Whether locked chats get notifications is a common question for many messaging app users. The short answer is: it depends on the app. Most messaging apps allow users some control over notifications for locked chats, but the specific behavior varies between platforms.
What are locked chats?
Locked chats refer to private one-on-one or group conversations that have been protected by a passcode, fingerprint, or other authentication method. Locking a chat prevents unauthorized access to the conversation while the app is open. It also typically prevents message previews from appearing on the lock screen.
Locking chats is a security feature available in many popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, Signal, and others. It helps keep sensitive conversations private even if someone else gets temporary access to your phone.
Do locked chats get notifications by default?
The default notification behavior for locked chats depends on the app:
- WhatsApp: No notifications for locked chats by default.
- Telegram: Notifications show for locked chats by default.
- Facebook Messenger: No notifications for Secret Conversations (locked chats) by default.
- Signal: Notifications show for locked chats by default.
So in apps like WhatsApp and Messenger, locked chats are completely hidden from the lock screen and notification shade when muted. But Telegram and Signal will show muted notifications for locked chats even if the contents are hidden.
Customizing notifications for locked chats
While default settings vary, most messaging apps provide at least some options for customizing notifications for locked chats:
In WhatsApp, muted locked chats never show notifications. But you can choose to always show notifications for important locked chats by enabling “Show previews” for those conversations.
Telegram
Telegram allows adjusting notification settings for Secret Chats (locked chats) independently. You can mute Secret Chats, customize the notification sound, enable preview messages, and more.
Facebook Messenger
For Messenger’s Secret Conversations, you can override the default mute and enable notifications as with any other chat. Preview messages cannot be enabled for locked chats however.
Signal
Signal allows muting notifications for individual locked chats. You can also disable all privacy-related notifications, which hides notifications for locked chats globally.
Key factors impacting notifications
A few key factors affect whether a locked chat will send notifications:
- Mute settings – If a locked chat is muted/silenced, it typically won’t send notifications.
- Preview settings – Some apps let you enable previews for notifications from locked chats.
- Global notification settings – Adjusting overall notification settings for the app impacts locked chats too.
What notification information is shown?
For muted chats, no notification content is displayed. For unmuted locked chats:
- WhatsApp: Shows contact name only.
- Telegram: Shows contact name and full message text.
- Messenger: Shows contact name only for Secret Conversations.
- Signal: Shows contact name only by default.
If message previews are enabled, Telegram and Signal will show the message text. WhatsApp and Messenger never show message text for locked chat notifications.
Do locked chats impact notification badges?
In most messaging apps, new messages in a locked chat will still count towards notification badges and unread indicators. For example, you may see “2 unread chats” but be unable to view the previews without unlocking the app.
The exception is WhatsApp on iOS – locked chats do not contribute to the unread indicator dot on the app icon.
Can I disable notifications for all locked chats?
Most messaging apps don’t have an option to globally disable notifications for all locked chats. The only way is to mute each one individually.
On iOS, turning off all notifications for the app will also disable them for locked chats. And on Telegram, disabling “Secret Chat notifications” mutes notifications globally for all Secret Chats.
Key takeaways
- Default notification behavior for locked chats depends on the app.
- You can customize notifications for individual locked chats.
- Muting, preview settings, and global notification settings impact locked chats.
- Notification content varies based on app and settings.
- Locked chats usually contribute to overall unread indicators.
- Disabling notifications app-wide is the only global option on most platforms.
Conclusion
Notifications for locked chats are designed to maximize privacy. While you get some control, messaging apps limit notification content and customization compared to regular chats.
Understanding the specific notification behavior in your messaging apps is important for keeping sensitive conversations truly private. With most apps erring on the side of caution, unwanted notifications revealing locked chat info are kept to a minimum.
At the end of the day, careful use of muting and settings customization based on chat sensitivity and contacts you trust is key to balancing notifications and privacy for locked chats in any messaging app.
Here is some example table data to visualize:
| Messaging app | Locked chat notifications enabled by default? | Can message preview be enabled? |
|---|---|---|
| No | Yes | |
| Telegram | Yes | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | No | No |
| Signal | Yes | Yes |
Here is another example table with more details on notification behavior:
| App | Locked Chat Name Shown | Message Preview Shown | Impact on Unread Badge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | |
| Telegram | Yes | Yes* | Yes |
| Messenger | Yes | No | Yes |
| Signal | Yes | Yes* | Yes |
* With preview enabled
This gives a visual summary of how the various messaging apps handle notifications for locked chats based on their different approaches to privacy and security.
In summary, notifications for locked chats are designed with privacy as a priority. Default settings hide content, but options are available to customize notifications to suit your communication needs and preferences.