Beginner tip: How to make text messages more private
Wondering how to protect your privacy and stop iPhone SMS popups from revealing the contents of your text message? It's not set that way by default, which is pretty annoying, but it can be changed. We'll show you how, after the break!
Special thanks to Freiteez from the forums for this tip!
Here's how to make your iPhone text messages more discreet:
- From the home screen, tap on the Settings app
- Tap on Messages
- Find where it says "show preview"
- Switch to off.
Now when you get a text message, instead of showing the actual contents of the message, it will only say "text message". (Note: the name of the sender will still be displayed.)
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Senior Editor at iMore and a practicing psychotherapist specializing in stress and anxiety. She speaks everywhere from conferences to corporations, and co-hosts of the iMore show and ZEN and TECH podcasts.
There are 19 comments. Add yours.
I would think of myself as an iPhone aficionado, but I never knew about this - thanks!
I've had all of the iPhones and I was unaware of this little trick. Handy- thanks.
Thanks for putting this up Georgia. It becomes even more valuable if you send your friends random photos and then send you random ones back(if they are inappropriate) and say your parents are checking out your phone, instead of showing the image it will still just show "text message" :)
I turn this feature on everytime I stay at my girlfriends place.
Gino and I seem to have the same frame of mind.
Very good tip for snooping girls
Same as @Pat.
Wish I could do this for each individual contact.
Why are others looking at people's phones?
Since the very first model, I've had countless people ask me if they can check it out. I say "Sure, let me check out your wallet or purse."
Conversation ends.
@fastlane kinda wish I could upvote you on that one.
Neat. Thanks for this tip!
Thanks for the tip!! I didn't know about that.
How do you people not know these small features? Do none of you just go through your phone and see what it has? How lazy.
In addition to this, I don't have Facebook and Twitter messages popup either. Just a badge icon.
When my phone rings\vibrates at my desk, people always seem to want to look down, and read said message...
How do you turn off preview for Facebook and Twitter? I've looked all over to find a way and haven't been able to find it. I used the tip to shut it off for texts and I love it. Thanks for any help anyone can give.
the show preview doesnt come up on my phone
can you make the text message private even with the updated software?
If you have the 4s then you go to settings>notifications>messages.
Thanks so much for sharing!!! I've been wrecking my brain trying to figure this out!! Tried everything but the right thing!! Thanks!!
Thanks!
Good against jealous GFs haha