Android 16
Samsung A36

To see past notifications that were dismissed, I can go to:

Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced settings -> Notification history

A very clumsy method. See:

https://www.androidpolice.com/check-android-notification-history-guide/

Is there a shortcut to get to notification history? Or do I have to get
an app to show that information without having to drill into settings.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

Is there a shortcut to get to notification history?

Maybe pixel specific, but on mine I pull down the notification shade, at
the bottom there's an icon of a clock inside a circular arrow.

Don't see that on my phone. Yours has a shortcut to the history, so I'm wondering if a shortcut could defined to stick onto the screen; i.e.,
one-tap shortcut to access to Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced
settings -> Notification history.

I looked at some of the notification history apps at the Play store.
All are adware. One is "free" for all of a 3-day trial after which the
author expects users to pay $14.99/week. That's right: not an outright
license (which would already be insanely expensive), but highly
expensive subscriptionware. Some wanted to install a recorder process
that always ran in the background to record the notifications instead of
just showing what Android's history already recorded. Some would only
show new notifications after the app got installed, and omitted all the
entries already present in the Android's own history log.

I'm wondering if a shortcut could be added to the Home screen that
quickly accesses the history log already available by Android.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

Yours has a shortcut to the history, so I'm wondering if a shortcut
could defined to stick onto the screen; i.e., one-tap shortcut to
access to Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced settings ->
Notification history.

I looked at some of the notification history apps at the Play store.
All are adware.

Try a generic launcher, I use this one

<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher>

or the pro version. If I search for "history" I see "Notification
History" class, within the Settings app

"com.android.settings.notification.history.NotificationHistoryActivity"

I can launch the same activity that the Pixel icon gives me, there's
also an option to put a shortcut on the home page.

When I do a search on "activity launcher" at the Play store, I don't get
a list of search results, but a direct one-match-up on that lone app. I
was hoping to see if the Pro paid version was listed since the app page
for the free version notes "contains ads" which means there is a
non-adware version. I hate ads, especially when app authors indemnify themselves against the content of the ads, especially excusing
themselves from fullscreen ads that obliterate the entire screen making
the phone unusable until the fullscreen ad is dismissed (and the "X"
close button can be scripted to run something untoward, so use the Back
nav button to back out of the fullscreen ad). In my opinion, any app
that permits fullscreen ads is rude and malware.

The app page doesn't give a comparison between the free and paid
versions. For the free version, are the ads ever displayed when the
shortcuts it creates are used? How intrusive are the ads within the app
when using it to define shortcuts? Does it ever display fullscreen ads?

The app page has a link to the author's website at:
https://activitylauncher.net/
where there was a link to the paid version at:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher.pro
which costs $2.49, so it is cheaper than Tasker ($4.49). Are there
functional differences between the free and paid versions? So far, the
only difference noted is the paid version removes the ads. The readme:
https://github.com/butzist/ActivityLauncher
doesn't mention any differences between free and paid. If I pay, I
expect MORE features than just eliminating ads. Their privacy policy:
https://activitylauncher.net/privacy-policy/
notes use of Google's Analytics for the app, and AdMob for the ads.
Maybe AdMob gets disabled when you pay, but Analytics remains. I'm not
keen but not paranoid about the anonymous tracking, just something to
note. It's a FOSS project, so a bit surprised it used Google Analytics.

I had thought about using an app to do the scripted task, like Tasker,
but I really wanted a solution or workaround that didn't involve
installing more software. Obviously not a feature Google put in
Android. I thought someone here noted in the past how to create such shortcuts, but maybe they were also using an app to create and execute
scripted shortcuts.

I did find something of a workaround, but a bit tenuous. Instead of
using the Settings icon in the drop-down panel when you swipe down from
the top of the screen, there is also the Settings app that is bundled on
the phone. The settings gear icon in the swipe-down panel always takes
me to the start of the settings menues, but the Settings app opens to
wherever I last navigated in settings. So, I can navigate to Settings

Notifications -> Advanced settings -> Notification history, and later

use the Settings app to reopen settings to that navpath. However, if I
ever go into settings again, the Settings app will show to wherever I
was previously in settings.

A better solution would be the history (clock) icon in the notifications
panel you mention is available with the Pixel. No need for additional "launcher" apps to create shortcuts. No having to drill into settings.

I won't be needing to get at past notifications very often, only when I
dismiss one, and realize I needed to look at it again. Or when I go to
dismiss one, another arrives, pushes down the one which I intended to
dismiss, and I instead end up dismissing the wrong one.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 20/1/26 8:15 am, VanguardLH wrote:

Android 16
Samsung A36

To see past notifications that were dismissed, I can go to:

Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced settings -> Notification history

A very clumsy method. See:

https://www.androidpolice.com/check-android-notification-history-guide/

Is there a shortcut to get to notification history? Or do I have to get
an app to show that information without having to drill into settings.

Swipe down the notifications panel - you will see the words "No
Notifications" (assuming you already cleared them). Tap the words "No Notifications" and it jumps straight to the Notification History page.

Android 15 on Motorola g84 5G here - but should work on any standard
Android.


--
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, UK

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher>

When I do a search on "activity launcher" at the Play store, I don't get
a list of search results, but a direct one-match-up on that lone app. I
was hoping to see if the Pro paid version was listed since the app page
for the free version notes "contains ads" which means there is a
non-adware version.

<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.szalkowski.activitylauncher.pro>

it's not expensive.

No, not expensive. Just $2.49, but you're paying a ransom that only
eliminates the ads. Nothing more.

Reminds of an old joke:
Terrorists have hijacked a planeload of lawyers. They demand a ransom
of $20 million; else they will release one lawyer every hour.

I read of a trick to show history by tapping on "No notifications" when
the list is empty. No such trick where there is 1, or more, still
showing (and where your "history" clock icon would help). Alas, even
that is not available on this Samsung phone.

Luckily it is rare I have to see a notification that was accidentally dismissed, so digging through settings (4 clicks instead of 1) isn't
that onerous.

Thanks for the hints.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Bob Henson <q59qr3wnw@mozmail.com> wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

Android 16
Samsung A36

To see past notifications that were dismissed, I can go to:

Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced settings -> Notification history

Is there a shortcut to get to notification history?

Swipe down the notifications panel - you will see the words "No Notifications" (assuming you already cleared them). Tap the words "No Notifications" and it jumps straight to the Notification History page.

Android 15 on Motorola g84 5G here - but should work on any standard Android.

Works on some phones. Unfortunately not on Samsung.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2026-01-20 10:19, VanguardLH wrote:

I'm wondering if a shortcut could be added to the Home screen that
quickly accesses the history log already available by Android.

I had that on a phone, long ago, but could not reproduce on the next model.

--
Cheers, Carlos.
ES??, EU??;

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2026-01-20 19:46, Bob Henson wrote:

On 20/1/26 8:15 am, VanguardLH wrote:

Android 16
Samsung A36

To see past notifications that were dismissed, I can go to:

ÿÿ Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced settings -> Notification history
A very clumsy method.ÿ See:

https://www.androidpolice.com/check-android-notification-history-guide/

Is there a shortcut to get to notification history?ÿ Or do I have to get
an app to show that information without having to drill into settings.

Swipe down the notifications panel - you will see the words "No Notifications" (assuming you already cleared them). Tap the words "No Notifications" and it jumps straight to the Notification History page.

Android 15 on Motorola g84 5G here - but should work on any standard Android.

Tried on my Motorola G52. At the end of the notifications, there is an
entry named "history".

Good to know.

--
Cheers, Carlos.
ES??, EU??;

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 1/20/2026 12:29 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

VanguardLH wrote:

Works on some phones. Unfortunately not on Samsung.

For Samsung phones, I recommend installing the free GoodLock NotiStar
module.

I created a shortcut on my home screen to open NotiStar. It even has an option to link it to the lock screen.

-David

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

David Oseas <doseas{nospam}@usa.net> wrote:

NotiStar

I installed Good Lock, and then it's Notistar app (which can be
installed separately of Good Lock). It offers saving a shortcut to notifications, except:

- The shortcut is on the lock screen. I don't want anyone to looking at
my notifications when the phone is supposed to be locked.
- No shortcut on the home screen which is where and when I need to view
the notifications history.
- Notistar must be started to record notifications thereafter. It will
not list the notifications already sitting in notifications history.
It records new notifications, not show old+new ones.
- I have my phone use Extend Unlock (by location at my home, and
Bluetooth connect to my desktop PC), so my phone doesn't lock while
I'm home. Notistar's shortcut is on the lock screen which I won't get
at home.

Didn't help with what I wanted: shortcut on home screen to Settings -> Notifications -> Advanced -> Notifications history.

Decided to use Activity Launcher mentioned by Andy. It let my create a shortcut on the home screen (not lock screen) that used the Settings
activity event to show the notifications history. Wish it created
smaller icons, but then 1x1 is the smallest size. Knowing which app to
pick (Settings) and which activity to choose were the difficult tasks.
it lets me pick a different icon, but the list showing available icons
is so tiny that I had to use a magnifying glass to view, and a stylus to
pick the wanted icon. Still, it worked to give me a shortcut where I
wanted that went to where I wanted without using some app that had its
own record mode for tracking notifications.

Thanks for the Notistar mention, but not really what I wanted. I did
use Good Lock's Home Up app to add a string to my home screen: "This
phone: <mycellphone>" to remind me the number for my mobile service. I
rarely call my own cell phone, and dole out my Google Voice number to
everyone that wants or needs my phone number. GV calls all my phones.
However, there are some sites that won't accept VOIP numbers, so I have
to dole out my mobile number, but I don't remember it. Digging into
Settings -> About phone is clumsy and laggy. On my old LG V20 phone, it
had a 2nd screen with multiple panels where I used the Signature panel
to show my mobile number making it quick and easy to lookup. With Home
Up, I added a note to the home screen noting my mobile number. Easy to
find, no having to tap through to anywhere else. I've had that mobile
number for a decade, yet I still have problems remembering it from rare
need to dole it out. I usually get the area code wrong.

So, I found some good use for Good Lock with the Home Up app it loads,
but the Notistar wasn't of use to me, and Activity Launcher was the
better solution.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.5
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 1/24/2026 10:41 PM, VanguardLH wrote:

- The shortcut is on the lock screen. I don't want anyone to looking at
my notifications when the phone is supposed to be locked.
- No shortcut on the home screen which is where and when I need to view
the notifications history.

1. Go to apps drawer & drag Notistar icon to your home screen to create
the shortcut
2. Go into Notistar settings and disable "Use on Lock Screen"

- Notistar must be started to record notifications thereafter. It will
not list the notifications already sitting in notifications history.
It records new notifications, not show old+new ones.

Yes, that is a shortcoming.

-David

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.5
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)