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If only some apps need privacy, use Settings > Notifications > App notifications, choose an app, tap Show or hide content when locked, and select Hide when locked. One UI 7 uses a different route, described below. Samsung notes that labels and availability can vary by Galaxy model, carrier, region, and software version.
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What the setting protects
Lock-screen notification privacy controls what someone can read before the phone is unlocked. With content hidden, the lock screen can still indicate that an app has sent a notification, but it does not show the notification preview, such as the body of a message, an email subject, or other app-provided details. This is different from turning notifications off: the alert can still arrive and appear once the phone is unlocked.
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One UI 8: hide previews from every app
Samsung’s One UI 8 notification guide, updated April 19, 2026, documents a global control named Hide content while locked. Use it when you want the same privacy rule for all apps.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Hide content while locked.
- Select Hide when locked.
After this change, notifications can continue to arrive, but their content is concealed while the device is locked. To return to visible previews, follow the same path and choose Show always.
When global hiding is the right choice
- You regularly receive sensitive messages from several apps.
- Other people may see the phone on a desk, in a car, or at home.
- You prefer one predictable privacy rule instead of reviewing every app.
- You do not need previews for low-risk apps such as weather or calendar alerts.
One UI 8: hide previews only for selected apps
One UI 8 also lets you keep previews for trusted apps while concealing them for apps that may contain private conversations, account information, or work data.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications, then App notifications.
- Select the app you want to change.
- Tap Show or hide content when locked.
- Choose Hide when locked.
Repeat these steps for each app that should conceal its previews. For an app whose previews are safe to display, leave its choice at Show always. This per-app approach takes longer to configure, but it avoids hiding useful information from every application.
Examples of a mixed setup
| App category | Suggested lock-screen choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Private messaging | Hide when locked | Prevents message text and sender details from appearing in a visible preview. |
| Banking or finance | Hide when locked | Reduces the chance that transaction or account information is exposed. |
| Work collaboration | Hide when locked | Keeps workplace conversations and project details off the lock screen. |
| Weather alerts | Show always | A short forecast or warning may be useful and usually contains little personal information. |
| Calendar | Choose based on event sensitivity | Some appointments are harmless; others reveal health, travel, or work information. |
These are configuration examples, not Samsung’s classifications. Decide based on what each app’s notifications reveal on your own phone.
One UI 7: use Lock screen notifications
Samsung’s One UI 7 guide places the controls under Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications. The wording and layout are not identical to One UI 8.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Lock screen notifications.
- Enable lock-screen notifications if they are disabled.
- Use the content control to choose whether notification details are shown or hidden.
One UI 7 also offers lock-screen presentation styles such as Dot, Icons, and Cards. Under the option to show content, you can select which apps are allowed to display lock-screen notifications. If your goal is privacy, choose the hidden-content option and review the app selection so that sensitive apps are not permitted to expose details.
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The style choice changes how an alert is represented, while the show-or-hide-content choice controls whether readable details accompany it. Selecting a minimal style alone should not be treated as a substitute for hiding content. Check the content option itself, then review the allowed-app list.
What changes between One UI 7 and One UI 8
| Software | Main route | Privacy wording or control | Additional controls described by Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|
| One UI 8 | Settings > Notifications | Hide content while locked; per-app Show or hide content when locked | Global choice of Show always or Hide when locked; per-app choices. |
| One UI 7 | Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications | Show or hide notification content | Styles including Dot, Icons, and Cards; app selection for lock-screen notifications. |
| Other versions or models | May use a Notifications or Lock screen subsection | Labels can differ | Samsung says features and paths vary by device, carrier, network, and software version. |
If your menus use different words
Samsung’s general lock-screen guidance uses Settings > Notifications > Lock screen on some devices. You may instead see Lock screen notifications, Hide content, or a similar notification privacy label. The exact screenshots and menu names can change with the Galaxy model and One UI release.
Check the installed software before troubleshooting the menu path:
- Open Settings.
- Tap About phone.
- Tap Software information.
- Note the One UI version and Android version.
Then return to Settings > Notifications and look for the closest matching lock-screen or content-visibility control. Follow the label on your device rather than expecting a One UI 8 menu to appear on a One UI 7 phone.
Before changing the setting
Decide whether you want privacy everywhere or only for particular apps. Global hiding is the safer starting point when several apps contain sensitive information. Per-app hiding is better when you need a weather warning, calendar reminder, or another low-risk preview at a glance.
Make the change while the phone is unlocked, and note the exact wording shown on your model. Samsung’s instructions are version-specific, so a missing option does not necessarily mean the phone cannot control lock-screen content; it may be listed under Lock screen notifications or Lock screen instead.
There is no separate paid utility, subscription, screen protector, or accessory required for this feature. The relevant controls are part of Samsung’s built-in Settings app. Installing another notification-management app can introduce a different interface without replacing the phone’s own lock-screen control.
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Global hiding or per-app hiding?
The choice is mainly about scope and maintenance.
| Approach | How it works | Advantages | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide content globally | One UI 8’s Hide content while locked setting applies the hidden-preview rule across apps. | Fast to configure and less likely to overlook a sensitive app. | You lose useful previews from apps you consider safe until the phone is unlocked. |
| Hide content per app | Each selected app is set to Hide when locked under App notifications. | Preserves previews for low-risk apps while protecting selected ones. | Requires a review of every app that may expose private information, including newly installed apps. |
Use global hiding when avoiding accidental exposure is more important than convenience. Use per-app hiding when you need at-a-glance information from selected apps and are willing to maintain the list.
What “locked apps” can mean
The phrase “locked apps” can refer to two different situations. First, an app can send a notification while the phone is locked. The One UI notification setting controls whether that notification’s content is visible on the lock screen.
Second, an app can be stored in Samsung’s Secure Folder. Secure Folder is a separate protected area for apps and private content. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 user manual says that Secure Folder remains protected even when the device itself is unlocked and requires its configured lock method when Secure Folder is locked.
Secure Folder protection and lock-screen notification-content hiding are separate controls. The reviewed manual does not establish one universal rule for how every app inside Secure Folder presents notifications. Do not assume that placing an app in Secure Folder automatically hides every notification preview. Check the relevant app and notification settings on your specific Galaxy phone, and test the result while the phone is locked.
Check that the privacy change worked
After changing the setting, verify it with a notification that contains text you recognize as private.
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- Send yourself a test message or trigger a notification from the app you changed.
- Wake the lock screen without unlocking it.
- Confirm that the notification indicator appears without the private preview, if you selected Hide when locked.
- Unlock the phone and open the notification shade to confirm that the notification content is available after authentication.
The exact appearance depends on the selected lock-screen style, notification grouping, Always On Display behavior, and the app’s own notification format. The important test is whether readable private content is exposed before unlocking.
Troubleshooting
The setting is missing
- Check Settings > About phone > Software information to identify the One UI version.
- On One UI 7, look for Lock screen notifications instead of Hide content while locked.
- On another release, search Settings for lock screen, notifications, or hide content.
- Remember that Samsung says availability can vary by model, carrier, and network.
One app still shows details
- Open Settings > Notifications > App notifications and select that app.
- Check Show or hide content when locked and set it to Hide when locked on One UI 8.
- On One UI 7, revisit Lock screen notifications and the app-selection controls under the show-content area.
- Trigger a new notification after changing the setting; an old notification may retain its previous display until it is refreshed.
The notification disappears completely
Hiding content is not the same as disabling notifications. If no notification indicator appears at all, inspect the app’s notification permission, notification categories, Do Not Disturb settings, and lock-screen notification enablement. A hidden-content setting should conceal the preview, not necessarily remove the alert.
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- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
The app is in Secure Folder
Check both layers independently: Secure Folder’s lock method and the app’s notification settings. Because Samsung’s manual does not specify identical notification behavior for every Secure Folder app, confirm the result on the actual device instead of relying on the folder’s presence alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Privacy limits to keep in mind
- Someone who unlocks the phone can normally read notification content according to the app and notification settings.
- Hiding lock-screen content does not prevent an app from showing private information inside its own interface.
- Other connected devices, such as a watch or vehicle display, may have their own notification-preview settings.
- Notification text can also appear in screenshots, notification history, widgets, or other surfaces if those features are enabled.
- App developers control the notification payload. A hidden lock-screen preview does not alter the message stored or displayed after unlocking.
For stronger privacy, combine hidden lock-screen previews with a secure screen lock, cautious notification permissions, and the app’s own privacy options.
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Samsung’s documented scope and caveats
Samsung’s One UI 8 support page documents the global and per-app controls using the labels Hide content while locked and Show or hide content when locked. Its One UI 7 guide documents the older Lock screen notifications route and notes that the interface can vary. Samsung’s general lock-screen guidance likewise describes a Settings > Notifications > Lock screen path on some devices.
Because Samsung changes menus by model and software version, treat the exact paths above as version-specific instructions rather than a guarantee that every Galaxy phone will display the same screen. The privacy outcome to look for is consistent: notification alerts may remain available, while readable content is withheld until the phone is unlocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiding content stop notifications from arriving?
No. Hide when locked is a display-privacy choice, not a notification-off switch. The alert can still arrive, and its content should be available after you unlock the phone.
Can I hide previews for just one Samsung Galaxy app?
Yes, on One UI 8 open Settings > Notifications > App notifications, select the app, tap Show or hide content when locked, and choose Hide when locked. Repeat for other sensitive apps.
How do I show previews again?
For the global One UI 8 setting, return to Settings > Notifications > Hide content while locked and choose Show always. For an individual app, change its per-app choice back to Show always.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Where is this option on One UI 7?
Use Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications. From there, review the content visibility choice and the apps permitted to show lock-screen notifications.
Does Secure Folder automatically hide every notification preview?
Not necessarily. Secure Folder’s lock is separate from lock-screen notification-content settings, and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 manual does not define one behavior for every app inside Secure Folder. Check and test the app’s notification settings on your phone.
Why do the names on my Galaxy phone differ?
Samsung varies menus by model, carrier, network, region, and software version. Check Settings > About phone > Software information, then look under Notifications for Lock screen notifications, Lock screen, or Hide content.
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Can I keep weather alerts visible while hiding messages?
Yes, use the One UI 8 per-app route. Set messaging, banking, or work apps to Hide when locked and leave a low-risk app such as weather at Show always.
How can I confirm that the setting worked?
Lock the phone, trigger a notification containing text you recognize as private, and wake the lock screen without unlocking. You should see an alert without readable content. Unlock the phone and check that the notification is available afterward.
The Bottom Line
On One UI 8, the fastest solution is Settings > Notifications > Hide content while locked > Hide when locked. Use the per-app control when only selected apps need privacy. On One UI 7, look under Lock screen notifications, and remember that Secure Folder protection is a separate setting.
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