diff --git a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/BTService.java b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/BTService.java
index 4c7bb4f0a..f4a35c904 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/BTService.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/BTService.java
@@ -577,14 +577,15 @@ public class BTService extends XWService {
                 PendingIntent stopPI =
                     PendingIntent.getBroadcast(this, 0, stopIntent, 0);
 
-                m_notification =
-                    new NotificationCompat.Builder( this, Utils.getChannelId(this) )
+                String channelID = Channels.getChannelID( this, Channels.ID.FOREGROUND );
+                NotificationCompat.Builder builder =
+                    new NotificationCompat.Builder( this, channelID )
                     .setSmallIcon( R.drawable.notify_btservice )
                     .setContentText( getString(R.string.bkng_notify_text) )
                     .setContentIntent( pendIntent )
                     .addAction( R.drawable.notify_btservice,
-                                getString(R.string.bkng_stop_text), stopPI )
-                    .build();
+                                getString(R.string.bkng_stop_text), stopPI );
+                m_notification = builder.build();
             }
 
             Log.d( TAG, "calling service.startForeground()" );
diff --git a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/Utils.java b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/Utils.java
index 848da6f3f..9e6ec2df2 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/Utils.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/java/org/eehouse/android/xw4/Utils.java
@@ -83,8 +83,6 @@ public class Utils {
     private static final String TAG = Utils.class.getSimpleName();
     public static final int TURN_COLOR = 0x7F00FF00;
 
-    private static final String _CHANNEL_ID = BuildConfig.APPLICATION_ID + "_channel_id";
-
     private static final String DB_PATH = "XW_GAMES";
     private static final String HIDDEN_PREFS = "xwprefs_hidden";
     private static final String FIRST_VERSION_KEY = "FIRST_VERSION_KEY";
@@ -258,8 +256,9 @@ public class Utils {
             defaults |= Notification.DEFAULT_VIBRATE;
         }
 
+        String channelID = Channels.getChannelID( context, Channels.ID.GAME_EVENT );
         Notification notification =
-            new NotificationCompat.Builder( context, getChannelId(context) )
+            new NotificationCompat.Builder( context, channelID )
             .setContentIntent( pi )
             .setSmallIcon( R.drawable.notify )
             //.setTicker(body)
@@ -620,27 +619,4 @@ public class Utils {
             }
         }
     }
-
-    private static boolean sChannelMade = false;
-    static String getChannelId( Context context )
-    {
-        if ( !sChannelMade ) {
-            sChannelMade = true;
-            if ( Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O ) {
-                NotificationManager notMgr = (NotificationManager)
-                    context.getSystemService( Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE );
-
-                String channelDescription = "XWORDS Default Channel";
-                NotificationChannel channel = notMgr.getNotificationChannel( _CHANNEL_ID );
-                if ( channel == null ) {
-                    channel = new NotificationChannel( _CHANNEL_ID, channelDescription,
-                                                       NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_LOW );
-                    // channel.setLightColor(Color.GREEN);
-                    channel.enableVibration( true );
-                    notMgr.createNotificationChannel( channel );
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        return _CHANNEL_ID;
-    }
 }
diff --git a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index c7b7660ae..bd57ba9d4 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/xwords4/android/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -2727,4 +2727,8 @@
   <string name="perms_rationale_title">Android Permissions</string>
   <string name="toast_no_permission">Permission not granted</string>
 
+  <!-- Explanation in settings for always-on BT notification -->
+  <string name="foreground_channel_expl">Ready-for-bluetooth</string>
+  <!-- Explanation in settings for traditional move-arrived notification -->
+  <string name="gameevent_channel_expl">In-game events</string>
 </resources>