Bedtime Mode on Android: How to Set It Up on Pixel and Samsung
How to set up Bedtime mode on a Pixel and Sleep mode on a Samsung: schedule, grayscale, silent notifications, and what it doesn't do.
You planned to be asleep by eleven. Then the phone lit up, you checked one thing, and the next time you looked at the clock it was past midnight.
Bedtime mode is Android's built-in answer to that. It won't take the phone out of your hand, but it makes the last hour of the day a lot less interesting: the screen goes gray, notifications go quiet, and only alarms and important calls get through.
The short answer: on a Google Pixel, open Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime mode, open Bedtime routine and choose Use a schedule. Grayscale and silenced notifications are on by default. On a Samsung Galaxy, the same feature is called Sleep mode: open Settings > Modes and Routines > Sleep, set When to start this mode, and add Grayscale under More actions for this mode.
Menu names change between Android versions and phone brands. If a step doesn't match your screen, search Settings for "bedtime" or "sleep".
What Bedtime mode does (and doesn't do)
On a Pixel, Android describes it in one line: silence your device, dim the wallpaper, and change the screen to black and white at bedtime. Only alarms and important calls can reach you.
In practice, that means:
- Notifications are silenced. You choose which people and apps can still get through.
- The screen turns gray. Feeds, thumbnails and red badges lose most of their pull.
- The wallpaper dims, and dark theme can switch on.
- It turns itself off in the morning, at your next alarm or at the end of the schedule.
What it doesn't do: block apps. Every app still opens. Instagram, YouTube and TikTok work exactly as before, just in gray. That's the honest limit of Bedtime mode, and it matters if the problem is scrolling rather than notifications.
How to set up Bedtime mode on a Google Pixel
Turn it on and set a schedule
- Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime mode.
- Tap Bedtime routine and pick how it should start:
- Use a schedule: set the days and times, for example 22:30 to 07:00.
- Turn on while charging: it starts when you plug the phone in during your bedtime hours.
- Leave Turn off Bedtime mode at next alarm on, so it ends when your alarm rings. If no alarm is set, it turns off at the scheduled time.
To start it right now, for an early night, tap Turn on now on the same screen.
Choose what it does
- On the Bedtime mode screen, tap Customize in Modes.
- Under Notification filters, choose which People, Apps and Alarms & other interruptions can still reach you.
- Scroll down to Display settings. Here you'll find Grayscale, Keep the screen dark, Dim the wallpaper and Enable dark theme. Grayscale is on by default.
Grayscale is the most useful part for most people. If you like the effect, you can also use it during the day. Here's how to make your phone grayscale.
How to set up Bedtime mode on a Samsung Galaxy
Samsung calls it Sleep mode, and it lives in Modes and Routines rather than Digital Wellbeing. The "Bedtime mode" link at the bottom of Samsung's Digital Wellbeing screen takes you to the same place.
- Open Settings > Modes and Routines and tap Sleep.
- Under Turn on automatically, tap When to start this mode and set your usual bedtime.
- Do not disturb is already on for Sleep mode by default. Tap it to choose who can still reach you.
- Under Other actions, tap More actions for this mode. Add Grayscale, and if you like, Dark mode and Eye comfort shield. Then tap Done.
To start Sleep mode right away, tap Turn on at the top of the Sleep screen, or use the Modes button in the quick panel.
For the rest of Samsung's built-in tools, see our guide to Digital Wellbeing on Samsung.
Other Android phones
OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola and most other brands have a version of this, sometimes called Bedtime mode, Sleep mode or Wind Down. Open Settings, tap the search box and type "bedtime" or "sleep".
How easy is it to switch off?
Very. On a Pixel, the Bedtime routine has an on/off switch, and Bedtime mode can be ended from the same screen you started it on. On a Samsung, one tap on the Modes button in the quick panel turns Sleep mode off.
That's by design. Bedtime mode is a gentle nudge for the version of you who is tired and mostly wants to sleep. It isn't built to hold against the version of you who wants to watch one more video at midnight. That person keeps scrolling in gray, or turns it off.
If that sounds familiar, pair Bedtime mode with something that removes the apps instead of just dimming them. Our post on how to stop scrolling at night goes through the whole plan, from charging your phone outside the bedroom to blocks you can't undo.
When you need more than Bedtime mode: StoicOS
StoicOS is an Android system that blocks social media, streaming, games, porn and gambling at the system level. It can't be turned off or uninstalled from the phone. You decide once, and after that there's no switch to find at midnight.
For the evening, StoicOS also has BeOffline Mode. You start it yourself, choose how long, for example three hours, and all your apps are gone, not only the addictive ones. Once it's on, you can't stop it early. It runs until the time is up.
What it doesn't do: dim your screen or silence notifications on a schedule. Bedtime mode is still good for that, and the two work well together. StoicOS removes what keeps you up, and Bedtime mode makes the rest of the phone quiet.
Setup takes about 10 minutes with a computer and a USB cable, and you don't need a factory reset. It works on Android 9 and up. There's no iPhone version, because Apple doesn't allow this level of control.
Which option should you pick?
| Option | Stops you opening apps? | Can you switch it off at midnight? | Cost | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedtime mode (Pixel) | No | Yes, in a few taps | Free | 5 minutes |
| Sleep mode (Samsung) | No | Yes, one tap in the quick panel | Free | 5 minutes |
| Phone charges outside bedroom | Yes, if you stay in bed | Yes, by walking to it | Free | None |
| StoicOS | Yes, addictive apps | No | From €7/month | 10-minute setup |
| StoicOS BeOffline Mode | Yes, all apps | No, it runs until the time is up | Included | One tap at bedtime |
A good starting point: set up Bedtime mode tonight with grayscale on. If you find yourself scrolling in gray a week from now, you have your answer.
Get your life back with StoicOS
Android 9+ · From €7/month · 30-day money-back guarantee · Not available on iPhone
Related guides
- How to make your phone grayscale
- Digital Wellbeing on Samsung
- How to check screen time on Android
- How to stop scrolling at night
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bedtime mode on Android?
On a Pixel, it's in Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime mode. On a Samsung, the same feature is called Sleep mode and lives in Settings > Modes and Routines. On other phones, search Settings for "bedtime" or "sleep".
What does Bedtime mode do?
It silences notifications so only alarms and important calls get through, turns the screen gray, dims the wallpaper and can switch on dark theme. It turns itself off at your next alarm or at the end of your schedule.
Does Bedtime mode block apps?
No. All your apps still open while Bedtime mode is on. They're just gray and quiet. To stop apps from opening, use app timers or a system-level blocker like StoicOS.
How do I turn on Bedtime mode on Samsung?
Samsung calls it Sleep mode. Open Settings > Modes and Routines, tap Sleep, and set When to start this mode. Add Grayscale under More actions for this mode. You can also start it any time from the Modes button in the quick panel.
Can Bedtime mode turn on when I charge my phone?
On a Pixel, yes. Open Bedtime routine and choose Turn on while charging. It starts when you plug in your phone during your bedtime hours.
How do I turn off Bedtime mode?
On a Pixel, open Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime mode and turn it off there, or switch off the Bedtime routine to stop the schedule. On a Samsung, tap the Modes button in the quick panel.
