Notifications are a crucial part of staying connected, but sometimes you open your iPhone and see only “Notification” or “Message” instead of the actual content. If you want to always show notification previews on your iPhone 11, this guide will walk you through every setting and step, so you never miss important information.
Why Notification Previews Matter
Notification previews allow you to:
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See the content of messages at a glance
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Respond faster to emails, texts, and app alerts
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Stay updated without unlocking your phone every time
Without previews, notifications only show the app name or a generic alert, which can slow you down.
Step 1: Open the Settings App
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Unlock your iPhone 11.
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Locate and tap the Settings app (gear icon).
Step 2: Go to Notifications
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Scroll down and tap Notifications.
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Here, you’ll see a list of all your apps with notification options.
Step 3: Select Show Previews
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At the top of the Notifications menu, tap Show Previews.
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This controls how content is displayed on the lock screen, notification center, and banners.
Step 4: Choose “Always”
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From the options, select Always.
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This ensures that notification previews are visible even when your iPhone is locked.
Tip: You may need to adjust Face ID or Touch ID settings for secure access if you have sensitive content.
Step 5: Customize App-Specific Previews
Some apps may have their own preview settings:
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Tap the app from the Notifications list.
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Check Show Previews under that app’s notification settings.
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Choose Always or When Unlocked as needed.
This allows you to control privacy for apps like Messages or Mail while keeping other apps fully visible.
Understanding the Options: Always, When Unlocked, Never
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Always: Notifications show full content, even on the lock screen.
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When Unlocked: Previews only appear after you unlock your iPhone (safer for privacy).
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Never: Only shows the app name, hiding content entirely.
Choose according to your security preferences.
Control Center Quick Tip for Privacy
You can temporarily hide previews without changing settings:
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Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
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Tap Focus/Do Not Disturb to silence notifications temporarily.
Great for meetings, classrooms, or private situations.
Using Face ID/Touch ID for Secure Previews
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Face ID can automatically reveal previews only to you.
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Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Attention Aware Features.
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Enable it to prevent others from reading your notifications.
Troubleshooting Notification Previews
If previews don’t appear:
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Ensure Settings → Notifications → Show Previews → Always is enabled.
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Check app-specific settings under Notifications → [App].
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Disable Focus modes that may suppress notifications.
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Restart your iPhone if settings don’t apply.
Tips to Avoid Missing Notifications
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Enable Banners in notification settings for instant alerts.
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Allow Sounds for urgent apps like Messages.
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Keep Show on Lock Screen toggled on for essential apps.
Mobile Data and Focus Mode Effects
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Notifications may not show previews if mobile data is off for certain apps.
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Focus or Do Not Disturb mode can suppress previews until unlocked.
How Lock Screen Settings Affect Previews
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Always show previews works only if Show on Lock Screen is enabled.
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Go to Settings → Notifications → [App] → Lock Screen and toggle on.
Summary and Key Takeaways
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Always show notification previews ensures full content visibility.
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Customize both global and app-specific settings for flexibility.
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Use Face ID and Focus mode wisely to balance privacy and convenience.
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Restarting your iPhone can solve persistent preview issues.
Following these steps ensures you never miss critical information on your iPhone 11.
FAQs About Notification Previews
1. Can I show previews only for Messages?
Yes, tap Messages under Notifications and adjust Show Previews individually.
2. Why do previews sometimes disappear?
Focus modes, Do Not Disturb, or app-specific settings may override global settings.
3. Will Face ID reveal previews to others?
No, attention-aware features ensure only you can see them.
4. Can I hide previews for sensitive apps?
Yes, set Show Previews → When Unlocked or Never for those apps.
5. Do these settings work on all iPhones?
Yes, but the exact menu path may vary slightly on models before iPhone X.
Key Takeaways
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Global and app-specific settings control notification previews.
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Use Always for maximum visibility or When Unlocked for privacy.
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Face ID and Focus modes can enhance security.
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Restart or troubleshoot if previews fail to appear.