Bedtime mode helps you put away your favorite gaming phone. The feature uses Do Not Disturb (DND) mode to mute calls, texts, and other notifications, earning you some shut-eye. With the One UI 5.0 release, Samsung replaced the feature with its robust Modes system. Bedtime mode is now “Sleep” and is one of five new modes to replace Focus mode. Non-Samsung smartphones can still access Bedtime and Focus modes as these are standard Android OS features.

If you struggle to maintain consistency in your sleep pattern, here’s how to use Bedtime mode to correct that.

What is Android Bedtime mode?

Bedtime mode is a Digital Wellbeing feature that allows you to restrict device activities when you need to take a break from your phone. On Samsung devices, the feature appears as “Sleep” and is part of five modes, which include the Driving, Exercise, Relax, and Work modes. With Bedtime mode, you can set your sleep and wake-up times and repeat alarms for them every day. The feature always sets up a Do Not Disturb filter during these times that blocks calls, messages, and notifications.

Additionally, Bedtime mode houses settings for creating a dark and quiet ambiance and saving power. The mode activates Greyscale and Dark modes to drain colors from your phone. The idea is to block the visual stimulus that keeps your attention glued to your device. If you don’t want them, you can turn them off, although it defeats the purpose of Bedtime mode as you’ll experience disturbances.

How to activate Bedtime mode on stock Android OS

The Digital Wellbeing dashboard provides statistics on how you use your phone and tools for managing screen time. The dashboard is in the Settings menu, although you can pin the icon to your App gallery and access it faster. This option works on Google Pixel phones and similar models. Use the following steps to set up Bedtime mode:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll up and tap Digital Wellbeing & Parental controls.
3. Tap Bedtime mode.

4. Go to Bedtime routine > Use a schedule. Most compatible phones have additional options, such as Turn on while charging. That’s useful if you always plug in your phone or put it on a wireless charger before going to bed or taking a nap.
5. Choose a Start and End time if necessary.
6. Select the days you want Bedtime mode to turn on automatically.
7. Tap Customize to access more options.

8. Automatically, Do Not Disturb mode is activated. To turn it off, tap the toggle switch. You will experience disturbances if you do so.
9. To use Greyscale, Dark theme, and Dimmed wallpapers, tap Screen options in bedtime.
10. Tap Turn on now to activate Bedtime mode.

How to create a sleep schedule on Samsung phones

If you upgraded to the Android 13 OS, Bedtime mode is now called Sleep mode, and you’ll find it in the Modes and Routines menu. If you have a Samsung Galaxy or similar phone, here’s what you need to do:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Modes and Routines.

3. Tap Sleep, then tap Start.

4. Use the clock to set your Sleep and Wake-up time.
5. Use the schedule below the clock to choose days when the Sleep mode should turn on.
6. When you’re done, tap Next.
7. Automatically, Do Not Disturb mode is activated. To turn it off, tap the toggle switch. You will experience disturbances if you do so.
8. To choose contacts and notifications that can reach you while DnD is on, tap Calls and Messages or Notifications.

9. When you’re done, tap Next.
10. By default, Greyscale and Dark modes are switched on. You can also turn on Eye comfort shield, Sound mode and volume, and Power saving. Use the checkboxes to turn them on or off.
11. Tap Done.
12. Tap Turn on to activate Bedtime mode.

13. In Modes and Routines, you’ll find several settings to further adjust the Sleep mode in useful ways. For example, you can choose specific apps to block and others to let through, depending on their importance. Or you can set Sleep mode to activate other features when it turns on, like a battery mode to save on power. And if you use a Galaxy Watch, sync these features so that they work for both devices.

How to use Bedtime mode in Google Clock

Not all default clock apps integrate Bedtime mode. If you don’t see the feature on your phone, download Google Clock to get started.

1. Open Google Clock. If you don’t have it, install it from the Google Play Store.
2. Tap Bedtime in the lower-right corner.
3. Tap Get started.

4. Use the – and + signs to set your wake-up time.
5. Use the schedule to select days when your bedtime alarm repeats.
6. If you dock your phone with the display facing you, turn on Sunrise Alarm. This feature imitates a natural morning light, slowly waking your screen before the alarm rings.
7. Tap Sound to change the alarm tone.
8. When you’re done, tap Next.
9. Set a bedtime and choose days when the alarm repeats.
10. Tap Reminder notification to get a heads-up before the alarm rings.
11. Tap Done.

How to activate Bedtime modes in Quick Settings

The Quick Settings menu provides the fastest way to access Bedtime mode and other settings when you swipe down from the top of your screen. You can open Quick Settings on select phones when you slide down on the fingerprint sensor beside the device.

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen with two fingers to open Quick Settings.
2. Tap Modes.
3. Select Sleep.

4. If you don’t see Modes in Quick Settings, tap + to view the available buttons.
5. Drag Modes to Quick Settings. Then tap it to activate the feature.

6. If you haven’t created a sleep schedule, long press Modes to enter the Modes and Routines menu.

Improve your sleep pattern with Routines and App timers

The Digital Wellbeing menu provides insights into your daily screen time. This data can help you decide what apps you need to use less. Digital Wellbeing also provides timers that lock an app for a specific duration. You can’t use the app until the timer expires. Also, Routines allow you to set conditions and determine the resulting actions.

When you voice a command, Google Assistant activates the routine, so you don’t have to do it manually. For example, if your phone is in bedtime mode, it can play sleep sounds, read you a poem, or adjust brightness and volume. This feature presents an opportunity to multitask without moving a muscle. You can also set Routines on Samsung phones from the Modes and Routines menu. However, you’ll probably want to turn off Bixby to avoid accidentally triggering it since Google Assistant is the better option.

Make a Bedtime Routine with Google Assistant

1. Press the Home button in the navigation bar or say “Hey Google” to open Assistant.
2. Swipe up to expand Assistant.
3. Tap your profile icon.
4. Select Routines.

5. Under Your Routines, tap Bedtime.
6. Google defines a starter with commands for you to say when you need to sleep. To add more words, tap the default starter.

7. Select Add another and type a word or phrase.
8. When you’re done, tap Add starter to return to your routine settings. Add another starter if you want.
9. Under Actions, tap Add action to choose what happens when your starter occurs.
10. Google also offers suggested actions if you’re out of ideas. Tap Add under them.

11. Use the drag icon to reorder Starters and Actions.
12. When you’re done, tap Save.

Catch some Zs with digital wellbeing

Smartphones and social media aren’t going anywhere, and neither is the distracting content they display every day. If you think you’re spending too much time on your smartphone, set up Digital Wellbeing on your phone. Besides Bedtime mode, the Digital Wellbeing menu provides tools for assessing your screen time and presents the data you need to build life-changing habits. You can set goals, driving monitors, and parental controls for the little ones.