Notifications are useful until they are not. When you need to sleep, focus, or just breathe, Android's Do Not Disturb (DND) and Focus Mode are the tools to silence the noise on your terms.
Do Not Disturb basics
Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings and tap Do Not Disturb. While it is on, most sounds and vibrations are suppressed. But DND is not all-or-nothing — you decide what still gets through.
Set a schedule
Open Settings → Notifications → Do Not Disturb and create a schedule:
- Time: e.g., 22:30–07:00 every day for sleep.
- Event: link to a calendar so meetings auto-silence your phone.
A schedule means you set it once and forget it. No more fumbling with the toggle at bedtime.
Allow only priority alerts
Under DND settings, choose Priority only and pick what counts as priority:
- Calls and messages from starred contacts or repeat callers.
- Alarms and reminders.
- Specific apps you mark as important.
This way a call from family still reaches you at 3 a.m., but a promo email never will.
Focus Mode (Digital Wellbeing)
Focus Mode (in Settings → Digital Wellbeing on most phones) goes further: it pauses chosen apps entirely so you are not tempted to open them. Pair it with a DND schedule for deep-work sessions. You can even put a Focus Mode shortcut in Quick Settings.
Keep pinned alerts visible
DND hides alerts, but it does not help you find the one notification you still need tomorrow. With Pinnit, pin a delivery update or an OTP before you switch on DND — it stays pinned and easy to find the moment you turn sound back on.