This guide will show Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge owners how to disable text message previews or popups, including the lock screen, to keep privacy under control. To keep prying eyes away from sensitive information, Samsung has an option to hide or show content in notifications, and we’ll explain how to disable it here.
The new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are packed with features. From an improved camera, micro SD card to IP68 water resistance. Another nice feature released on the S6 is a helpful popup of texts and a preview of the message on the lock screen, even if you can’t access it without a fingerprint, pin or password if lock screen security is enabled.
Galaxy S7 owners using the stock text messaging app will receive a pop-up notification sharing a preview of the message, we see the same in the notification bar at the top of the screen and even on the lock screen. This is fine for most, but some may want to hide or disable it from showing.
The default text messaging app built into these phones is called “Messages” and thankfully it has all these features. That said, owners who use one of the many excellent text message replacement apps won’t have to change any settings except for the last one.
Samsung’s app has lots of customization, options, and controls, but many prefer other alternatives from the Google Play Store. Owners who just want to use the pre-installed default messages app, below are quick instructions to hide some of those notifications, popups and lock screen info to keep things private. It’s safer than being upset, isn’t it?
Disable Text Pop-ups
My favorite feature is the popup notification and window for an incoming text. Allowing users to quickly reply to their input through the app and continue what they were doing. This popup shows who the message is from and a preview of the conversation that could get users in trouble at work or share sensitive information.
Something similar happens in the notification bar. A small icon appears before users drag it down and there is a small preview of the text message. Another great option. All that said, it’s really easy to disable and hide them all if you don’t want to share incoming message information. That is, the information is only visible when you open the “messages” application by you. Let’s close all this.
Launch the default “” app and hit the more button on the top right, then select settings > notifications > and turn off “” to get rid of it. It’s that easy and shown in the image above and more below.
However, to make things even easier, Samsung has added two options to the Galaxy S7 this year. The second option shown below is the one that can be disabled to stop previews. That way the notification and popup are still there, but there is a preview of the information. It gives us the same great feature without privacy concerns.
Galaxy S7 Lock Screen Information
Now we have one more thing to do, and that is to get rid of the text message (and other notification) information on the lock screen. While many love this feature, for some it is a privacy issue and can be easily disabled. Your best bet is to keep the popup active but turn off the preview and then choose how you want things to work on the lock screen below.
Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge owners who do not want an incoming message or notification and its content to be displayed on the lock screen, we remove it as follows.
Go to settings by tapping the gear-shaped icon at the top of the notification bar or in the apps menu. Then select “ and scroll down to ““. Click on the first option labeled and from there select to hide the content. This will still show notifications from messages, Gmail, Twitter, and others on the lock screen, but not detailed information. Select Don’t show notifications to remove everything; users will not see anything on the lock screen.
We’re done and now the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge is completely safe when it comes to text messages or notification previews on the lock screen. Of course the best solution is to have a fingerprint or other security measure in place, but people can still see previews of the information. Our steps above remove all these ads and give owners peace of mind. While you’re here, take a look at the awesome Galaxy S7 Edge cases below.
