How to set up Do Not Disturb: work or sleep without interruptions

Do notifications on your phone keep interrupting you while you are trying to work or sleep? The Do Not Disturb feature is your best friend. This handy setting lets you decide for yourself when you do and do not receive notifications. In this article we explain how to set up Do Not Disturb on both iPhone and Android, so you can work, sleep or enjoy quality time without interruptions.

What does the Do Not Disturb feature do?

The Do Not Disturb feature (also called DND) is a setting that blocks all incoming notifications, calls and sounds. Your phone will not vibrate, will not make a sound and your screen will not light up when new messages arrive. The notifications are not deleted: they are only held back until you turn the feature off again.

Benefits of Do Not Disturb

  • Better sleep: No more disruptive notifications that wake you up
  • Higher productivity: Work with focus and without distractions
  • Quality time: Enjoy time with your family without interruptions
  • Less stress: No constant feeling that you have to respond
  • A conscious choice: You decide when you are reachable

Setting up Do Not Disturb on iPhone

Apple has expanded the Do Not Disturb feature with Focus modes, which let you create different profiles for different situations.

Turn it on quickly from Control Center

The fastest way to turn on Do Not Disturb:

  1. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (iPhone X and newer) or swipe up from the bottom edge (older iPhones)
  2. Tap the moon icon
  3. Do Not Disturb is now active

To turn it off again, repeat these steps.

Configure Do Not Disturb in Settings

For more control over the feature:

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Tap Focus
  3. Select Do Not Disturb
  4. Here you can adjust various options

Set up an automatic schedule

You can have Do Not Disturb turn on automatically at fixed times:

  1. Go to Settings and tap Focus
  2. Select Do Not Disturb
  3. Tap Add Schedule under Set a Schedule
  4. Choose Time
  5. Set the start and end time (for example 22:00 to 07:00)
  6. Select the days on which this schedule should be active

Add exceptions

Not every call and message needs to be blocked. You can make exceptions for important contacts:

Allow people:

  1. Go to Settings and tap Focus
  2. Select Do Not Disturb
  3. Tap People
  4. Tap Add under Allow Notifications From
  5. Select the contacts who should always be able to reach you

Allow repeated calls:

  1. In the Do Not Disturb settings, scroll down
  2. Turn on Repeated Calls
  3. If someone calls twice within 3 minutes, the call gets through (handy for emergencies)

Using Focus modes

Besides Do Not Disturb, iPhone also offers other Focus modes:

  • Sleep: Made for nighttime, with dimmed notifications
  • Work: Block social media notifications during working hours
  • Personal: Block work apps during your free time
  • Driving: Turns on automatically when you are driving

You can also create your own Focus modes for specific situations.

Setting up Do Not Disturb on Android

Android offers an extensive Do Not Disturb feature with lots of customization options. The exact location in the settings can differ per brand and Android version.

Turn it on quickly from Quick Settings

  1. Swipe down from the top of your screen
  2. Swipe down again to see all quick settings
  3. Tap the Do Not Disturb icon (often a circle with a line through it)
  4. Do Not Disturb is now active

Configure Do Not Disturb

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Tap Sound & vibration (or Notifications, depending on your device)
  3. Select Do Not Disturb
  4. Here you will find all the configuration options

Set a schedule on Android

To turn on Do Not Disturb automatically at certain times:

  1. Go to Settings and open Do Not Disturb
  2. Tap Schedules or Turn on automatically
  3. Select Sleeping or create a new schedule
  4. Set the days and times
  5. Turn the schedule on

Configure exceptions

On Android, too, you can decide who is allowed to disturb you:

  1. Open the Do Not Disturb settings
  2. Tap Exceptions or People
  3. Configure the following options:

Calls:

  • From anyone
  • From contacts only
  • From starred contacts only
  • From no one

Messages:

  • Similar options as for calls

Repeat callers:

  • Turn this on to let repeated calls within 15 minutes through

Alarms and media

You can choose whether alarms and media sounds are allowed to play during Do Not Disturb:

  1. Go to the Do Not Disturb settings
  2. Look for Alarms and other interruptions
  3. Turn on Alarms (so your alarm clock still works)
  4. Choose whether media sound may continue

Do Not Disturb on specific Android brands

Samsung phones

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Notifications
  3. Select Do not disturb
  4. Configure schedules and exceptions
  5. Samsung also offers Sleep mode with extra options for nighttime use

Xiaomi phones

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Sound & vibration
  3. Select Do not disturb
  4. Set your preferences

Practical uses

Do Not Disturb for a better night's sleep

A good night's sleep starts with eliminating digital disruptions:

  1. Set up a schedule that turns on automatically around bedtime (for example 22:00)
  2. Let the schedule run until after your usual wake-up time (for example 07:30)
  3. Make sure your alarm clock still works
  4. Add close family members as an exception for emergencies
  5. Turn on repeated calls for real emergencies

Do Not Disturb at work

For productive work sessions:

  1. Create a work schedule for your office hours
  2. Block social media notifications
  3. Allow work-related apps (email, Teams, Slack)
  4. Or: block everything and schedule fixed moments to check your notifications

Do Not Disturb during meetings

Android and iPhone can turn on Do Not Disturb automatically during calendar appointments:

On iPhone:

  1. Go to Focus and select Do Not Disturb
  2. Tap Add Schedule
  3. Choose Smart Activation or link it to your Calendar

On Android:

  1. Open the Do Not Disturb settings
  2. Look for Calendar events
  3. Turn it on to activate Do Not Disturb automatically during appointments

Handy tips and tricks

Set up a shortcut

Make it easy to turn Do Not Disturb on or off quickly:

  • Make sure the icon is visible in your quick settings
  • On iPhone: press and hold the moon for more options (For 1 hour, Until this evening, etc.)
  • On Android: press and hold the icon to go straight to the settings

Combine it with Bedtime mode

Both iPhone and Android offer a special Bedtime mode that goes further than Do Not Disturb:

  • The screen turns black and white (making it less tempting to use)
  • Notifications are hidden until the morning
  • Combine it with a fixed sleep schedule for better habits

Use location-based activation

On some devices you can have Do Not Disturb turn on automatically at certain locations:

  • Home: turn it on automatically in the evening
  • Work: turn it on during meetings
  • Gym: no distractions during your workout

Troubleshooting

I am missing important calls

Check your exception settings:

  • Add important contacts to the exceptions list
  • Turn on repeated calls
  • Check that the right contact groups are selected

My alarm no longer works

Go to the Do Not Disturb settings and check whether alarms are allowed. This is usually on by default, but check it to be sure.

Do Not Disturb does not turn on automatically

Check your schedule:

  • Is the schedule turned on?
  • Are the right days selected?
  • Is the time zone in your phone settings correct?

Frequently asked questions

Can people still call me when Do Not Disturb is on?

By default, all calls are blocked when Do Not Disturb is turned on. The caller simply hears the phone ring, but your device makes no sound and does not vibrate. However, you can set up exceptions for certain contacts, such as family members or your employer. You can also turn on the Repeated Calls option: if someone calls twice within a few minutes, the call still gets through. This is handy for real emergencies.

Are my messages and notifications deleted during Do Not Disturb?

No, your messages and notifications are not deleted. They are only blocked temporarily, which means your phone makes no sound and your screen does not light up. As soon as you turn off Do Not Disturb, you will see all missed notifications in your notification bar. On some devices you can choose to hide notifications completely during Do Not Disturb, but even then they are kept and you can view them later.

Does my alarm clock still work when Do Not Disturb is on?

Yes, with the default settings your alarm clock simply works when Do Not Disturb is turned on. On both iPhone and Android, alarms are exempt from the Do Not Disturb feature by default. You can check this and adjust it if needed in the Do Not Disturb settings under Alarms or Exceptions. It would be very annoying to miss your alarm, so this exception is on by default for good reason.

Can I have Do Not Disturb turn on automatically?

Absolutely, and this is one of the handiest features. You can set up schedules based on time (for example every evening from 22:00 to 07:00), days (weekdays only), calendar appointments (during meetings), or even location (when you get home). Both iPhone and Android support multiple schedules, so you can have different settings for bedtime, work and free time.

Conclusion

The Do Not Disturb feature is a powerful tool for taking control of your digital life. Whether you want to sleep better, work more productively or simply enjoy time with your loved ones without interruptions, with the right settings you decide when you are reachable. Take the time to configure the feature the way you want it, set up automatic schedules, and do not forget to add exceptions for the contacts who really must always be able to reach you. Your phone should serve you, not the other way around.

Looking for an email address? View our plans.