With this app, any device can get the heads-up notifications introduced in Android 5 “Lollipop”, no root required. And the popups actually look like those in Android Lollipop. But according to Addictivetips (and a lot of the users), this app “has done more than just replicate a feature of Lollipop. Even if you aren’t dying to try Lollipop and some of its new features, this app is worth a try“.

Looking for help? Scroll down to "Common Issues"

Features

• Displays notifications as a floating popup
• Easily control which notifications to display
• Quick actions: mark messages as read in one tap (Android 4.1+, doesn't work with all devices and apps)
• Display the heads-up on lock screen as well
• Battery friendly! (Email me if you notice significant battery consumption after installing)
• Choose how long you want the notifications to display
• Pocket detection / active display (causes a tiny increase in battery usage if you get a ton of notifications)
• Display notifications on the lock screen until dismissed
• Privacy on the lock screen
• Multiple themes
• Choose popup positioning and opacity
• Don't display heads-up while using certain apps
• Display a popup for the currently playing song
• Compact/expandable mode
• Full notification

Translating

If you speak another language, I'd appreciate if you could help us translate this the app! Go to the Crowdin page

Common issues

If no popups appear:

The universal problemsolver list

• Did you remember to enable the service by pressing the "Enable/disable" button and then setting Heads-up to ON in the next screen?
• Make sure the service actually is running. Does it show up under System Settings > Apps > Running?
• If not, reboot the phone. Does that help?
• [4.2 and earlier] Do you have any other accessibility services running? Some other services, like Pushbullet, blocks Heads-up from reading notifications.
• Uninstall the app completely, reboot the phone, and install it again. Make sure you are using the latest version. After enabling the service inside the app, reboot the phone.
• Allow more priority levels in the settings.
• Some phones block Heads-up from displaying popups. Check that "draw on top" or "display popups" is enabled in System Settings > Apps > Heads-up.

XIAOMI, ZTE and MIUI users:

Before you can use this app, you'll probably need to give it some slack when it comes to security.

1. Go to System Settings > All > Apps > Downloaded > Heads-up notifications.
2. Toggle the switch that says 'Show popup windows' (second option).
3. At the bottom, go to 'Manage permissions'.
4. Set 'I trust this app' to on.

It might also be necessary to reset the app data/settings.

Huawei users:

While I don't have any Huawei devices to test this with, a user said the following works on Huawei Ascend P7:

Open the app 'phone manager', click settings in the top right corner. Select "dropzone management" and give the app permission.

If this doesn't work, try the instructions for XIAOMI/ZTE/MIUI users.

Lollipop users:

A fix for the "Don't disturb" and "Block current app" features is on its way.

Device talking?

This is a bug in Samsung's firmware. See post on my website. If you don't need Text-To-Speech, you can also go to System Settings > Apps > All, and disable everything with TTS or Text-To-Speech in the name.

Uninstalling:

If you find that the uninstall button is disabled, go to Settings > Security > Device administrators > Heads-up, and tap Disable.

Only one notification

Yup, that's right. Heads-up does only show one notification. Period. See issue #34.

Something else?

Something I haven't covered here? I have answered all kinds questions in the issue tracker. If your question hasn't been answered there (protip: use the search box), you're probably out of luck (I don't provide support for Heads-up anymore, see note at the top of this page).

Contact

Want to get in touch? Feel free to email me about anything except asking for help using Heads-up.