How To Preview Messages On Iphone Without Opening

Your iPhone gives you control over the way many of your notifications are displayed, including the notifications for text messages. Use these steps to shown messages on the lock screen on an iPhone 11.

Open Settings.
Choose Notifications.
Select Messages.
Enable the Lock Screen option, then select Show Previews.
Tap the Always button.

This article continues below with additional information and pictures for each of these steps.

Tex messaging has become a very popular way to communicate, and people often text important information.

Due to the potentially sensitive information contained in some messages, your iPhone won't show text message content on your lock screen unless it's unlocked.

While unlocking the iPhone 11 can be quick with Face ID, you might prefer to always show your text message previews on your lock screen, even if the device is still locked.

Our guide below will show you how to enable lock screen alerts for messages and show previews in that alert even when the iPhone is locked.

How to Enable Messages on the iPhone Lock Screen and Show Previews

The steps in this article were performed on an iPhone 11 in iOS 13.6.

Note that you can only show previews of messages in the alert. This will often show the full message if it's short, but longer messages will likely be clipped if there are more characters than can fit in an alert box.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Touch the Notifications button.

Step 3: Scroll down and choose the Messages option.

Step 4: Enable the Lock Screen alert option, then tap the Show Previews button near the bottom of the screen.

enable lock screen alerts then tap Show Previews

Step 5: Tap the Always option.

how to show messages on the lock screen on an iPhone 11

Now you will always see text message previews on your lock screen. Note that this also means that other people with physical access to your iPhone can pick up your iPhone and see those messages, too, even without unlocking the device.