => {
-      for (const client of clientList) {
-        if (client.url.includes(url) && "focus" in client) return client.focus();
-      }
-      if (self.clients.openWindow) return self.clients.openWindow(url);
-    }),
+    Promise.all([
+      updateAppBadge(),
+      self.clients.matchAll({ type: "window", includeUncontrolled: true }).then((clientList) => {
+        for (const client of clientList) {
+          if (client.url.includes(url) && "focus" in client) return client.focus();
+        }
+        if (self.clients.openWindow) return self.clients.openWindow(url);
+      }),
+    ]),
   );
 });
diff --git a/src/app/(customer)/notifications/page.tsx b/src/app/(customer)/notifications/page.tsx
index 1d82a43..ea23c7c 100644
--- a/src/app/(customer)/notifications/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(customer)/notifications/page.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,20 @@
 import type { Metadata } from "next";
 import Link from "next/link";
+import { notFound } from "next/navigation";
 import { auth } from "@/auth";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { TopNav } from "@/components/navigation/top-nav";
 import { prisma } from "@/lib/db/prisma";
 import { listInAppNotifications } from "@/services/notifications/notification.service";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "@/services/notifications/in-app";
 import { NotificationList } from "@/features/notifications/components/notification-list";
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "Notifications" };
 export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
 
 export default async function CustomerNotificationsPage() {
+  if (!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE) notFound();
+
   const session = await auth();
 
   if (!session?.user) {
diff --git a/src/app/(owner)/owner/notifications/page.tsx b/src/app/(owner)/owner/notifications/page.tsx
index 131bc97..310fa2f 100644
--- a/src/app/(owner)/owner/notifications/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(owner)/owner/notifications/page.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import type { Metadata } from "next";
-import { redirect } from "next/navigation";
+import { notFound, redirect } from "next/navigation";
 import { TopNav } from "@/components/navigation/top-nav";
 import { prisma } from "@/lib/db/prisma";
 import { getActingBusinessContext } from "@/lib/business/get-acting-business-context";
 import { listInAppNotifications } from "@/services/notifications/notification.service";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "@/services/notifications/in-app";
 import { NotificationList } from "@/features/notifications/components/notification-list";
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "Notifications" };
@@ -11,6 +12,8 @@ export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
 
 /** Access to this route is already gated by (owner)/layout.tsx's MANAGE_STAFF check — this page only fetches this owner's own notifications, same as the staff/customer variants. */
 export default async function OwnerNotificationsPage() {
+  if (!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE) notFound();
+
   const context = await getActingBusinessContext();
   if (!context) redirect("/home");
 
diff --git a/src/app/(owner)/owner/settings/business/page.tsx b/src/app/(owner)/owner/settings/business/page.tsx
index 3fb0d3f..e19d4b2 100644
--- a/src/app/(owner)/owner/settings/business/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(owner)/owner/settings/business/page.tsx
@@ -53,9 +53,6 @@ export default async function OwnerBusinessDetailsPage() {
             postalCode: location?.postalCode ?? "",
             country: location?.country ?? "GB",
             cancellationPolicy: business.settings?.cancellationPolicy ?? "",
-            lateArrivalPolicy: business.settings?.lateArrivalPolicy ?? "",
-            bookingTerms: business.settings?.bookingTerms ?? "",
-            privacyPolicyUrl: business.settings?.privacyPolicyUrl ?? "",
             legalNameDisplay: business.settings?.legalNameDisplay ?? "NEXTCHAIR",
             legalContactEmail: business.settings?.legalContactEmail ?? "NEXTCHAIR",
         }}
diff --git a/src/app/(staff)/staff/notifications/page.tsx b/src/app/(staff)/staff/notifications/page.tsx
index c38b145..a18b16c 100644
--- a/src/app/(staff)/staff/notifications/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(staff)/staff/notifications/page.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 import type { Metadata } from "next";
-import { redirect } from "next/navigation";
+import { notFound, redirect } from "next/navigation";
 import { TopNav } from "@/components/navigation/top-nav";
 import { prisma } from "@/lib/db/prisma";
 import { getActingStaff } from "@/lib/staff/get-acting-staff";
 import { listInAppNotifications } from "@/services/notifications/notification.service";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "@/services/notifications/in-app";
 import { NotificationList } from "@/features/notifications/components/notification-list";
 
 export const metadata: Metadata = { title: "Notifications" };
 export const dynamic = "force-dynamic";
 
 export default async function StaffNotificationsPage() {
+  if (!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE) notFound();
+
   const staff = await getActingStaff();
   if (!staff) redirect("/home");
 
diff --git a/src/features/notifications/components/notification-bell.tsx b/src/features/notifications/components/notification-bell.tsx
index ff2a40f..96f74b9 100644
--- a/src/features/notifications/components/notification-bell.tsx
+++ b/src/features/notifications/components/notification-bell.tsx
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 import Link from "next/link";
 import { Bell } from "lucide-react";
 import { usePathname } from "next/navigation";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "@/services/notifications/in-app";
 
 /** Pages that render their own inline bell (see InlineNotificationBell) as part of a proper header — the shell's own floating bell steps aside there instead of sitting on top of it. */
 const PAGES_WITH_INLINE_BELL = [
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ function badge(unreadCount: number) {
  */
 export function NotificationBell({ href, unreadCount }: { href: string; unreadCount: number }) {
   const pathname = usePathname();
-  if (PAGES_WITH_INLINE_BELL.includes(pathname)) return null;
+  if (!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE || PAGES_WITH_INLINE_BELL.includes(pathname)) return null;
 
   return (
     <Link
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ export function NotificationBell({ href, unreadCount }: { href: string; unreadCo
 
 /** Same look as the fixed bell above, but a normal in-flow element — for a page's own TopNav `leftAction`, not the shell's floating corner. */
 export function InlineNotificationBell({ href, unreadCount }: { href: string; unreadCount: number }) {
+  if (!IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE) return null;
   return (
     <Link
       href={href}
diff --git a/src/features/owner/components/business-details-form.tsx b/src/features/owner/components/business-details-form.tsx
index 11947b9..6e5f5dd 100644
--- a/src/features/owner/components/business-details-form.tsx
+++ b/src/features/owner/components/business-details-form.tsx
@@ -37,9 +37,6 @@ export interface BusinessDetailsInitial {
   postalCode: string;
   country: string;
   cancellationPolicy: string;
-  lateArrivalPolicy: string;
-  bookingTerms: string;
-  privacyPolicyUrl: string;
   legalNameDisplay: LegalNameDisplay;
   legalContactEmail: LegalContactEmail;
 }
@@ -93,9 +90,6 @@ export function BusinessDetailsForm({ initial }: { initial: BusinessDetailsIniti
 
       const settingsResult = await updateBusinessSettingsAction({
         cancellationPolicy: form.cancellationPolicy || undefined,
-        lateArrivalPolicy: form.lateArrivalPolicy || undefined,
-        bookingTerms: form.bookingTerms || undefined,
-        privacyPolicyUrl: form.privacyPolicyUrl || undefined,
         legalNameDisplay: form.legalNameDisplay,
         legalContactEmail: form.legalContactEmail,
       });
@@ -219,19 +213,6 @@ export function BusinessDetailsForm({ initial }: { initial: BusinessDetailsIniti
               value={form.cancellationPolicy}
               onChange={(e) => set("cancellationPolicy", e.target.value)}
             />
-            <Textarea
-              label="Late Arrival Policy"
-              value={form.lateArrivalPolicy}
-              onChange={(e) => set("lateArrivalPolicy", e.target.value)}
-            />
-            <Textarea label="Booking Terms" value={form.bookingTerms} onChange={(e) => set("bookingTerms", e.target.value)} />
-            <Input
-              label="Privacy Policy URL"
-              type="url"
-              placeholder="https://"
-              value={form.privacyPolicyUrl}
-              onChange={(e) => set("privacyPolicyUrl", e.target.value)}
-            />
             <div className="border-line space-y-4 border-t pt-4">
               <p className="text-muted ml-1 text-xs leading-relaxed">
                 Your site&apos;s{" "}
diff --git a/src/features/pwa/__tests__/sw-badge.test.ts b/src/features/pwa/__tests__/sw-badge.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4469ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/features/pwa/__tests__/sw-badge.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import { readFileSync } from "node:fs";
+import { join } from "node:path";
+import { runInNewContext } from "node:vm";
+import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
+
+type Handler = (event: Record<string, unknown>) => void;
+
+/** Loads the real public/sw.js into a fake service-worker global and returns its event handlers. */
+function loadServiceWorker(options: {
+  shownNotifications: number;
+  appVisible: boolean;
+  badging?: boolean;
+}) {
+  const handlers: Record<string, Handler> = {};
+  const setAppBadge = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+  const clearAppBadge = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+  const showNotification = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+  const shown = { count: options.shownNotifications };
+
+  const self: Record<string, unknown> = {
+    addEventListener: (type: string, handler: Handler) => {
+      handlers[type] = handler;
+    },
+    navigator: options.badging === false ? {} : { setAppBadge, clearAppBadge },
+    registration: {
+      showNotification,
+      getNotifications: async () => Array.from({ length: shown.count }, () => ({})),
+    },
+    clients: {
+      matchAll: async () => [
+        { visibilityState: options.appVisible ? "visible" : "hidden", url: "/" },
+      ],
+      openWindow: vi.fn(),
+    },
+    location: { origin: "https://example.test" },
+  };
+  self.self = self;
+
+  const source = readFileSync(join(process.cwd(), "public/sw.js"), "utf8");
+  runInNewContext(source, { ...self, self, caches: {}, URL, Response, Promise });
+
+  const dispatch = async (type: string, event: Record<string, unknown>) => {
+    const pending: Promise<unknown>[] = [];
+    handlers[type]!({ ...event, waitUntil: (p: Promise<unknown>) => pending.push(p) });
+    await Promise.all(pending);
+  };
+
+  return { dispatch, setAppBadge, clearAppBadge, showNotification, shown };
+}
+
+const pushEvent = {
+  data: {
+    json: () => ({ title: "Booking rescheduled", body: "Moved to 14:00", url: "/appointments" }),
+  },
+};
+
+describe("service worker app-icon badge", () => {
+  it("badges the icon with the number of notifications still showing after a push", async () => {
+    const sw = loadServiceWorker({ shownNotifications: 3, appVisible: false });
+    await sw.dispatch("push", pushEvent);
+
+    expect(sw.showNotification).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(sw.setAppBadge).toHaveBeenCalledWith(3);
+  });
+
+  it("does not badge the icon while the app is open in front of the person", async () => {
+    const sw = loadServiceWorker({ shownNotifications: 1, appVisible: true });
+    await sw.dispatch("push", pushEvent);
+
+    expect(sw.showNotification).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(sw.setAppBadge).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("updates the badge when a notification is tapped, clearing it once none are left", async () => {
+    const sw = loadServiceWorker({ shownNotifications: 0, appVisible: false });
+    await sw.dispatch("notificationclick", {
+      notification: { close: vi.fn(), data: { url: "/appointments" } },
+    });
+
+    expect(sw.clearAppBadge).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    expect(sw.setAppBadge).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("still shows the notification where the Badging API is unavailable", async () => {
+    const sw = loadServiceWorker({ shownNotifications: 2, appVisible: false, badging: false });
+    await sw.dispatch("push", pushEvent);
+
+    expect(sw.showNotification).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/features/pwa/components/service-worker-manager.tsx b/src/features/pwa/components/service-worker-manager.tsx
index 1bfd603..f81110e 100644
--- a/src/features/pwa/components/service-worker-manager.tsx
+++ b/src/features/pwa/components/service-worker-manager.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,21 @@
 
 import { useEffect, useState } from "react";
 
+/**
+ * The app icon's badge number counts push notifications still sitting in
+ * the notification shelf (see updateAppBadge in public/sw.js). Opening the
+ * app is the "I've seen it" signal, so clear both together — otherwise the
+ * next push would count notifications the person already dealt with.
+ */
+function clearAppBadgeAndNotifications() {
+  const badging = navigator as Navigator & { clearAppBadge?: () => Promise<void> };
+  badging.clearAppBadge?.().catch(() => {});
+  navigator.serviceWorker?.ready
+    .then((registration) => registration.getNotifications())
+    .then((notifications) => notifications.forEach((notification) => notification.close()))
+    .catch(() => {});
+}
+
 /**
  * Registers the service worker once, app-wide, and surfaces the
  * update-available handshake public/sw.js sets up: a new SW version
@@ -17,6 +32,12 @@ export function ServiceWorkerManager() {
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!("serviceWorker" in navigator)) return;
 
+    const onVisibilityChange = () => {
+      if (document.visibilityState === "visible") clearAppBadgeAndNotifications();
+    };
+    onVisibilityChange();
+    document.addEventListener("visibilitychange", onVisibilityChange);
+
     navigator.serviceWorker
       .register("/sw.js")
       .then((registration) => {
@@ -48,7 +69,10 @@ export function ServiceWorkerManager() {
       window.location.reload();
     };
     navigator.serviceWorker.addEventListener("controllerchange", onControllerChange);
-    return () => navigator.serviceWorker.removeEventListener("controllerchange", onControllerChange);
+    return () => {
+      document.removeEventListener("visibilitychange", onVisibilityChange);
+      navigator.serviceWorker.removeEventListener("controllerchange", onControllerChange);
+    };
   }, []);
 
   if (!waitingWorker || dismissed) return null;
diff --git a/src/features/staff/components/notification-preferences-form.tsx b/src/features/staff/components/notification-preferences-form.tsx
index 9e74124..fb5110c 100644
--- a/src/features/staff/components/notification-preferences-form.tsx
+++ b/src/features/staff/components/notification-preferences-form.tsx
@@ -4,8 +4,13 @@ import { useRouter } from "next/navigation";
 import { useState, useTransition } from "react";
 import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
 import { NotificationChannel, NotificationType } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "@/services/notifications/in-app";
 
-const CHANNEL_ORDER: NotificationChannel[] = [NotificationChannel.EMAIL, NotificationChannel.PUSH, NotificationChannel.IN_APP];
+const CHANNEL_ORDER: NotificationChannel[] = [
+  NotificationChannel.EMAIL,
+  NotificationChannel.PUSH,
+  ...(IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE ? [NotificationChannel.IN_APP] : []),
+];
 const CHANNEL_LABEL: Record<NotificationChannel, string> = { EMAIL: "Email", PUSH: "Push", IN_APP: "In-app" };
 
 export interface PreferenceCellState {
diff --git a/src/services/loyalty/__tests__/loyalty-notifications.integration.test.ts b/src/services/loyalty/__tests__/loyalty-notifications.integration.test.ts
index a61e6a4..520d0f3 100644
--- a/src/services/loyalty/__tests__/loyalty-notifications.integration.test.ts
+++ b/src/services/loyalty/__tests__/loyalty-notifications.integration.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { RewardType } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
 import { addStamp, awardStampForCompletedAppointment, redeemReward } from "../loyalty.service";
 import { cleanupTestBusiness, createTestBusiness, createTestCustomer, createTestStaff, prisma } from "@/services/scheduling/__tests__/fixtures";
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ import type { TestBusiness } from "@/services/scheduling/__tests__/fixtures";
  * channel/preference logic is covered elsewhere; this file is "does the
  * loyalty workflow call notify() correctly, exactly once per real event".
  */
+// These tests exercise the in-app notification centre, which production keeps
+// switched off (see ../in-app.ts) — turn it on here so that machinery stays covered.
+vi.mock("@/services/notifications/in-app", () => ({ IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE: true }));
+
 describe("loyalty notifications (integration)", () => {
   let business: TestBusiness;
 
diff --git a/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.in-app-hidden.integration.test.ts b/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.in-app-hidden.integration.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f79783a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.in-app-hidden.integration.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { NotificationChannel, NotificationType } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
+import {
+  cleanupTestBusiness,
+  createTestBusiness,
+  createTestCustomer,
+  prisma,
+} from "@/services/scheduling/__tests__/fixtures";
+import type { TestBusiness } from "@/services/scheduling/__tests__/fixtures";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "../in-app";
+import { notify } from "../notification.service";
+
+// Deliberately does not mock ../in-app: this file covers the shipped default.
+describe("NotificationService with in-app notifications switched off (integration)", () => {
+  let business: TestBusiness;
+
+  beforeEach(async () => {
+    business = await createTestBusiness();
+  });
+
+  afterEach(async () => {
+    await cleanupTestBusiness(business);
+  });
+
+  it("ships with in-app notifications off", () => {
+    expect(IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("creates no IN_APP delivery, even for a registered customer", async () => {
+    const { customerId, userId } = await createTestCustomer(business);
+
+    const { notification } = await notify(prisma, {
+      businessId: business.businessId,
+      type: NotificationType.BOOKING_CONFIRMED,
+      recipientUserId: userId,
+      recipientCustomerId: customerId,
+      bodyText: "Your booking is confirmed.",
+      idempotencyKey: `test:${userId}:in-app-hidden`,
+    });
+
+    const channels = notification.deliveries.map((d) => d.channel);
+    expect(channels).toEqual([NotificationChannel.EMAIL]);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.service.integration.test.ts b/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.service.integration.test.ts
index 0492847..3cee1b0 100644
--- a/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.service.integration.test.ts
+++ b/src/services/notifications/__tests__/notification.service.integration.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { NotificationChannel, NotificationType } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
 import {
   cleanupTestBusiness,
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ import {
   setNotificationPreference,
 } from "../notification.service";
 
+// These tests exercise the in-app notification centre, which production keeps
+// switched off (see ../in-app.ts) — turn it on here so that machinery stays covered.
+vi.mock("@/services/notifications/in-app", () => ({ IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE: true }));
+
 describe("NotificationService (integration)", () => {
   let business: TestBusiness;
   let guestProfileIds: string[];
diff --git a/src/services/notifications/in-app.ts b/src/services/notifications/in-app.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2b2a463
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/services/notifications/in-app.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+/**
+ * Whether in-app notifications exist at all. Off — nothing creates an
+ * IN_APP delivery (notification.service.ts's resolveChannels), and the UI
+ * hides the bell with its unread badge, the /notifications pages and the
+ * "In-app" toggle in notification settings, so notifications reach people
+ * by email and push only. Turning it back on restores all of it; rows
+ * created while it was on are kept.
+ */
+export const IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE = false;
diff --git a/src/services/notifications/notification.service.ts b/src/services/notifications/notification.service.ts
index e652239..d8084b7 100644
--- a/src/services/notifications/notification.service.ts
+++ b/src/services/notifications/notification.service.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { Prisma } from "@/generated/prisma/client";
 import type { PrismaClient } from "@/generated/prisma/client";
 import { NotificationChannel, NotificationDeliveryStatus, NotificationType } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
+import { IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE } from "./in-app";
 import { defaultPreferenceIsEnabled, isPreferenceControlled } from "./types";
 
 /**
@@ -144,6 +145,7 @@ async function resolveChannels(
   // who's both the owner and the assigned barber turn off one of the two
   // in-app entries a single booking used to always create for them.
   if (
+    IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE &&
     params.recipientUserId &&
     (await isChannelEnabled(prisma, { userId: params.recipientUserId, type: params.type, channel: NotificationChannel.IN_APP }))
   ) {
diff --git a/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/booking-notifications.integration.test.ts b/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/booking-notifications.integration.test.ts
index 4099e16..4dd337a 100644
--- a/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/booking-notifications.integration.test.ts
+++ b/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/booking-notifications.integration.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { NotificationChannel, NotificationType, Weekday } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
 import { addDays, todayIn, wallClockToInstant, weekdayOf } from "@/lib/time/business-time";
 import type { CalendarDate } from "@/lib/time/business-time";
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ function nextWeekday(timezone: string, target: Weekday, minDaysAhead = 7): Calen
  * is covered by notification.service.integration.test.ts; this file is
  * specifically "does the booking workflow call notify() correctly".
  */
+// These tests exercise the in-app notification centre, which production keeps
+// switched off (see ../in-app.ts) — turn it on here so that machinery stays covered.
+vi.mock("@/services/notifications/in-app", () => ({ IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE: true }));
+
 describe("booking notifications (integration)", () => {
   let business: TestBusiness;
   let monday: CalendarDate;
diff --git a/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/reminder-scheduling.integration.test.ts b/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/reminder-scheduling.integration.test.ts
index 6be5c90..2477315 100644
--- a/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/reminder-scheduling.integration.test.ts
+++ b/src/services/scheduling/__tests__/reminder-scheduling.integration.test.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import { cleanupTestBusiness, createTestBusiness, createTestCustomer, createTestStaff, prisma } from "./fixtures";
 import type { TestBusiness } from "./fixtures";
 import { NotificationChannel, NotificationType, Weekday } from "@/generated/prisma/enums";
@@ -44,6 +44,10 @@ async function reminderDeliveries(appointmentId: string, channels: ("EMAIL" | "P
  * Every scheduled IN_APP copy is created SCHEDULED, not SENT, so it stays
  * out of the notification bell until the worker releases it.
  */
+// These tests exercise the in-app notification centre, which production keeps
+// switched off (see ../in-app.ts) — turn it on here so that machinery stays covered.
+vi.mock("@/services/notifications/in-app", () => ({ IN_APP_NOTIFICATIONS_VISIBLE: true }));
+
 describe("reminder scheduling (integration)", () => {
   let business: TestBusiness;
   let monday: CalendarDate;