How to hide the review of notifications on the lock screen Xiaomi Redmi 8: the complete guide

The Xiaomi Redmi 8 lock screen displays notifications, messages, and even text messages by default, which is convenient for quick browsing, but poses privacy risks. If you want to hide this information from prying eyes, there are several ways to set up privacy. Depending on the version of MIUI (10 to 14) and the updates installed, the interface may differ slightly, but the principles remain the same.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from basic privacy settings to hidden system functions that allow you to completely remove the review of notifications or replace it with neutral icons. We will pay special attention to the nuances for the Redmi 8, since on budget Xiaomi models, some options available in flagships are sometimes missing. MIUI, if the standard methods did not work.

Why does the notification review appear on the lock screen?

The Lockscreen Notifications Preview is enabled by default in the Xiaomi Redmi 8, part of the MIUI policy aimed at user convenience: the system assumes that it is important for the smartphone owner to see incoming messages without unlocking the device.

  • πŸ” Data breach risk: Even if the screen is locked, anyone can read snippets of correspondence from WhatsApp, Telegram or other sources. SMS.
  • πŸ“± Intrusive Advertising: Some apps (such as games or stores) send notifications with promo content that appears on the lock.
  • πŸ”‹ Additional battery consumption: Constantly updating notifications on the screen increases the power consumption of the display.

In MIUI 12 and later, Xiaomi has added the option β€œPrivate Mode”, but on Redmi 8 (especially with MIUI 10-11), this option may not be available, in which case you will have to use alternative methods, which we will discuss later.

πŸ“Š How often do you check notifications on the lock screen?
Constantly.
Only if necessary.
I never look.
Turned them off completely.

Method 1: Disabling Preview in MIUI Settings

The easiest and safest method is to use built-in privacy options, and the instructions are valid for all versions of MIUI on Redmi 8, but the menu appearance may vary slightly:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to the Notifications and Status bar section.
  3. Select Notifications on the lock screen.
  4. In the options list, find the Notification Preview and set the value to Do Not Show or Hide Content (depending on the MIUI version).

If you don’t have a β€œPreview” option on your menu, try an alternative path:

Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ [Select messenger] β†’ Notifications β†’ Show on the lock screen β†’ Disable

Update MIUI to the latest version

Check for the β€œPrivacy” item in the settings

Make a backup copy of important messages

Reboot your smartphone before changing-->

Important: Redmi 8 with MIUI 10 may not have a separate option to hide the content of notifications, in which case move to Method 2.

Method 2: Use of the Privacy Mode (MIUI 12+)

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has implemented advanced privacy settings, including the ability to completely hide notifications on the lock screen. For Redmi 8, this mode is only available after upgrading to MIUI 12.0.3 or later.

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ Confidentiality.
  2. Select the Privacy Notices.
  3. Activate the button Hide the contents of notifications on the lock screen.
  4. In the Exclusions section, you can specify the applications whose notifications will be displayed (for example, Calls or Alarm).
MIUI versionPresence of a β€œconfidentiality” regimeAn alternative path
MIUI 10-11❌ No.Settings β†’ Screen lock β†’ Additional
MIUI 12.0.1-12.0.2⚠️ Partially (only for some applications)Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Notification settings
MIUI 12.0.3+βœ… Yes (full regimen)Settings β†’ Privacy β†’ Notifications
MIUI 13-14βœ… Yes. + extensionSettings β†’ Lock screen β†’ Privacy

A critical feature for Redmi 8: if the Privacy mode does not appear after upgrading to MIUI 12+, reset notification settings via Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ [Triple] β†’ Reset notification settings.

Method 3: Disabling notifications for individual applications

If you only need to hide notifications from specific messengers (like Viber or Facebook Messenger), use customized settings for each application, which will leave important alerts (calls, SMS) visible, hiding the rest:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Select the app you want (such as WhatsApp).
  3. Go to Notifications.
  4. Turn off the option to Show on the lock screen or set Hide content.
  5. To completely disable notifications, deactivate the Allow Notifications switch.
  • πŸ“Œ For Telegram: in the app notification settings there is a separate preview item - set the value without text.
  • πŸ’¬ For SMS: path of adjustment β†’ Notifications and status bar β†’ Notifications of communications β†’ Show on the lock screen.
  • 🎡 For music apps: Turn off the option to Show Locks in player settings (e.g. Mi Music or Spotify).

πŸ’‘

If messages stop coming after disabling the notifications for the messenger, check the sync settings in your Google account. Sometimes MIUI resets permissions for the background work of applications.

Method 4: Using third-party apps to block notifications

If the built-in MIUI settings do not completely remove the notification review, you can use third-party utilities. The following applications will work for Redmi 8 (available on Google Play):

  • πŸ”’ Notisave: Stores notifications in a secure partition and hides them from the lock screen. Requires permission to access notifications.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Notification History Log: keeps a log of notifications and lets you filter their display. MIUI 10-14.
  • πŸ”‘ Lockscreen Notifications Disabler: a specialized application to disable preview (works without root rights).

Instructions for setting up Notisave:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, grant permission to access notifications (go to settings and activate Notisave in the list of apps with access).
  3. In Notisave settings, select Hide notifications on the lock screen.
  4. Add exception apps (like Calls) if you want to leave their notifications visible.

⚠️ Note: Notification blocking apps may conflict with energy saving modes MIUI. After installation, add them to the AutoStart list and Without restrictions via Settings β†’ Battery and productivity β†’ Battery consumption management.

Method 5: Reset the lock screen settings (last resort)

If none of the above methods worked, the reason may be a failure in the settings of MIUI, in this case, will help to reset the lock screen settings without losing data:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Select Reset Lock Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
  3. Confirm the action with a password or pattern lock.
  4. After the reboot, reset your fingerprint/face and check the notifications display.

This method will return all lock screen settings to factory settings, including:

  • πŸ” Unlocking settings (PIN, graphical).
  • πŸ“± Widgets on the lock screen.
  • πŸ”” Notification display parameters.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a Smart Lock, you'll have to reset it after the reset. Write down all trusted Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi networks in advance.

What if the notifications are still shown after the reset?
If the reset didn’t help, the problem could be customized firmware or system files corruption. In this case: 1. Check the MIUI version in Settings β†’ About phone. If it’s an informal build (e.g. xiaomi.eu), upgrade it to the latest stable version. 2. Complete reset via Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Restore and Reset β†’ Reset (pre-back up data). 3. If the problem persists, contact Xiaomi’s service center – you may need to flash the device.

Additional Security Tips for Lock Screen

In addition to hiding notifications, we recommend you take additional steps to protect your privacy on Redmi 8:

  • πŸ”’ Turn off the hints on the lock screen: in Settings β†’ Screen locking β†’ Additionally, deactivate the options to Show hints and show notifications about missed calls.
  • πŸ‘€ Set up a personal data hiding: in Settings β†’ Confidentiality β†’ Special permits β†’ Access notifications check which apps have access to your alerts.
  • πŸ”„ Use alternative launchers: Some shells (like Nova Launcher) allow you to control the display of notifications on the lock screen regardless of the size of the screen. MIUI.
  • πŸ“± Activate "Guest Mode": in Settings β†’ System and device β†’ Additionally. β†’ Users can create a guest profile with limited access to notifications.

For maximum protection, combine several methods. For example, disable the preview in the MIUI settings and additionally use Notisave to filter notifications. Remember to check system updates regularly - newer versions of MIUI often feature additional privacy options.

πŸ’‘

On Redmi 8 with MIUI 10-11, the most reliable way to hide notifications is to manually disable them for each application. In MIUI 12+, use Privacy mode, as it blocks system-level previews.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up notifications on Redmi 8

Why did notifications start to appear on the lock screen again after the MIUI update?
For major updates (e.g., from MIUI 11 to MIUI 12), the system resets some privacy settings. Once the update is installed, recheck the settings in Settings β†’ Notifications β†’ Lock screen and reset if necessary.
Can you hide notifications only for certain contacts?
MIUI does not provide this feature at the system level, but some messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) allow you to configure notifications for individual chats. In the dialog settings, select No Sound or Disable Notifications.
Will it work with third-party apps if there is no Google Play on the phone?
Yeah, but I'll have to install it. APK-Download applications (such as Notisave) from verified sources (APKMirror) and allow installation from unknown sources in Settings β†’ Confidentiality β†’ Special permits.
How to return notifications to the lock screen if I accidentally turned them off?
Go to Settings β†’ Notifications and Status bar β†’ Notifications on the lock screen and select Show Content or Show Icons. For individual applications, path: Settings β†’ Applications β†’ [Select App] β†’ Notifications β†’ Show on the lock screen.
Is it true that turning off notifications on the lock screen saves battery life?
Yes, but the effect is minimal. The lock screen consumes power mainly from the display backlight, not from the notification processing. However, if you get hundreds of alerts a day, turning them off can extend the operating time by 5-10%. For significant savings, it is better to optimize the settings β†’ Battery β†’ Power Saving mode.