Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), then switch off Widgets under Allow Access When Locked. That removes Lock Screen widget access until the phone is unlocked. If the problem is message, email, or calendar text in notifications, change the separate preview setting instead. On a Pixel, use the lock-screen notification controls to hide sensitive content and review At a Glance separately. Other Android phones use different menus, so search Settings for “lock screen notifications” and verify the options on your exact model.
Which setting controls what you see?
“Lock screen widgets” and “notification previews” are different privacy surfaces. A widget is a small app view placed on the Lock Screen, such as a Calendar, weather, battery, or smart-home panel. A notification preview is text supplied by an incoming alert, such as the first line of a message or an email subject. Turning off one does not automatically turn off the other.
| Phone and concern | Where to change it | What changes | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Lock Screen widgets | Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked | Disables widget access while the phone is locked | You also lose the quick widget view until you unlock |
| iPhone notification text | Settings > Notifications > Show Previews | Choose Always, When Unlocked, or Never for notification previews | Alerts can remain visible while their details are withheld |
| Pixel lock-screen notifications | Lock-screen notification settings, including the sensitive-content control | Controls whether notifications appear and whether their details are shown | Labels and available controls depend on Pixel software |
| Pixel At a Glance | At a Glance settings | Controls information such as calendar events and updates shown by that surface | At a Glance is separate from ordinary notification privacy |
| Other Android phones | Settings search for “lock screen notifications” or the manufacturer’s lock-screen menu | May offer per-app hiding, a global lock-screen switch, or sensitive-content controls | Menus and capabilities vary by maker and Android version |
What someone can learn from a locked phone
Lock-screen information can reveal more than the app name. A calendar widget may show the title or time of an upcoming event. A notification may expose a sender, subject, message excerpt, one-time code, delivery address, or appointment details. Weather and battery data are usually low-risk, while calendar, mail, messaging, finance, health, and smart-home surfaces can identify activities or relationships.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Decide whether you want to remove the entire surface or only hide sensitive details. Removing widget access is the broadest iPhone control. Hiding previews preserves the fact that an alert arrived while concealing its text. Android may provide a similar middle ground, but it is not consistent across devices.
#1 Best Overall
- [2 Pack] This product includes 2 pack privacy screen protectors.WORKS FOR iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro 6.1 Inch tempered glass screen protector.Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps.[Not for iPhone 16 6.1 inch, iPhone 13 mini 5.4 inch, iPhone 13 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Plus 6.7 inch, iPhone 14 Pro 6.1 inch]
- Specialty: to enhance compatibility with most cases, the Tempered glass does not cover the entire screen. HD ultra-clear rounded glass for iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro is 99.99% touch-screen accurate.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers,screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen.Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions.(Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Online video installation instruction: Easiest Installation - removing dust and aligning it properly before actual installation,enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
iPhone: block Lock Screen widget access
Face ID models
- Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your device passcode when prompted.
- Scroll to Allow Access When Locked.
- Turn Widgets off.
With this switch off, a person holding the locked iPhone cannot use the Lock Screen widget area to view the personal information those widgets provide. You can still use the widgets after Face ID, Touch ID, or the passcode unlocks the phone.
Touch ID models
- Open Settings.
- Tap Touch ID & Passcode.
- Enter the passcode.
- Under Allow Access When Locked, turn off Widgets.
The control is functionally the same; only the name of the passcode page differs between hardware designs.
What this switch does not do
Turning off Widgets does not automatically change notification previews, Siri access, Control Center, or other items listed under Allow Access When Locked. Review those switches individually if your privacy concern includes them. Apple explains the reason for the widget control this way: “If you turn off Lock Screen access to a feature, you prevent someone who has your iPhone from viewing any personal information that it might contain (such as an upcoming event in the Calendar widget).”
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliPhone: hide notification text without removing alerts
If you want to know that a notification arrived but do not want its contents readable on the Lock Screen, use the preview setting rather than the widget switch.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Tap Show Previews.
- Choose When Unlocked to reveal details only after authentication, or Never to keep details hidden even when the phone is locked. Choose Always only when full previews are acceptable.
These choices apply to notification previews, not to the information rendered by a Lock Screen widget. For finer control, open an individual app under Settings > Notifications and adjust that app’s alert behavior where the available options permit it.
Pixel: control lock-screen notifications and sensitive content
Pixel phones separate ordinary lock-screen notification visibility from the display of sensitive details. Google’s current Pixel guidance exposes the controls through the lock-screen customization area and through Settings; the exact labels can change with a software update.
Use the lock-screen customization path
- Open Wallpaper & style.
- Tap Lock screen.
- Open Notifications on lock screen.
- Review whether notifications are allowed on the lock screen and whether Show sensitive content is enabled.
- Turn sensitive content off when you want notification icons or counts without message text and other private details.
Some Pixel builds expose the same sensitive-content option through the main Settings app. If a label is not present in Wallpaper & style, open Settings and search for sensitive content, lock screen notifications, or notifications on lock screen. Follow the wording shown on that phone rather than relying on an older screenshot.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #2
- [3+3 Pack] This product includes 3 pack privacy screen protectors and 3 pack camera lens protectors with Installation Frame. Works For iPhone 16 [6.1 inch] tempered glass screen protector and camera lens protector. Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps. [Not for iPhone 16e 6.1 inch, iPhone 16 Pro 6.3 inch, iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9 inch, iPhone 16 Plus 6.7 inch]
- Night shooting function: specially designed iPhone 16 6.1 Inch camera lens protective film. The camera lens protector adopts the new technology of "seamless" integration of augmented reality, with light transmittance and night shooting function, without the need to design the flash hole position, when the flash is turned on at night, the original quality of photos and videos can be restored.
- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers, screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen. Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions. (Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Easiest Installation - Please watch our installation video tutorial before installation. Removing dust and aligning it properly with the help of the included installation frame before actual installation, enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints, and enhance the visibility of the screen.
Review At a Glance separately
At a Glance is an additional information surface that can show items such as calendar events and updates. Its privacy controls are separate from the notification switch. Open the At a Glance settings from the lock screen or its associated customization control, then inspect the options for personal results or sensitive content. Disable the categories you do not want displayed while the device is locked.
If a calendar event remains visible after sensitive notification content is hidden, At a Glance is a likely source. Conversely, disabling At a Glance will not necessarily hide a message notification preview.
Other Android phones: find the equivalent controls
Android is not a single lock-screen interface. A manufacturer can rename, move, or omit controls, and the available options can change between Android releases. Do not assume that a Pixel path exists unchanged on another phone.
- Open Settings and use the search field.
- Search for lock screen notifications, notifications on lock screen, sensitive notifications, or show sensitive content.
- Open the result that governs lock-screen notification visibility.
- Look for separate choices to show all notifications, hide sensitive content, or show none.
- Check per-app notification settings if one app continues to reveal details.
- Lock the phone and test the result from the actual Lock Screen.
Google’s general Android guidance notes that some devices support per-app hiding of sensitive notification content or suppressing lock-screen notifications, while others provide fewer choices. If Settings search returns nothing, consult the current support page for the phone maker and software version. The exact model, region, and carrier build can affect the menu.
Choose the narrowest change that solves the privacy problem
| Your goal | Change to make | What remains available |
|---|---|---|
| Prevent anyone with a locked iPhone from viewing widget data | Turn off Widgets under Allow Access When Locked | Widgets return after authentication |
| Keep iPhone alerts visible but hide their words | Set Show Previews to When Unlocked or Never | Notification indicators can still signal that an alert arrived |
| Hide private details in Pixel notifications | Turn off Show sensitive content in lock-screen notification settings | Less-detailed notification indicators may remain |
| Remove calendar or update information supplied by Pixel’s At a Glance | Adjust At a Glance categories and sensitive-content controls | Other lock-screen surfaces are unaffected |
| Stop all lock-screen alerts on an Android phone | Use the device’s global lock-screen notification visibility switch, if provided | Alerts are available after unlocking, but may not appear on the lock screen |
| Protect only one troublesome app | Use that app’s notification settings or per-app sensitive-content control, if the phone supports it | Other apps retain their existing behavior |
Verify that private information is really hidden
Settings changes are easy to misread, especially when a phone has both a widget and a notification showing similar information. Test each surface independently.
- Create a harmless test event or send a test message to the phone.
- Wait for the notification to arrive.
- Press the power button to lock the device, then wake the Lock Screen without unlocking it.
- Check the widget area, notification cards, notification icons, and any At a Glance text separately.
- Try tapping or swiping the remaining item. A prompt for Face ID, Touch ID, a passcode, or another unlock method indicates that access is gated.
- Unlock the phone and confirm that the information is still available where you expect it.
- Delete the test event or message.
Repeat the test after a major operating-system update. A software update can rename a setting, add a new lock-screen surface, or restore a default during setup.
Troubleshooting when information still appears
A calendar event is visible even though notification previews are hidden
Check whether the text is coming from a widget or At a Glance rather than from a notification card. On iPhone, turn off Widgets under Allow Access When Locked. On Pixel, inspect At a Glance settings and its sensitive-content options.
Rank #3
- [Compatible Models] - 3 Pack Privacy Glass Screen Protector for the iPhone 17e/iPhone 16e/iPhone 14/iPhone 13/iPhone 13 Pro(6.1 inch). Includes 3 privacy screen protectors and a cleaning kit. *Two types of packaging boxes are randomly shipped.
- [Full Coverage Protection] - This screen protector offers edge-to-edge protection for your device, using military-grade explosion-proof glass. It is also compatible with most phone cases, the appropriate size ensures that the phone case won't squeeze the screen protector after installation, providing double protection for the edges of the phone.
- [High Privacy Protection] - The necessary choice for you in public places. Select the optimal anti-peeping angles for the anti-spy coating to balance privacy and visual comfort. Protect your personal privacy and sensitive information from being seen by people nearby who might peek. To better protect your phone, 3mm nano-scale ultra-thin aviation glass is chosen as the material, it also protects your eyes from harsh light, ensuring a softer visual effect.
- [Superior Quality] Made of high-quality tempered glass, free of bubble wrap, easy to install and no residue when disassembled. Maintain the original touch experience, with a high-definition and clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating to prevent fingerprints, sweat and oil residue. High-hardness glass protects your screen from drops, impacts, scratches and breaks, providing ultimate protection for your phone.
- [Face ID Compatible] - Precise cutting combined with high-quality glass material supports the perfect use of the Face ID function, and it can also take high-pixel photos through the front camera.
The notification icon remains and you want nothing on the Lock Screen
Hiding sensitive content usually removes the words, not necessarily the icon or count. Open the lock-screen notification visibility menu and choose the option that suppresses notifications entirely, if your device offers it. This is a stronger change because you may no longer know an alert arrived until you unlock.
One app ignores the global setting
Open that app’s notification page in Settings. Some Android builds provide a per-app override, while others group notifications into channels with their own lock-screen behavior. On iPhone, verify both the global preview choice and the app’s notification configuration.
The menu names do not match these instructions
Confirm the phone model and operating-system version, then search Settings using the alternate terms lock screen, notifications, sensitive, and previews. Manufacturer interfaces are not identical, and a guide written for Pixel should not be treated as a universal Android path.
The owner cannot use a widget after changing the setting
That is expected when iPhone widget access is disabled: the same switch that blocks a stranger also removes the owner’s quick, locked-screen access. Unlock the phone before trying to use the widget, or turn the switch back on if the convenience is more important than the exposure risk.
Android widget support is not uniform
Do not assume every Android phone supports Lock Screen widgets in the same way. An Android Developers FAQ published in March 2025 described planned AOSP availability for tablets and mobile after Android 16 QPR1 and identified Pixel Tablet support at that time. That statement is roadmap context, not a guarantee that a particular phone in 2026 has identical widget controls. The practical test is the phone in your hand: if it has no widget surface on the locked screen, notification-privacy settings are the relevant controls.
Recommended Free Tools
Privacy choices and usability trade-offs
- Maximum privacy: disable iPhone widget access, suppress lock-screen notifications where possible, and turn off sensitive content and At a Glance categories on Pixel.
- Balanced privacy: keep alert indicators but hide their text with When Unlocked or a sensitive-content switch. This preserves awareness of incoming activity without exposing details.
- Maximum convenience: leave widgets and previews enabled, accepting that someone holding the locked phone may read the information shown there.
- Shared or visible environments: use the strictest practical option for phones left on desks, in vehicles, at workstations, or around people who should not see calendar, message, or account details.
- Emergency awareness: remember that removing all lock-screen notifications can also hide useful information, such as a family member’s call or a time-critical service alert, until the phone is unlocked.
There is no single “private mode” that covers every surface. Audit widgets, notification cards, At a Glance, voice-assistant responses, and any other item listed as accessible while locked. Change only the categories that expose information you consider sensitive, then verify the locked-screen result yourself.
Use a simple privacy audit
Start by listing every item you can see before unlocking: widget values, notification icons, notification text, calendar entries, weather details, smart-home controls, and At a Glance updates. Classify each as harmless, useful but private, or highly sensitive. This prevents you from disabling an entire lock screen when only one category needs protection.
Rank #4
- [Auto-Dusting Removal Installation] Includes everything you need with innovative automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation is just effortlessly easy in seconds. The installation tool is exclusively designed for Apple iPhone 13 6.1 inch, it will help you to install screen protectors without air Bubbles or imperfections, even if you don't have any experience.
- True 25° Privacy Protection: Most privacy protector on the market only gives 30° viewing, IMBZBK's Privacy Coatings made of new materials from Germany with Microlourver Optical Technology, It offers optimum 25° degree peep (Smaller viewing angles mean stronger privacy protection). The screen is only visible to persons directly in front of the screen, maximum protection For your privacy & sensitive information, even your friends or colleagues sitting next to you also can't see on your messages.
- Military-Grade Shatterproof Protection: IMBZBK’s screen protector sets a new industry standard with Aerospace-Grade Glass and Nano-Ceramic Fusion technology, providing 10X stronger protection than standard 9H glass. Certified by international Military Standards and SGS, it offers 10X stronger protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. Rigorously tested with 220 lbs impacts, 10-foot drops, and 10,000+ scratches, it ensures your phone remains unscathed in any environment.
- Frontal Ultra HD & Original Touch: IMBZBK's privacy protector break through the defects of the blurred picture of the privacy glass films on the market, highly restore the best visual feast brought by the screen. Even more special...Our 0.28mm ultra-thin privacy glass innovatively applied a 9th gen oleophobic nano coating (top-notch skin-friendly), effectively reduces fingerprints, oil residue by 98% to make it smoother than the original screen!
- Camera Protector & Face ID Compatible: IMBZBK's camera protector made of 9H glass effectively protect entire lens from drops, scratches, other accidents. Nano electrostatic Automatic Adsorption Technology, easy installation and not easy to fall off. Special designed black circle compatible Night Shooting Function, brings you the original of beauty to every photo and video. Due to the precise opening for the front camera, the screen protector does not interfere with the Face ID feature.
Next, change one control at a time and retest. For example, on iPhone first set Show Previews to When Unlocked; if a calendar title still appears, inspect the widget area and then disable Widgets. On Pixel, turn off Show sensitive content and separately review At a Glance. Isolating changes makes it clear which setting solved the exposure and which convenience you gave up.
Remember that a locked phone can have several ways to reveal the same fact. A meeting could appear in a Calendar widget, an At a Glance update, and a calendar-app notification. Hiding only one representation leaves the others untouched. Check the lock screen after the phone has been idle as well as immediately after a new alert, because both persistent and newly arriving items matter.
When to choose global blocking versus per-app controls
A global switch is appropriate when the phone is regularly left where other people can pick it up or see its screen. It is quick, predictable, and easier to audit, but it may hide low-risk alerts along with sensitive ones. A per-app option is preferable when one messaging, mail, finance, health, or smart-home app is the source of the concern and your device supports app-specific privacy.
On iPhone, the global preview choices provide a broad baseline, while an individual app’s notification page can refine how that app alerts you. On Android, per-app and notification-channel controls are more dependent on the manufacturer. If an app still shows details after a global change, inspect that app’s notification categories and lock-screen behavior rather than assuming the global control failed.
Keep the settings current
Apple and Google periodically revise help pages and menu labels. The paths above reflect the controls documented in the current guidance available on October 13, 2026, but a future iOS or Android update can move them. When labels differ, use Settings search and the wording on your exact device. The principle remains stable: control widget access separately from notification previews, and treat Pixel’s At a Glance as its own information source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off iPhone Widgets also hide notification previews?
No. Widgets are controlled under Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked. Notification text is controlled separately under Settings > Notifications > Show Previews.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Can I keep seeing that a notification arrived without showing its message?
Yes. On iPhone, choose When Unlocked or Never under Show Previews. On Pixel, turn off Show sensitive content while leaving lock-screen notifications enabled, if those options are available on your build.
Best Value
- [Auto-Dusting Removal Installation] Includes everything you need with innovative automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation is just effortlessly easy in seconds. The installation tool is exclusively designed for Apple iPhone 14 6.1 inch, it will help you to install screen protectors without air Bubbles or imperfections, even if you don't have any experience.
- True 25° Privacy Protection: Most privacy protector on the market only gives 30° viewing, IMBZBK's Privacy Coatings made of new materials from Germany with Microlourver Optical Technology, It offers optimum 25° degree peep (Smaller viewing angles mean stronger privacy protection). The screen is only visible to persons directly in front of the screen, maximum protection For your privacy & sensitive information, even your friends or colleagues sitting next to you also can't see on your messages.
- Military-Grade Shatterproof Protection: IMBZBK’s screen protector sets a new industry standard with Aerospace-Grade Glass and Nano-Ceramic Fusion technology, providing 10X stronger protection than standard 9H glass. Certified by international Military Standards and SGS, it offers 10X stronger protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. Rigorously tested with 220 lbs impacts, 10-foot drops, and 10,000+ scratches, it ensures your phone remains unscathed in any environment.
- Frontal Ultra HD & Original Touch: IMBZBK's privacy protector break through the defects of the blurred picture of the privacy glass films on the market, highly restore the best visual feast brought by the screen. Even more special...Our 0.28mm ultra-thin privacy glass innovatively applied a 9th gen oleophobic nano coating (top-notch skin-friendly), effectively reduces fingerprints, oil residue by 98% to make it smoother than the original screen!
- Camera Protector & Face ID Compatible: IMBZBK's camera protector made of 9H glass effectively protect entire lens from drops, scratches, other accidents. Nano electrostatic Automatic Adsorption Technology, easy installation and not easy to fall off. Special designed black circle compatible Night Shooting Function, brings you the original of beauty to every photo and video. Due to the precise opening for the front camera, the screen protector does not interfere with the Face ID feature.
Why is a calendar event still visible after I hid notification details?
It may be coming from a Calendar widget or Pixel’s At a Glance surface rather than a notification. Disable iPhone widget access or review At a Glance categories and sensitive-content settings on Pixel.
Will disabling iPhone Lock Screen widgets remove them permanently?
No. It blocks access while the phone is locked. The widgets remain available after Face ID, Touch ID, or the passcode unlocks the device.
How do I hide lock-screen notifications on a Samsung, Motorola, or other Android phone?
Use Settings search for lock screen notifications, notifications on lock screen, sensitive notifications, or show sensitive content. Menus differ by maker, Android version, region, and carrier build, so follow the options shown on that phone.
What if I want no notification icon or count at all?
Choose the device’s option to suppress lock-screen notifications entirely, if it offers one. Hiding sensitive content commonly removes the words but leaves an icon or count.
Are lock-screen widgets available on every Android phone?
No. Android widget support and controls vary by device and software version. If your phone has no locked-screen widget surface, focus on its notification-privacy settings instead.
Should I retest these settings after an update?
Yes. Updates can rename settings, move controls, add a new information surface, or restore a default during setup. Lock the phone and inspect widgets, notifications, and At a Glance after major updates.
The Bottom Line
For an iPhone, switch off Widgets under Allow Access When Locked to block locked-screen widget data, and use Show Previews separately for notification text. On Pixel, hide sensitive notification content and review At a Glance independently. Other Android phones vary, so search the exact device’s Settings and verify the result on the actual locked screen.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
