The Notification Center is a basic overview that allows users to view and manage all their notifications in one place on their iPhone or iPad. In the center you can see all your notifications from apps, messages and system alerts.
You can consult the message center from the lock screen of your iPhone or iPad, but also when it is unlocked. You can also manage, mute or clear notifications from the center.
Open notification center
You can open the message center in two ways depending on the status of your device. For example, there is a difference between consulting when your iPhone or iPad is locked or unlocked.
Locked
- Activate the lock screen
- Swipe up from the center of the screen with one finger
- The overview of all missed notifications is shown
Unlocked
- Swipe down from the top of the screen (near the clock).
- Then swipe up with one finger
- The overview of all missed notifications is shown
Notification Center on a Mac
Quick tip for macOS users, do you want to open Notification Center on your Mac? Then click on the date and/or time in the status bar and the notification overview will open.
Display notifications on the lock screen
When your iPhone or iPad is locked, you will see the lock screen. The notifications will be placed at the bottom of the lock screen, so that they do not cause distraction and your chosen background is easier to see.
The messages are displayed as a stack, but you can change this to a list or just the number of messages received. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to display the notification center. In the featured article below, we explained how to adjust the display.
Disable preview notifications
If desired, you can hide the notification preview on the Lock screen, so the content remains hidden when others get their hands on your device.
- Open Settings
- Navigate to ‘Notifications’
- Tap ‘Show Preview’
Then choose: Always, When unlocked or Never. The options always and never speak for themselves, the option ‘If unlocked‘ requires some further explanation.
When you choose this option, the content will be hidden until you unlock your iPhone or iPad. You can do this by looking at your screen with Face ID, by placing your finger on the Touch ID button (do not press) to read your fingerprint or with your access code.