How to hide sensitive content on the lock screen on a Google Pixel (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Display and touch › Lock screen

Real screenshots

6 of 6 steps

What we did

Looked at each screen; changed nothing

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Lock screen

   Open Settings and tap Display and touch. Lock screen is under Lock display. Ours said Show all notification content.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Notifications on lock screen

   It is the first row under What to show.

   Done

3. 

   Turn off Show sensitive content

   At the bottom, turn off Show sensitive content to hide what notifications say. On ours it was on, but the switch and its label were dimmed.

   Done

4. 

   Choose what else shows

   Under What to show on lock screen, Show viewed notification icons was on and Show silent notifications was off.

   Done

5. 

   Compact or Full list

   Pick Compact or Full list to choose how notifications show on the lock screen. Ours was Compact.

   Done

6. 

   Or hide them all

   To show no notifications on the lock screen at all, turn off Show on lock screen at the top. Ours was on.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Switch dimmed? On ours, Show sensitive content was dimmed. Our Pixel has no screen lock set, and we think that is why: without a lock, anyone can open the phone anyway. Set a screen lock, then look again. Source: Set screen lock on an Android device
• Another way in? Google says the same page opens from Settings, Notifications, then Notifications on lock screen under Privacy. Source: Customize the lock screen on your Pixel phone
• Older Android or another brand? Google says older phones use Settings, Apps and notifications, Notifications, then Sensitive notifications under Lock screen, and that settings can vary by phone. Source: Control notifications on Android

If this does not work

• Message text still shows? Check Show sensitive content is off and that a screen lock is set. Google says you can also stop single apps from showing notifications on the lock screen. Source: Customize the lock screen on your Pixel phone · Source: Set screen lock on an Android device
• Some notifications missing from the lock screen? Show silent notifications was off on ours, so silent ones stay hidden. Turn it on to see them. See also Pixel not getting notifications. Source: Customize the lock screen on your Pixel phone
• Can't dismiss a notification there? Google says that if you can't dismiss a notification on the lock screen, unlock the phone and dismiss it. Source: Control notifications on Android

About this guide

Message previews on the lock screen can be read by anyone who picks up your phone. You can hide the content and keep the alerts.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. Ours showed all notification content. We only looked and changed nothing.

Good to know

To find an alert you dismissed by mistake, see how to see notification history on a Google Pixel.

Always-on display shows the time while locked: how to turn on Always-on display.

In short: Settings, Display and touch, Lock screen, Notifications on lock screen: Show sensitive content off. Show on lock screen off hides all.