Schedule Do Not Disturb on Android and Let the Right People Through

Want quiet nights or meeting time without missing your alarm or a call from family? Android’s built-in Do Not Disturb can turn on on a schedule and still let chosen people, apps and alarms through. Follow the steps for your phone below.

What You Need

Pixel and Most Stock Android Phones

Settings can vary by phone. Menu names changed with Modes on newer Android.

1. 01

   Step 1: Open Do Not Disturb

   Open the Settings app. Tap Modes > Do Not Disturb.

   On some phones or older Android versions, look under Notifications > Do Not Disturb, or Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb.

2. 02

   Step 2: Set when it turns on

   Choose how it starts:

   • Tap Turn on now for right away.
   • Or set it to turn on automatically — for example with a schedule such as Bedtime, or under Turn on automatically / Add rule > Time on older Android.

   Some of these Modes steps need Android 14 or newer.

3. 03

   Step 3: Allow people

   Under Notification filters (or similar), open People. Choose who can still call or message you. Optionally turn on Allow repeat callers so a second call from the same person within 15 minutes gets through.

4. 04

   Step 4: Allow apps

   Open Apps and pick which apps may still notify you while Do Not Disturb is on.

5. 05

   Step 5: Allow alarms and other sounds

   Open Alarms & other interruptions. Choose whether to allow alarms, media, touch sounds, reminders or calendar events.

   Critical system and security notifications can still show.

Samsung Galaxy

Screens and settings vary by model, software version and carrier.

1. 01

   Step 1: Open Do not disturb settings

   Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers to open Quick settings. Touch and hold the Do not disturb icon.

   Or go to Settings > Notifications > Do not disturb.

2. 02

   Step 2: Add a schedule

   Tap Add schedule. On some phones, tap Turn on as scheduled, then Add (+).

   Enter a title, set the days and times you want, then tap Save. Turn the switch on for that schedule. You can add more than one.

3. 03

   Step 3: Set exceptions

   Under Allowed during Do not disturb, set:

   • Calls and messages — contacts and repeat callers
   • App notifications — specific apps
   • Alarms and sounds — alarms, media, touch sounds, calendar events, reminders
4. 04

   Step 4: Optional: Modes and Routines

   For a fuller “focus” setup, open Settings > Modes and Routines > Modes. Create or edit a mode, turn on Do not disturb there, and set when it starts automatically.

Turn It On From Quick Settings

Keep Alarms On