In recent times, the Do Not Disturb feature on both iPhones and Android devices has advanced significantly. It has transformed from merely blocking notifications and distractions to offering a variety of customizable modes tailored for different situations, such as driving, sleeping, working, or exercising.
This evolution gives users greater control over which apps and contacts are allowed to interrupt them, depending on the time and setting. For example, you can configure your device to receive notifications from Slack during work hours but silence it during family time with just a few taps.
Investing a bit of time to configure these modes to align with your lifestyle can significantly reduce distractions without missing important alerts.
On Android devices, the specifics of Do Not Disturb might differ by manufacturer. Here, instructions are provided for a Pixel 9 running Android 15 and a Galaxy S25 with One UI 7. Although the process can be similar for other devices, iPhone users can explore Focus modes.
### Do Not Disturb on Pixel Phones
For Pixel users, Do Not Disturb is found under the ‘Modes’ section within Settings starting from Android 15. Besides general Do Not Disturb, preset options like Bedtime and Driving are available. There’s also a Game Dashboard and an option to create your own mode. Presets might not appear if you’ve modified Do Not Disturb settings before, but they can be recreated through ‘Create your own mode’.
To set up a new mode:
1. Name your mode and pick an icon.
2. Tap ‘Done’ to create and configure the mode.
3. Use ‘Set a schedule’ for automatic activation or manually enable or disable using ‘Turn on now’ and ‘Turn off’.
4. Under ‘People’, designate contacts that bypass Do Not Disturb for calls and messages.
5. In ‘Apps’, select which apps can interrupt the mode.
6. Adjust alarms and interruptions for alarms, media, reminders, etc.
The ‘Display settings’ allow for customization of notification visibility, screen settings like dimming or grayscale, and dark mode during a mode’s activation.
### Do Not Disturb on Galaxy Phones
Galaxy phone users can explore similar functions under ‘Modes and Routines’ in the Settings menu. Routines automate certain actions on your phone, complementing modes if needed.
Using the ‘Modes’ tab, Samsung provides several starter modes like Sleep, Exercise, and Work. To create a custom mode:
1. Choose a name, icon, and color.
2. Tap ‘Done’ to create and access settings.
3. Set a schedule under ‘When to start this mode’ or manually enable and disable with ‘Turn on’ and ‘Turn off’.
4. In ‘Ways to avoid distractions’, customize alerts, choosing contacts and apps that override Do Not Disturb.
5. ‘Restrict app usage’ further blocks apps while the mode is active.
You can expand your mode’s functionality with actions like screen adjustments, dark mode, and power saving. Lock screen and home screen settings can also be altered per mode.
Both Pixel and Galaxy users should remember to adjust notification settings within individual apps—like prioritizing emails in Gmail—to ensure they receive only the most critical notifications.
To activate these modes quickly, access them from the Modes menu in Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen.
