A message notification method and an electronic device are provided. The message notification method includes: receiving a message by an electronic device; detecting whether a screen of the electronic device is in an unobservable state when the message is received, the unobservable state indicating that the screen of the electronic device is downward or covered; and controlling a message notification assembly configured at a non-screen side of the electronic device to generate a visual prompt if the screen of the electronic device is in the unobservable state. Thus, the user can be notified to read or answer the received messages even if the electronic device is in the silent mode and the screen is in the unobservable state.