Notifications about new SMS often go unnoticed - especially when the phone is in a bag or in silent mode. But what if important messages you need to see right away without unlocking the screen? On Android, there are several ways to display the contents of SMS on the display: from built-in functions to specialized applications.

Many users do not even suspect that their smartphone already knows how to show the text of messages on the locked screen - just enable a couple of settings. Others want more advanced solutions: pop-up windows with large fonts, voiceover, or even displaying SMS on external screens (for example, on a smart watch). In this article, we will look at all the current methods - from simple to the most unobvious.

⚠️ Important: Some methods require granting applications access to SMS. Before installing third-party software, check reviews Google Play and the permissions it requests. Fake "SMS managers" are often used to steal data.

1. Built-in Lock Screen Notifications

The easiest way is to use the standard Android settings. Most modern smartphones (Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Google Pixel etc.) support displaying SMS text directly on the locked screen.

How to enable:

  1. Open Settings → Notifications.
  2. Select Notifications on the lock screen (the name may differ: "Notification content", "Show text").
  3. Set the mode Show content (not "Hide").
  4. For Samsung: additionally check Settings → Lock screen → Widgets → Notifications.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) text SMS can be hidden if the message contains confidential information (bank codes, passwords). This is a security limitation - you can only bypass it through third-party applications.

📊 What smartphone do you have?
Samsung
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco
Google Pixel
Huawei/Honor
Another brand

2. Setting up pop-up notifications for SMS

If the standard display on the locked screen is not enough, you can set up pop-up windows (pop-up) that appear on top of all applications. This is convenient when the phone is unlocked, but you are busy with something else.

Instructions for the standard application Messages:

  • 📱 Open the application Messages (or Google Messages).
  • 🔧 Go to Settings → Notifications.
  • 🔔 Turn on the option Pop-up notifications or Show as pop-up window.
  • 📝 Customize the display duration (usually 3-10 seconds).

On Samsung the path may vary: Messages → ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Notifications → Notification style → Pop-up.

The "Messages" application is open

The "Notifications" section is found

Enabled pop-up windows

The display time is set to at least 5 seconds-->

💡 Tip: In some firmware (for example, One UI from Samsung) you can set font size in a pop-up window This is useful for people with poor vision - text. will be displayed larger than in the standard notification.

3. Third-party applications for advanced SMS display

If there are few built-in functions, third-party software will help. The best applications for displaying SMS on the screen:

Application Features Cons
SMS Popup Pop-up windows with customization of font, color, transparency. Supports voice acting. Advertising in the free version. Requires access to SMS.
Floating Notifications Floating notifications that do not disappear until manually closed. Works with any messenger. Complex settings for beginners.
SMS to Speech Reads SMS out loud + shows text on the screen. Voicing works only in English and some European languages.

⚠️ Attention: Applications like SMS Popup may conflict with power-saving modes (for example, Minimum consumption on XiaomiIf notifications are not shown, add the application to the battery optimization exclusion list.

🔹 How to install and configure SMS Popup:

  1. Download the application from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, provide access to SMS and Notifications.
  3. In the settings, select: 
    Popup Style → Custom

    Text Size → Large (or Extra Large)
    

    Background → Semi-Transparent
    

    Display Duration → 10 sec

  4. Enable the option Show on Lock Screen.

4. Output SMS to external screens (smart watches, car display)

If you need to see SMS not only on the phone, but also on other devices connected to Android, use:

  • 📺 Android Auto (for car radios): shows SMS notifications and allows you to respond by voice.
  • ⌚ Wear OS (for smart watches): displays the text of messages on the watch face Set in the application Wear OS to. phone.
  • 💻 Pushbullet: synchronizes SMS with a computer (Windows/macOS) and displays them in the browser.

🔹 Settings for Android Auto:

  1. Connect the phone to the radio via USB or Wi-Fi.
  2. In settings Android Auto on your phone, turn on Notifications → Show message contents.
  3. When an SMS is received, the text will be displayed on the car screen, and the voice assistant will offer to dictate the answer.

⚠️ Attention: On some car head units (especially Chinese), the function of displaying SMS text may be disabled by the manufacturer due to local legislation restrictions. Check compatibility on the radio manufacturer's website.

5. Using Tasker to customize SMS display

For advanced users who want complete control over how how and when SMS are displayed on the screen, this is suitable application Tasker. It allows you to create automatic scenarios, for example:

  • Show SMS only from certain contacts.
  • Display a notification on the entire screen with a large font.
  • Turn on the screen backlight when receiving a message at night.

🔹 Example of a task for displaying SMS on the full screen:

  1. Install Tasker plugin AutoNotification.
  2. Create a new task with a trigger Event → Phone → Received Text.
  3. Add an action Alert → Popup and configure: 
    Text: %SMSRB (message text)

    Background: Black
    

    Text Size: 24
    

    Full Screen: On
    

    Timeout: 15 seconds

  4. Save the task and activate it.

💡 Tip: B Tasker you can add a condition so that the pop-up window appears only when the phone is connected to charging or in a horizontal position. This is useful if you want to see SMS, for example, only at home on a stand.

How to debug a task in Tasker if it does not work?

1. Check if Tasker is enabled in the accessibility settings (Settings → Special features → Tasker).

2. Make sure that the correct filter is specified in the trigger (for example, Sender: +79123456789 for a specific contact).

3. In the Tasker logs (Menu → More → Run Log) look whether the task was performed and at what stage the error occurred.

4. If used Android 10+, check the permissions for SMS and Notifications in the application settings.

6. Problems and solutions: why SMS are not displayed on the screen

If you have configured everything according to the instructions, but SMS are still not displayed, check:

Problem Cause Solution
Notifications appear, but without text In the settings, "Hide content" is selected Change in Settings → Notifications → Content on the lock screen to "Show"
Pop-up windows do not work The application has been added to battery optimization Exclude it from energy saving in battery settings
SMS are displayed with a delay Weak network signal or synchronization problems Check APN settings or restart the phone
The application does not receive SMS Permissions not granted Go to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Permissions and enable access to SMS

🔹 What to do if Notifications don't work? Xiaomi notifications not working?

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco aggressive optimization often works. MIUI. To fix:

  1. Open Settings → Battery and performance → Battery management.
  2. Select mode Without restrictions for the SMS application.
  3. Enable Autostart and Secondary launch for this application.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Huawei and Honor (with EMUI) may require additional permission Display pop-up windows while running in the background. It can be found in the application settings → Permissions → Other permissions.

7. Security: how not to show SMS to everyone around

Displaying SMS on the screen is convenient, but creates a risk that confidential information will be seen by strangers. How to protect yourself:

  • 🔒 Hide notifications for sensitive messages. In Google Messages you can disable previews for SMS with bank codes: Settings → Notifications → Sensitive content.
  • 👤 Use the "Black List" of contacts. Configure so that SMS from unknown numbers are not displayed on the screen.
  • 🔍 Set up a screen lock. Even if an SMS is visible on the locked screen, it cannot be read completely without unlocking (on some firmware).
  • 📱 Use Secure Folder (Samsung) or Private Space (Xiaomi). Transfer applications with important SMS to them.

🔹 How to hide SMS text on the lock screen for individual contacts:

In Google Messages:

  1. Open a chat with the contact.
  2. Click on three dots → Details → Notifications.
  3. Select Mute or Hide notifications.

The Samsung One UI 5.0+ has a unique "Confidential Mode" feature for notifications: if you enable it, the SMS text will be hidden until unlocked with a fingerprint or face scan.

💡

Always check what permissions the application requests for working with SMS. If it asks for access to contacts, call history or location for no obvious reason, this is a reason to be wary.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about displaying SMS on Android

Is it possible to display SMS on the screen if the phone is turned off?

No, the phone must be turned on to display notifications. However, some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy with the function Always On Display) show icons of new messages even when turned off - but not their text.

Why is there no "pop-up notifications" option for SMS on mine? Honor there is no "pop-up notification" option for SMS?

On devices with EMUI (firmware Huawei/Honor) the path to the settings is different: Messages → Settings → Notifications → Notification style → Pop-up window. If there is no option, update the application Messages via AppGallery.

Is it possible to customize the color and font pop-up SMS?

Yes, but only through third-party applications like SMS Popup or Floating Notifications. In the standard application Messages there are no such settings.

How to make SMS displayed on the screen Android Auto only when the car is stationary?

Use Tasker with plugin AutoApps:

  1. Create a profile with the condition State → Sensor → AutoApps → Speed (speed 0 km/h).
  2. Add a task to display SMS via AutoNotification.

Alternative: in settings Android Auto turn off message notifications while driving.

Will displaying SMS on the screen work if I use Dual Messenger (double messenger) on Samsung?

Yes, but you need to configure notifications separately for each instance of the application. Go to Settings → Additional features → Dual Messenger, select a copy of the application Messages and configure notifications for it in the same way as for the main one.