Notification History keeps a short log of recent Android notifications, including alerts you dismissed or missed. It must be enabled before the notification arrives, so turning it on now only helps going forward.
These steps apply to Android 11 and later on Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, and similar phones.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you often swipe away alerts too quickly or want a place to check recent notifications without opening every app.
Turn On Notification History
- Open Settings > Notifications.
- Tap Notification history.
- Turn on Use notification history.
From this point forward, Android starts logging notifications. Anything dismissed before this setting was enabled cannot be recovered from the history screen.
Find a Dismissed Notification
- Open Settings > Notifications > Notification history.
- Look under Today or Yesterday.
- Expand the app if needed.
- Tap the notification to open the related app or message.
Add a Faster Shortcut
On many phones, touch and hold the Home Screen, open Widgets, and add a Notification History widget or settings shortcut so you can open the log in one tap.
Limits and Notes
It Is Not a Long-Term Archive
Notification History usually covers today and yesterday, not weeks of alerts. Older items fall out of the list.
Silent Notifications Still Count
Notifications from muted or silent apps can still appear in the log, which is helpful when you want to audit what quiet apps are sending.
It Is Not the Same as App History
A messaging app may still have the actual message thread. Notification History only records the Android notification banner and lock-screen alert.
Sources
- Google Support: See dismissed notifications with Notification History
- Samsung Support: View and manage notification history
- Google Pixel Help: Manage notifications