Smartphones are designed to keep us connected, but sometimes the most basic settings cause unnecessary frustration. One common question Samsung users ask is: “How do I show notifications on the lock screen of my Galaxy A36 5G?”
The lock screen is where many of us first glance when we pick up the phone. Whether it’s a text, an email, or a reminder, the lock screen can instantly inform you without requiring a full unlock. At the same time, privacy and security play a role, since not all notifications should be visible to everyone.
Research shows this decision matters. A peer-review study published in PLOS ONE demonstrated that smartphone notifications can significantly disrupt attention and cognitive control. Similarly, a study from the London School of Economics found that a large share of phone interactions begin at the lock screen — often triggered by quick checks or the fear of missing out. In short, the way you configure lock-screen notifications affects both productivity and privacy.
This article will guide you through enabling, customizing, and troubleshooting lock-screen notifications on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.
Before You Start: Important Checks
Before diving into the settings, confirm a few essentials:
- Battery Optimization: Aggressive power-saving modes can suppress background notifications. Turn off Power Saving temporarily to test.
- Do Not Disturb (DND): When enabled, DND silences alerts and prevents them from showing on the lock screen. Make sure it’s off if you expect notifications.
- Lock Method: Fingerprint or Face Unlock settings may hide notification content by default. If previews are missing, you may need to toggle the “Show content when locked” option.
- Software Version: Samsung’s One UI may label some menu paths slightly differently depending on updates, so don’t worry if wording varies.
Method A: Using the Settings Menu
- Open the Settings app from the home screen.
- Select Notifications.
- Tap Lock screen notifications.
- Choose a Notification style:
Icons only: Minimal view, just small app icons.
Details (Cards): Expanded preview showing message text and more context. - Tap Transparency to adjust background visibility (optional).
- Toggle Show content if you want message previews to appear. Toggle Hide content if you prefer notifications without revealing details.
- For finer control, go to Settings > Notifications > App notifications and select which apps can appear on the lock screen.
This is the main way most users customize their lock-screen alerts.
Method B: From the Search Bar
Samsung’s One UI allows a faster shortcut if you want quick adjustments:
- Wake up your phone and Swipe down from top to bottom of the screen tap on the Settings icon.
- Tap the Search field, type the keyword Lock screen notification.
- Enable or adjust how notifications display (icons, details, or hidden).
This method is more visual and lets you preview changes in real time.
Quick Verification
After enabling notifications, test the settings:
- Send yourself a text or email.
- Lock the phone and check the preview.
- Ensure Do Not Disturb is off.
If using Always On Display, confirm that icons appear in standby.
Privacy & Content Control
Lock-screen notifications are convenient, but they can expose private information. Samsung gives you three privacy levels:
- Show content: Full previews (sender + message). Best for personal use.
- Hide content: Only the app name shows, without message details. Useful when you need alerts but want to keep texts private.
- Don’t show notifications: The safest option in public or professional settings where privacy is essential.
You can also set rules for individual apps. For example, you might allow WhatsApp to show notifications but restrict your banking app. This balance helps maintain both usability and confidentiality.
Troubleshooting: When Notifications Don’t Show
Even after setup, some users still find notifications missing. Here are common issues and solutions:
- After a system update: Samsung sometimes changes defaults after One UI updates. Recheck Lock screen and AOD > Notifications.
- App notifications allowed but hidden: Go to Settings > Apps > select the app > Notifications. Ensure both “Allow notifications” and “Lock screen” are enabled.
- Battery optimization conflict: Certain apps may be restricted in background activity. Disable optimization for the affected app.
- Icons only showing: This simply means your notification style is set to “Icons.” Switch to “Details” for text previews.
- Persistent issues: Boot into Safe Mode to test whether third-party apps are blocking notifications.
Advanced: Using Good Lock & LockStar
Samsung’s customization tool, Good Lock, includes the LockStar module, which allows deeper control over the lock screen. With LockStar, you can reposition notifications, adjust transparency, or even disable them during certain hours. Availability depends on region and software version, but for advanced users it adds powerful personalization.
Best Practices & Recommendations
From a usability and cognitive perspective, not all notifications deserve space on the lock screen. Studies in behavioral science show that frequent alerts fragment attention and reduce focus. For better productivity and digital wellbeing:
- Allow only essential apps (messaging, calendar, reminders).
- Hide or disable low-priority apps like promotions or games.
- Use notification summaries to batch alerts and reduce constant interruptions.
- Keep Always On Display active if you rely on quick glances, but consider privacy in public settings.
Balancing visibility with minimalism helps the lock screen serve as a helpful glance, not a constant distraction.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G gives users flexible options to manage lock-screen notifications. Whether you want instant access to incoming messages or prefer to hide sensitive content, the settings allow for both convenience and security.
As research from both PLOS ONE and the London School of Economics shows, the way notifications are managed can influence not only our privacy but also our attention and productivity. By setting up your Galaxy A36 5G thoughtfully, you can strike the right balance between staying informed and staying focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why don’t I see message previews on my lock screen?
Most likely, the “Hide content” option is enabled. Go to Settings > Notifications > Lock screen notifications and switch to “Show content.”
2. Will lock-screen notifications appear if my phone is locked with fingerprint or face ID?
Yes, but the content may be hidden by default for privacy. You can change this under the same settings menu.
3. Can someone else read my texts from my lock screen?
If “Show content” is active, yes. To prevent this, use “Hide content” or disable lock-screen notifications for sensitive apps.
4. After a One UI update, my notifications look different — why?
Samsung occasionally changes default layouts or resets preferences. Simply revisit the Lock Screen settings to restore your preferred style.
5. How can I test if my settings work properly?
Send yourself a text or use a second device. Make sure DND and Battery Saver are off while testing.
