How to Hide Notifications on Your Android Lock Screen

Notifications appearing on your lock screen can be convenient, but also potentially embarrassing if someone else sees them. Luckily, on Android, you can hide notifications from your lock screen, or at least the content, so that everything is for your eyes only.

Note: These instructions should work for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 7.0 Nougat, 8.0 Oreo, and later, though there will be variations depending on the device manufacturer and model.

Hiding Lock Screen Notifications on Stock Android

Android smartphones have long had many ways to manage notifications, including those that show up on your lock screen. The phones usually have three options for lock screen notifications: show all, show none, or hide notification content. The last option means you can see which app the notification is for, but not its contents, thereby protecting your privacy and letting you know whether it's worthwhile to unlock your phone.

 For privacy, you can hide sensitive content or don't show notifications at all.

The process is the same for most smartphones running stock Android, which includes Pixel phones, and some models from HTC, Motorola, Nokia, and Xiaomi.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Apps & notifications.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Tap On lock screen.
5. Tap Don't show notifications at all.

Alternatively, you can select Hide sensitive content. On non-Pixel smartphones, it might be Lock screen > Hide all notifications or Hide sensitive notification content.

Another method on stock Android phones is:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Security & location.
3. Tap Lock screen preferences.
4. Tap On lock screen.
5. Select Hide sensitive notification content or Don’t show notifications at all.

This process varies depending on your phone's make and model. However, smartphones that don't run stock Android from Huawei, LG, and OnePlus still have the options above.

Hiding Lock Screen Notifications on Samsung and HTC

For some Samsung phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S6, the process is:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Lock screen and security.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Tap Content on lock screen.
5. Select Do not show notifications or Hide content.

 Hide lock screen notifications easily.

On newer Samsung smartphones, the process is the same, but the options are: Hide content and Notification icons only.

On HTC phones not running stock Android:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Sound & notification.
3. Tap When device is locked.
4. Tap Don't show notifications at all.

If none of these methods work, try searching "lock screen" in the Settings app.

In many cases, you can adjust individual app settings, which will override the default setting you selected above.