Check every screen that can show the message.
- 01
Lock screen
Review what appears on the lock screen.
What this tells youYou know what a person near your locked phone can actually see.
Review sender names and message text separately. Read the device and app controls available to your account; their scope may differ.
- 02
Other displays
Check watches and connected displays.
What this tells youYou have included other displays in the same privacy review.
Check a watch, mirrored screen or browser notification only where you have authorized access. A phone setting alone is not evidence about those displays.
- 03
Preview test
Send a harmless test message to confirm the result.
What this tells youThe agreed test confirms the visible result on the surface you care about.
Use an innocuous message, then inspect the locked screen and relevant connected display. Do not use sensitive content as the test.
Alerts, previews and history are separate.
| Control or surface | Question to ask | Separate limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lock-screen preview | Does the notification show a sender or message text? | A hidden preview does not remove the message from the chat. |
| App preview choice | What does the currently offered control cover? | It may not describe every device-level setting. |
| Connected display | What appears on this watch, browser or mirrored screen? | Do not assume the phone’s result applies everywhere. |
| Mute | Do I want fewer conversation alerts? | Quiet alerts and hidden message text are different goals. |
The same harmless message, two displays.
A shared meeting-room screen may show notifications even if the phone itself is locked.
Message content visible
The fictional lock-screen card shows AL and the text of a harmless message.
Content hidden
The illustrated card now says New message. Confirm what your own device actually hides, including sender details.
Run a test you can interpret.
Start with the locked phone
Note which details remain visible, then review the matching device or app control. Keep the test message harmless.
Understand device exposure →Move to the other screen
Inspect your authorized browser or mirrored display before a meeting or handover. End sessions you no longer need.
Review shared hardware →Separate noise from privacy
If the content is hidden but interruptions remain, review the conversation’s notification setting as a different choice.
Review muting →Test the result, not just the switch.
“Content hidden on this locked phone” is a useful result. Check other screens independently and repeat the harmless check after a relevant setting or device change.
Keep this boundary.
Hiding previews does not remove an already delivered message.
Check the unlocked device and chat separately. Preview controls do not make content inaccessible to someone who can use your signed-in session.
References and current instructions
Go to the source.
Labels, menu placement and feature availability can change. These are original interface illustrations; use the current official explanation before changing a setting.
Find the current article for your device and account type.