A good night's sleep depends not only on when you go to bed, but also on how you prepare your phone to disconnect . Android includes powerful tools in Digital Wellbeing and the Clock app to help you sleep better by reducing interruptions and minimizing visual stimuli.
In this guide, you'll find everything you need to master Bedtime Mode on Android: from requirements and permissions to setting up routines, display options, using Do Not Disturb, checking your nighttime activity, and, if you have a Pixel, accessing cough and snoring data . You'll also learn how to clear data, enhance your routine with app timers, and discover some tricks for minimizing blue light and distractions.
What is Bedtime Mode and what does it change on your phone?
Bedtime Mode is a Digital Wellbeing feature that automates several settings so that your phone interferes with your sleep as little as possible during your rest period. It can activate Do Not Disturb, dim or darken the screen , switch to black and white, and apply dark mode only at night.
In addition, you can choose how and when it activates: according to a fixed schedule (start and end times, with days of the week) or automatically while your phone is charging within a defined time frame. Some options allow you to deactivate the mode with your next alarm , useful when you wake up earlier than usual.
Essential requirements and permits
First, you need to use the Digital Wellbeing app and the Google Clock app. To provide you with sleep statistics, these apps access app usage data , motion and light sensors , and your time zone history during the scheduled period.
To estimate time spent in bed, the system assumes the device is switched on and remains in a dark, stable room during sleep. Note: If you leave your phone in another room or turn it off, the estimated time spent in bed may not be recorded correctly.
How to set up your bedtime routine
The most direct way is through your phone's Settings. Go to Digital Wellbeing and parental controls , and you'll see the Bedtime Mode option . From there, you can create your routine with guided instructions.
- Open Settings on your Android and go to “Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.”
- Tap “Bedtime Mode” and then “Bedtime Routine".
- Choose the method: based on a schedule (start, end and days) or that are active when loading within an “After” and “Before” interval.
- Confirm settings and, if it is the first time, tap “Ready”. You can return to the main mode screen to customize more details.
For quick access, add the tile to Quick Settings and you can toggle the mode on or off with a single tap. This shortcut lets you stay on track if your routine changes for a day due to work, travel, or studies.
Display Options and Do Not Disturb at Night
Bedtime Mode integrates with Do Not Disturb to limit calls and notifications. You can allow only important contacts, repeat emergency calls, or silence notifications completely; it's the most effective way to avoid interruptions while you sleep.
In the Sleep Screen Options you have several visual settings: activate Grayscale to see the phone in black and white, “ Keep screen dark ” to disable the always-on display, “ Dim wallpaper ” and the Night Dark Theme , so that the interface is less stimulating.
A very practical extra: you can select " Deactivate at next alarm ". If you set an alarm before the end of the schedule, the mode will automatically deactivate when that alarm sounds – perfect if you need to get up early.
Check your nighttime activity: usage and time in bed
From the " Recent Sleep Activity " card, you'll see a graph of your activity during sleep. It shows the apps used and an estimate of the time spent in bed , calculated from motion and light sensors when the phone is stationary in the room.
To see details for a specific day, tap the time above the graph (for example, “18 minutes”). You’ll also see app icons next to their usage time. If you haven’t used your phone during that time, the message “ Phone not used ” will appear.
Nothing appears on the graph? Make sure " Use sleep schedule " is turned on and that the Clock app has permission to use your data. From the activity card, tap Menu, then " Manage data " to review permissions for daily usage, sensors, and time zone.
Cough and snoring on Pixel phones: What you can see and how to turn it on
From the Clock app: Open Clock and tap " Rest ." If this is your first time, under "Show cough and snoring activity," tap " Continue " and grant the permissions. You can toggle between rest activity and the cough/snoring view.
From Digital Wellbeing: go to Settings > “ Digital Wellbeing and parental controls ”, find “Show coughing and snoring activity” and tap “ Continue ”. The next time you open Digital Wellbeing, you’ll see this data in the “ Bedtime ” section.
You can also find them using your phone's search function: type "cough" and tap " Cough and snoring " to go directly to the corresponding screen. This quick access is perfect for checking your daily summary without having to navigate through menus.
The view shows a weekly average , and when you open the daily summary, you'll see how many times you've coughed and the total time you've snored . You can navigate by week (Monday to Sunday) and view previous periods using the arrows next to the date range.
Important privacy note: On Pixel, the analysis is performed locally on the device ; no audio is sent to servers. However, please remember that this feature aims to provide you with general information to better understand your sleep patterns.
How to clear rest data if you need to
If you want to delete information collected during your sleep or daily use, you can revoke permissions and delete data from the Clock app.
- Open the app Clock.
- Touch "Rest".
- Next to “Recent Rest Activity,” tap “More".
- Go into "Manage data".
- Select what to delete: daily usage data, sensor data during sleeping hours or time zone historyYou can also remove data from Clock by keeping the Digital Wellbeing permission.
This control allows you to decide what the system keeps and what it doesn't, keeping the privacy of information related to your rest under your control.
Digital Wellbeing: Understand your usage and set limits
Beyond sleep, Digital Wellbeing helps you understand how you use your phone every day : screen time, number of unlocks, and how many notifications you receive. This data helps you identify habits you might want to adjust.
- Open Settings > “Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls".
- Explore the chart of the day and tap to see details by use time, times it was opened y notifications.
- Tap any app in the list to switch parameters or set limits.
If you'd like to keep this information handy, add the Screen Time widget (Android 9 or later) to see the three apps you use most each day on your home screen. This way, you can see your usage habits at a glance.
App Timers and Distraction-Free Mode
To curb the use of certain apps, daily timers are a lifesaver. When the allotted time expires, the app closes and its icon dims; the timer resets at midnight.
- Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Control panel.
- Next to the app you want to limit, tap “Set timer” and set the time.
- If you need to use it again before midnight, come back and delete or enlarge the timer.
When you need total concentration, activate Distraction-Free Mode : select the apps to be paused and the system will block their use and notifications for the period you define.
- Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Distraction-free mode.
- Choose which apps to pause and tap “Activate now” or schedule a time with “Establish a program".
- If you want a break, play “Take a break” to temporarily resume.
Productivity tip: Add the Distraction-Free Mode tile to Quick Settings to activate it in seconds. It's perfect for studying, working, or unwinding before bed.
Control your time on websites with Chrome
From Digital Wellbeing you can check how much time you spend on the web with Chrome and, if necessary, set limits per site.
- Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing and tap the graph of Chrome (or “Show all apps”).
- Scroll down and tap “Show sites > Show” to see the details per page.
- Click on a site for more information or tap “Set timer for the site” next to the domain you want to limit.
If you don't want to see past visits to a specific website, go to the site in the list and use " Remove past visits ". If you visit it again in the future, it will reappear in the list.
Less blue light and distractions: settings that help you sleep
The light from screens can interfere with melatonin production , disrupting circadian rhythms. To mitigate its impact, activate features like Night Light (which reduces blue light) and Dark Theme , which soften the visual experience in bed.
Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to bright light before bed can shorten and worsen sleep quality. Adjusting the color temperature to warm tones and reducing brightness, along with using grayscale in sleep mode, promotes a more peaceful transition to rest.
Do you need ambient sound? From the Clock app, in the Sleep section , you can select preset relaxing sounds ; if you use YouTube Music Premium, choose your own songs . A useful trick is to set a timer to stop playback when you fall asleep.
Shortcuts and alternatives according to your brand
On Samsung devices, you'll find similar settings within " Modes and Routines ." You can set up a nighttime routine that activates Do Not Disturb, Dark Mode , and other changes synced to your sleep schedule.
Some Motorola devices include Moto Unplugged : start a session to create a focused environment by limiting apps and interruptions, with options for duration, permissions, and a lock to ensure intentional shutdown. It doesn't replace Bedtime Mode, but it can be a helpful complement for disconnecting.
How to view and manage the feature from the Clock app
The Clock app includes a " Sleep " tab where you can set alarms, routines, sounds, and quickly access your sleep schedule. You can also switch between nighttime activity and cough/snoring (on Pixel) and check your weekly average.
If you can't find the option, use your phone's search function to type " cough " or " snoring " (on Pixel) or go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing. Having both options makes it easier to navigate through menus.
Common troubleshooting
If the graph appears empty or is missing information, check these key points: make sure " Use sleep schedule " is turned on, that the Clock app has permission to use activity data and sensors, and that your phone has been left on and in the room during your sleep period.
If the mode doesn't activate when it should, confirm the schedule and days , or if you've selected " while charging, " make sure you're actually connecting your phone within the set interval. Also, check if you have the "deactivate with next alarm" option enabled , as this can end the mode sooner.
Privacy and control of your data
Digital Wellbeing lets you choose what to record and what to delete, from app usage to overnight sensor data and time zone history. On Pixel, cough and snoring analysis is done on the device , further protecting your information.
Whenever you want, go to " Manage data " and delete what you deem appropriate. Maintaining a balance between usefulness and privacy is up to you: adjust permissions and retention settings to your preference.
Tips to get the most out of it
Set up a quick access shortcut in Quick Settings to activate sleep mode when you change your routine at the last minute. One tap and you're done, without having to rummage through settings when you're already half asleep.
Combine Bedtime Mode with app timers or Distraction-Free Mode if you tend to spend too much time on social media at night. That small limit saves you from endless scrolling at the last minute.
Remember to adjust your Do Not Disturb profiles with exceptions: allow calls from close relatives or repeated entries for emergencies, without sacrificing a quiet environment most of the time.
Taking advantage of Bedtime Mode turns your Android device into a true ally for rest: it reduces stimuli and notifications, gives you useful metrics like time spent in bed , and, if you use a Pixel, provides data on coughing and snoring . With a well-adjusted routine, less intrusive screen options, a finely tuned Do Not Disturb setting, and limits on the apps or sites that distract you most, you'll notice that going to bed with your phone nearby no longer works against you, but rather helps you disconnect and sleep better . Share this tutorial so more users can learn how to activate Bedtime Mode.