You glance at your phone on the table and there's nothing on the lock screen — but later you unlock it and find a dozen missed alerts. When notifications stop showing on the lock screen, it's almost always a setting, not a bug. Here's how to get them back without exposing private message previews to anyone nearby.
Check the global lock-screen setting
The most common cause is the master switch being off:
- Stock Android: Settings → Notifications → Lock screen → choose Show conversational, default, and silent (or Show all notification content).
- Samsung: Settings → Lock screen → Notifications → toggle on, then pick what to show.
- Xiaomi/MIUI: Settings → Lock screen → Lock screen notifications.
Turn off Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb (or a Focus mode) hides notifications on the lock screen even when the global setting is on. Swipe down and check the DND / Focus tile — if it's active, either turn it off or open its settings and allow Notifications on lock screen or specific apps through.
The toggles to check
Three settings control whether notifications appear on the lock screen:
- Lock screen visibility. Settings → Notifications → Notifications on lock screen. Pick Show all content / Hide sensitive content / Hide all.
- Per-app lock screen override. Settings → Apps → [app] → Notifications → Lock screen.
- App notification permission. Settings → Apps → [app] → Notifications — make sure it is on.
All three must be set correctly for an alert to show on the lock screen.
Battery optimization can block lock-screen notifications
Some OEM battery savers pause notifications entirely on the lock screen to save power. If your phone has lost lock-screen alerts after a system update, check Battery settings and set the affected app to Unrestricted.
When always-on display is the cause
If your phone has an always-on display (AOD), lock-screen notifications may be visible only after you wake the phone. To see them on the AOD too:
- Settings → Display → Always On Display.
- Toggle on "Show notifications" or "Show content."
Third-party lock screens
If you use a third-party lock screen (some launchers, accessibility services), they may not show Android notifications at all. Switch back to the default lock screen to see if notifications reappear — if they do, the issue is the third-party locker.
For related guides, see Android Auto notifications not showing on lock screen, Samsung lock screen notifications, and Pixel lock screen notifications.
Fix a single silent app
If most apps show on the lock screen but one stays quiet, its notification channel is set to "Don't show":
- Wait for that app's notification, then long-press it → tap the gear icon.
- Open Lock screen (or "On the lock screen") and switch it to Show.
- Repeat for each channel the app uses (some apps have several, e.g. "Messages", "Group", "Promotions").
Show alerts without the text
You don't have to choose between "nothing shows" and "everyone reads my messages". Use the middle option:
- Pick Hide sensitive content (Android) or Show notification icons only (Samsung) so the lock screen reveals that you got a notification but not the preview.
- This keeps your lock screen useful and private at the same time.