The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a protection against accidental clicks, but also a notification center that can give out personal information without even unlocking the device. For many users, showing messages from WhatsApp, SMS or mail on a locked screen becomes a privacy issue, especially for owners of Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 or Xiaomi 13, where the default feature is “Detailed notifications”.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable notifications on your lock screen, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer settings. You’ll learn how to hide message content (leaving only app icons), block notifications completely, or configure exceptions for individual messengers. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12, 13, and 14 (including global and Chinese firmware versions).
Why can Xiaomi lock screen notifications be dangerous?
At first glance, displaying notifications on a locked screen seems like a handy feature: you can quickly see who wrote or what happened without unlocking your phone.
- 🔍 Leakage of personal data: Messages from banking applications (SberBank Online, Tinkoff), confirmation codes or correspondence in the Telegram/Viber It is available to anyone who will take your phone in their hands.
- 📱 Random Actions: On some models (like Redmi 10), notifications can be scrolled or clicked directly from the lock screen, resulting in random responses or link openings.
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption: Constantly updating notifications on the lock screen makes the processor and display work harder, reducing battery life by 5-15%.
According to a study by Kaspersky Lab (2023), 68% of smartphone data thefts occur through access to notifications on a locked screen, and 42% of Xiaomi users do not even suspect that this feature can be disabled or limited.
⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with corporate email (Microsoft Outlook, Gmail), displaying notifications on the lock screen may violate company security policies.
Method 1: Disable notifications via standard MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use built-in privacy options, which is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 12T, POCO X5 Pro and Redmi Note 11.
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Notifications and Status bar section.
- Select Notifications on the lock screen.
- Click on Do Not Show Notifications (or Hide Notification Content if you want to leave only app icons).
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 Global), the path may be slightly different:
Settings → Applications → Notifications Management → Notifications on the Lock screenAfter changing your settings, restart your device to make the changes effective. If the option is inactive (grey), then your device has restrictions through Developer Mode or security policy (see Method 3).
Update MIUI to the latest version (settings → About Phone → System Update)
Make sure there is no child mode or guest profile on the device
Check if there are third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher) that can block changes
Backup important notifications (e.g. from the SMS messenger)-->
Method 2: Set up notifications for individual applications
If you want to hide notifications only from certain apps (like VK or Instagram) and leave others visible, use custom settings:
- Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar.
- Select Application Notification Management.
- Find the right app (such as WhatsApp) in the list and tap it.
- Turn off the Show on the lock screen or select Hide Content.
For banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or Alfa-Click), it is recommended to completely disable notifications on the lock screen, as they may contain:
- 💳 Card or invoice numbers
- 💰 Transfer amounts
- 🔑 One-time passwords (OTP)
Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ has a hidden feature called "Notification Blacklist" to activate it:
Settings → Special features → Notifications → BlacklistAdd applications where notifications should not be displayed on the lock screen or in the curtain.
Messages from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)
Bank Notices (Sberbank, Tinkoff)
Social networks (VK, Instagram, TikTok)
Work Letters (Outlook, Gmail)
I'm not hiding anything.-->
Method 3: Using Developer Mode for Deep Settings
If standard methods don’t work (e.g., the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra with Chinese firmware), you’ll need to use the developer mode, which requires caution, as incorrect changes can disrupt the system.
First, activate the developer mode:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 7 times on the item MIUI (you will be a developer!).
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
Now look for options related to notifications:
- 🔧 Disable notifications on the lock screen (if any)
- 🔧 Limit background activity (may hide notifications from some apps)
- 🔧 Debugging by USB → Disable permissions for notifications (advanced method)
⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4 GT, Black Shark 5) in developer mode has the option Force disable lockscreen notifications. its inclusion completely block notifications, but can lead to malfunctions. MIUI. Before changing, back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
What if the developer mode does not save the settings?
Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Notification Management
If the built-in methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities, which are especially useful for Xiaomi on older versions of MIUI (up to the 12th) or devices with custom firmware.
| Annex | Functions | Compatibility | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification History Log | Full control over notifications, including hiding them on the lock screen | MIUI 10–14, requires root rights | Complicated setup may conflict with Google Play Services |
| AutoNotification (Tasker) | Automatically conceal notifications by rules (e.g., only at night) | All versions of MIUI, but Tasker knowledge is needed | Paid version, high battery consumption |
| Heads Off | Disables pop-up notifications (including lock screen) | Android 8.0+ works without root | Does not block notifications from system applications |
To install these applications:
- Download APK from the official website (e.g. XDA Developers).
- Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
- Install and provide all necessary permissions (especially Accessibility Service).
Important: Apps like Notification History Log require root access, which can be obtained on Xiaomi via Magisk, but this cancels the warranty and can lead to the blocking of banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger).
💡
If you are using POCO Launcher or Xiaomi EU ROM, check the launcher settings – sometimes there are duplicate notification options. For example, POCO Launcher has a separate “Show notifications on the lock screen” switch in the launcher settings menu → Additional.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after the notifications on the lock screen are turned off, they can continue to appear. Let’s consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:
- 🔄 Notifications return after reboot: Reset settings MIUI before the factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Reset settings), but make a backup copy beforehand.
- 📵 Settings for individual apps don't work: Check if there are any updates for these apps (sometimes they reset permissions). Update them via Google Play.
- 🔒 Gray switch color in settings: This means that the device has a security policy active (e.g., via Android Enterprise or Knox). → Accounts.
- 📱 Notifications are shown only from system applications: to disable them, it is required ADB-Adb shell settings put global lock_screen_show_notifications 0 (PC connection and enabled debugging are required USB).
If you use Xiaomi with dual apps (clones of messengers), remember: the notification settings for them are set separately. For example, for the second WhatsApp, the path will be:
Settings → Applications → Duplicate applications → WhatsApp (2) → Notifications💡
On devices with MIUI 14 and later, lock screen notifications can be managed via Google Play Services. To check this, open Settings → Google → Lock screen notifications and turn off the Allow Notifications option.
Additional security measures for Xiaomi
Disabling notifications on the lock screen is only part of protecting your data.
- 🔐 Use a pattern lock or PIN-code instead of fingerprint (it can be unlocked by force).
- 📱 Activate Incognito Mode for Notifications in Settings → Confidentiality → Incognito mode (hiding notification content in all menus).
- 🔄 Set up automatic screen lock after 15–30 seconds of inactivity (Settings) → Display. → Sleep after).
- 🛡️ Install a leak monitoring app, such as Bitdefender Mobile Security (tracks notification access).
Xiaomi with MIUI 13/14 has a hidden Private Mode feature that completely blocks notifications and data access when activated.
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Slip 5 times on the item Private mode (it will appear after a few clicks).
- Install. PIN-mode-activation.
In this mode, the lock screen will only display the lock time and icon, without any notifications or widgets.