How to Disable Lockscreen Notifications on the Nexus 6

Google’s Nexus 6 running the completely revamped Android 5.0 Lollipop update is finally available from multiple carriers in the United States, and shipping from both Motorola.com and the Google Play Store.

Now that the handset is making its way to buyers, many will likely want to change some of the settings or features on the device. The Nexus 6 is a powerful smartphone packed with features, and we love the new lockscreen notification system in Android 5.0 Lollipop, but they might not be for everyone.

Read: Nexus 6 Setup Guide: 5 Steps to Get Started

While Android 5.0 changes the look and feel of a lot of things, for the better, one thing you’ll immediately notice is the new lockscreen and lockscreen notifications. They’re easier to use, smarter, and more interactive, but if you’d like to disable them or hide some of the content they display, read on for a quick set of how to instructions.

With the Nexus 6 we have a new lockscreen setup thanks to Android 5.0 Lollipop, and the smartphone even has an Ambient Dispaly setting that will pulsate the screen on and off in a low-power black and white mode to calmly show incoming notifications.

Once you tap the screen to interact with the lockscreen notifications, you have a few options. They can be swiped either to the left or to the right to be dismissed, or a quick double tap on any notification to instantly launch that app. It works extremely well, and is very easy. Users can also swipe from the left or right on the lockscreen to quickly launch the camera or dialer app as quick shortcuts.

However, if you don’t want notifications and sensitive information on your lockscreen, here’s how to disable it, or even set certain ones to never appear. There’s also a priority mode so you can have certain notifications always show at the top of the list. There’s a lot of control, so long as you know how to do it.

Instructions

Start by simply sliding down the notification bar shade with two fingers and selecting the gear-shaped settings button. From here navigate to “Sound & notifications” to change a few things.

In here you’ll scroll down where it says “Notification” and the first option which is “when device is locked”. Choosing this option will give owners a quick popup with two options to select. One being to show all notification content, which is enabled by default, and another that says “do not show notification at all” and this is what you’ll want to select, as shown below.

This will make it so the lockscreen no longer shows any of your notifications, and no sensitive date can be shared or seen from prying eyes.

Right below that setting is a new option and feature in Android 5.0 Lollipop called “app notifications” which is an area owners can take extra control of their notifications. If you do decide to leave lockscreen notifications enabled, here you can select which apps actually show up, make certain notifications never appear on the lockscreen, and even change priority. Meaning if you always want Gmail or Twitter notifications at the top of the list, find them in this menu and turn on the priority sliding bar.

If an app notification pops up on your lockscreen or in the notification bar a long-press will get you to these same settings, which is a quick one-tap way to instantly go in and block any particular apps notifications if you choose.

Read: How to Disable Ambient Display on the Nexus 6

With Android 5.0 Lollipop Google’s added a lot more control for notifications, when and where you get them, and how to alert you with a new do not disturb mode as well. There is a lot of new goodies in Android 5.0, so enjoy exploring, and disabled those lockscreen notifications with the steps above if you’d like.

The Nexus 6 is just now finally making its way to buyers hands and carrier stores, and as it becomes more widely available check back soon to see more Nexus 6 how tos, tips, and tricks.