Set up Android Do Not Disturb and choose which alerts can interrupt you

By Device Basics

DND means Do Not Disturb. On Android, it controls which calls, notifications and sounds can interrupt you. It does not necessarily silence everything: allowed contacts, apps and alarms can remain enabled, and critical system notifications can still appear. Google’s Android guide explains these exceptions.

Before switching it on overnight, check your alarm and the people you need to hear from.

Find and turn on Do Not Disturb

Menu names vary by phone and software version. Use the route that matches your screen:

• Pixel with Modes: Open Settings → Modes → Do Not Disturb. After reviewing the filters below, tap Turn on now. For quick access, swipe down from the top, tap Modes → Do Not Disturb → Done. See Google’s Pixel instructions.
• Samsung Galaxy: Open Settings, search for Do not disturb, and select it. You can also swipe down with two fingers and tap the Do not disturb icon; touch and hold it to open its settings. See Samsung’s instructions.
• Other Android phones or older menus: Search Settings for Do Not Disturb. Google also documents a Sound & vibration → Do Not Disturb route on some versions. Follow the labels on your phone rather than assuming every Android menu is identical. Android menu guidance

To turn DND off, return to the same control and switch it off or deselect it.

Choose what is allowed through

On Pixel, look under Notification filters. On Galaxy, look under Allowed during Do not disturb. Google and Samsung document the following controls, though their labels differ. Pixel filters · Galaxy exceptions

Setting	What to check before enabling DND
People / Calls and messages	Choose whose calls and messages are allowed. Review both; allowing calls is not the same decision as allowing messages.
Repeat callers	Decide whether repeated calls should interrupt you. On Google’s documented setup, this allows a call when the same person calls twice within 15 minutes.
Apps / App notifications	Keep only the apps you want to be able to notify you.
Alarms & other interruptions / Alarms and sounds	Review alarms, media sound, touch sounds, calendar events and reminders separately. Do not assume alarms are allowed.

For a quiet night while remaining reachable, a reasonable starting point is to allow your alarm and chosen contacts, then remove unnecessary app exceptions. Leave repeat callers off if you do not want that additional route through DND.

Sound and visibility are separate controls. A notification may remain visible even when it does not make a sound. Within a Pixel mode, open More settings → Display settings → Display options for filtered notifications; Galaxy offers Hide notifications, including options for pop-ups, badges and notification-panel visibility. Critical system notifications are not fully suppressible through DND. Pixel display settings · Galaxy notification visibility

Set an end time—and check your setup

On Pixel, Settings → Modes → Do Not Disturb → Duration for Quick Settings lets you choose a timed duration, “Until you turn it off,” or “Ask every time.” For a one-off meeting, a timed duration avoids leaving it enabled afterward. Pixel duration options

On Galaxy, open DND settings and tap Add schedule to set recurring quiet hours. On some devices, tap Turn on as scheduled → Add instead. Enter a title and your timing preferences, tap Save, and check that the schedule’s switch is enabled. Galaxy scheduling

Before relying on DND, try a short test alarm and ask an allowed contact to call while it is active. If an expected alert is missing, check its filter and whether another mode, such as Bedtime, is also blocking it. Google specifically advises checking all Modes when alarms or contacts do not alert as expected. Pixel troubleshooting guidance

If something still interrupts you, first check the matching exception: people and repeat callers for calls, apps for notifications, or alarms and sounds for audio. If DND returns after you turn it off, review your schedules and automatic modes. If the menus do not match or a short test still fails, use your phone manufacturer’s support before relying on that setup for an important call or wake-up alarm.