How do I turn off notifications at night?

Yes, Samsung has a built-in feature called Do Not Disturb that silences notifications automatically at night. You can schedule it to switch on and off at specific times every day, so you never have to remember to turn it on manually before bed. This article walks through how to set it up, what still gets through, and how it compares to Bedtime Mode.

Does Samsung have a setting to silence notifications automatically?

Samsung smartphones have a dedicated Do Not Disturb mode that silences all incoming calls, messages, and Android notifications automatically. You can activate it manually with a quick tap, or schedule it to turn on and off at the same time every night without any extra effort on your part.

You will find Do Not Disturb in your phone's Settings app under Notifications, and also as a quick toggle in the notification shade when you swipe down from the top of your screen. Once you have it set up, your phone stays quiet during the hours you choose while still giving you control over which alerts are allowed through.

How do I set Do Not Disturb to turn on automatically at night?

To schedule Do Not Disturb on a Samsung phone, go to Settings, tap Notifications, then select Do Not Disturb. From there, tap Turn on as scheduled and set your preferred start and end times. Once you save the schedule, your phone will silence Android notifications every night at those times without you lifting a finger.

Here is a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Open the Settings app on your Samsung phone.
2. Tap Notifications, then tap Do Not Disturb.
3. Toggle on Turn on as scheduled.
4. Set your Start time (for example, 10:00 PM) and your End time (for example, 7:00 AM).
5. Choose which days of the week the schedule should apply.
6. Tap the back arrow to save your settings.

From that point on, your phone will automatically go quiet at bedtime and return to normal in the morning. You can adjust the schedule at any time by following the same steps.

What calls and alerts can still get through Do Not Disturb?

Even with Do Not Disturb switched on, you can allow certain calls and alerts to come through. By default, Samsung lets you choose exceptions so that important contacts or repeated calls are never blocked. This means you can sleep soundly without worrying about missing a genuine emergency.

Inside the Do Not Disturb settings, look for the Allow exceptions section. Common options include:

• Calls from favourites: Anyone saved as a favourite contact can still ring through.
• Repeated calls: If the same person calls twice within a few minutes, the second call is allowed through on the assumption it may be urgent.
• Alarms: Your morning alarm will always sound, regardless of Do Not Disturb being active.
• Emergency alerts: Government and safety alerts are typically exempt by default.
• Specific apps: You can whitelist individual apps, such as a baby monitor or a medical alert app, so their notifications still come through.

To review or change these exceptions, go to Settings, tap Notifications, then Do Not Disturb, and look for Allow exceptions. Spend a couple of minutes here to make sure the people and apps that truly matter can still reach you.

What is Bedtime Mode and how is it different from Do Not Disturb?

Bedtime Mode is a separate feature found inside the Digital Wellbeing settings on Samsung phones. While Do Not Disturb focuses purely on silencing Android notifications and calls, Bedtime Mode goes further by also turning your screen to greyscale and dimming it, helping your eyes and brain wind down before sleep.

Think of them this way:

• Do Not Disturb is about sound and interruptions. It stops your phone from buzzing, ringing, or lighting up with notifications.
• Bedtime Mode is about reducing screen stimulation. It drains colour from the display and can be paired with Do Not Disturb to give you a full wind-down experience.

You can use them together or separately. Many people find that enabling both at the same time works best: Do Not Disturb handles the noise, and Bedtime Mode handles the visual distraction. To find Bedtime Mode, go to Settings, tap Digital Wellbeing and parental controls, then select Bedtime mode. You can schedule it to match your Do Not Disturb hours for a seamless nightly routine.

Why are some notifications still coming through at night?

If notifications are still getting through while Do Not Disturb is active, the most likely reason is that an app or contact has been set as an exception. Samsung's Do Not Disturb allows individual apps and contacts to bypass the silence, so it is worth checking your exceptions list to see what has been allowed through.

Here are the most common reasons notifications break through and how to fix them:

• An app is listed as an exception: Go to Do Not Disturb settings, tap Allow exceptions, then Apps, and remove any apps you do not want to bypass the silence.
• A contact is marked as a favourite: If you have allowed calls from favourites, check your contacts app and remove the favourite status from anyone you do not need to hear from at night.
• The repeated calls setting is on: If someone calls twice in a row, Do Not Disturb lets the second call ring through. Turn this off in the exceptions settings if you would rather block all calls.
• The Do Not Disturb schedule did not save correctly: Double-check that the schedule is toggled on and that the correct days are selected.
• A Samsung app like SmartThings has its own alert priority: Some Samsung system apps can send high-priority alerts. Check each app's individual notification settings to reduce their priority level.

Going through this checklist usually resolves the problem quickly. Once your exceptions are set exactly the way you want them, Do Not Disturb should hold firm through the night.

How SamMobile helps you get the most from your Samsung

Getting a good night's sleep without missing what matters is exactly the kind of practical challenge we cover at SamMobile. Whether you are trying to master Do Not Disturb, figure out a new One UI feature, or decide which Samsung phone is right for you, we are here to make it simple and straightforward.

Here is what you can expect from us:

• Plain-language guides written for everyday Samsung users, not tech experts
• Up-to-date coverage of One UI changes and new Samsung features as they roll out
• Honest advice to help you get more out of the device you already own
• Regular Samsung news and updates so you are always in the loop

If you have a question we have not answered yet, we would love to hear from you. Visit SamMobile to explore more guides, or get in touch with us and let us know what you would like us to cover next.