You can easily hide certain messages if you don't want them on your screen.

There are different reasons why we hide messages. It could be that you don't want your partner to see them because it can ruin the perfectly good surprise you have planned for them, or that your workplace frowns upon receiving texts during work hours.

It only takes a little effort to hide your messages. You can hide specific messages from people.

Here is how to do it all.

How to hide messages on iPhone

You can hide text messages on your phone.

How to hide messages from a specific person

1. You can open the phone app.

2. You can find the contact you want to hide by selecting Contacts on the bottom menu.

To find a contact, type their name in the Search text box at the top.

3. On the top right corner, tap the Edit button.

The Phone app on iPhone, with the “Edit” button on the top of a contact’s info page highlighted.
Tap on “Edit.”
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4. Click on the pop-up window if you want to confirm.

The Phone app on iPhone, with the “Delete Contact” button on a contact’s info page highlighted.
Delete the contact’s info.
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5. Go to the settings app and scroll down.

The Settings app on iPhone, with the “Messages” option highlighted.
Select “Messages” in the Settings app.
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6. Under the heading, scroll down and turn on the toggle next to Filter Unknown senders.

The Messages app settings on iPhone, with the toggle for “Filter Unknown Senders” highlighted.
Toggle on “Filter Unknown Senders.”
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If you removed someone from your contacts, the message will go into a separate list from the rest of your messages. You can access it by tapping on the Filters on the top- left corner of the Messages app.

How to hide message alerts in a specific chain

1. You can open the Messages app.

2. As the chain continues, open the message you don't want to be displayed in.

3. The person has a face or a picture.

4. On the pop-up, hide the alert.

Pop-up on an iPhone that shows up when you tap the icon of a face on a message in the Messages app. The “Hide Alerts” toggle has been highlighted.
Turn on “Hide Alerts.”
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An alert will no longer show on your screen when a new text comes in, but you will still receive the text.

How to hide message notifications on an iPhone

1. Go to the settings app.

2. You can tap Notifications. You can open a long list of every app on your phone.

3. To stop notifications, tap Show Previews at the top of the screen, then select Never. You can choose when unlocked to only partially limit message displays, but you won't see their preview.

4. If you want to stop notifications from specific apps, scroll down on the notifications page and find the one you want to stop.

5. Allow Notifications to be turned off to stop all of the displays from popping up, or unselect the options you would like just below.

If you turn off all notifications, you will have to open each app to read any messages sent to you, or you will have to open specific apps with restricted display options.

You can only allow notifications to go to your Notification Center, which you can access from the top of the screen. Unless you go into the Notification Center, the alert won't show.