How to Get Bedtime Mode on Your Android Device

Google introduced Digital Wellbeing in Android 9.0 as a means to provide users with a tool to help them reduce excessive smartphone use. The feature has seen a number of updates over the years, all meant to make it more useful. In the latest update, it unveiled Bedtime mode – an option designed to quiet your phone for better sleep.

In this article, we show how to activate Bedtime Mode on your Android handset.

What Is Digital Wellbeing and Why Should You Use It?

In the modern world, smartphone addiction has become a real thing. A recent study states that smartphone addiction has a similar impact on the brain to that of drug addiction.

Given that smartphones today are such an indispensable part of human lives, the dangers of overusing them will inevitably manifest. Google has acknowledged the potential implications of spending too much time on your handset, and in response, provided Digital Wellbeing as a way to support users who want to live a more balanced life.

With Digital Wellbeing, you can do things like set app timers, activate Focus Mode, and configure “Do Not Disturb” mode. There’s even a Parental Controls section. Besides, you also get access to an overview of your digital habits, see how frequently different apps are used, and how often the phone is checked. Armed with this knowledge, users are then able to tweak their digital habits so they can finally cut down on smartphone usage for good.

How to Get Digital Wellbeing on Your Phone

This feature is now available on Android devices running Android 9.0 (Pie) or above. As of September 2019, Google has made the inclusion of Digital Wellbeing compulsory for all Android mobile device manufacturers.

You won’t find Digital Wellbeing in the app list within your app drawer. Instead, you will need to open your device’s Settings and scroll down until you find the feature.

For those with older devices, you can still get a taste of Digital Wellbeing-flavored features. Through its Google Creative Lab initiative, the tech giant has released a series of apps that don’t seem to require Digital Wellbeing being present on the device to function. Users will need, however, to have a handset running Android 8.0 Oreo (or above) for most of the apps. The app list includes Unlock Clock, which installs a live wallpaper on your device that counts the number of times you’ve unlocked your device during the day.

How to Turn on the New Bedtime Mode Feature

Google’s latest “Bedtime Mode” feature replaces the older “Wind Down” version in Digital Wellbeing.

Go to Digital Wellbeing in your Settings. Tap on the Bedtime Mode (in the “Ways to Disconnect” section), swipe through the demo part by pressing Next, and go to the configuration screen.

Here you can decide when you want Bedtime Mode to start its routine. The first option – Based on Your Schedule – requires users to set their bedtime schedule by specifying the usual hour when they go to bed and when they wake up. The second option is While Charging at Bedtime. This means that every night when you plug in your mobile to charge, Bedtime Mode will become active automatically.

While Bedtime mode is on, greyscale fades the color on your phone to black & white in order to minimize distractions. Do Not Disturb is also on to silence calls, texts, and other notifications you may receive during the night.

How to Add a Bedtime Mode Toggle in Quick Settings

Want to be able to access Bedtime Mode quickly and easily? Add a toggle to your Quick Settings. To do so, swipe down from the main screen and tap the pencil button at the bottom.

You’ll now be able to see all the extra toggles available. Find the Bedtime Mode option and long press on it to add it to your Quick Settings.

Once you’ve added Bedtime Mode to Quick Settings, you can simply tap on it to turn the feature on and off or long-press it to go directly to its settings.

If you still want to do more to improve your sleeping routine, we recommend that you also check out 4 of the best sleep-tracker apps for Android.