How to Set Up Do Not Disturb on Your iPhone or Android Phone

Do Not Disturb is a setting on your phone that silences calls, texts, and app alerts during times you choose — like while you sleep, attend a doctor's appointment, or sit down to read. Your phone is still on and receiving messages. It silences them until you are ready to look.

One of the most common phone problems seniors call us about is: "My phone stopped ringing." In many cases, Do Not Disturb was turned on by accident and never turned off. This guide shows you how to check whether it is on, how to set a schedule so it turns on and off automatically, and how to make sure family members can always reach you in a real emergency.

Why use it?

Without Do Not Disturb, every text, news alert, and app notification wakes you up at night or interrupts your meal. With Do Not Disturb, your phone is quiet when you want it to be — and you can still get through to emergency contacts anytime.

iPhone: Do Not Disturb and Focus

Apple calls this feature "Focus" on every current iPhone. Do Not Disturb is the simplest Focus option. It silences everything except the contacts you choose.

To turn it on right now, swipe down from the upper-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center. Look for a crescent moon icon. Tap it once to turn on Do Not Disturb. Tap it again to turn it off. If you do not see the crescent moon, look for a "Focus" button instead.

To set a schedule so it turns on automatically at bedtime: 1. Open the Settings app (the gray gear icon). 2. Scroll down and tap Focus. 3. Tap Do Not Disturb. 4. Tap Add Schedule. 5. Set a start time (for example, 10:00 PM) and an end time (for example, 7:00 AM). 6. Tap Save.

Now your phone will silence itself every night and wake up every morning automatically.

Letting important people through on iPhone

You do not have to block everyone. In the Do Not Disturb settings: - Tap People, then tap Allow Calls From. - Choose Favorites (anyone you have added to your Favorites list in the Phone app) or choose specific contacts. - Turn on Allow Repeated Calls. This means if someone calls you twice within three minutes, the second call will ring through. This is useful for emergencies — a family member who needs you urgently will call back.

Android: Do Not Disturb

Android phones from different makers (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and others) all have Do Not Disturb, though the exact steps differ slightly. These instructions cover most current Android phones.

To turn it on right now, swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers to open the Quick Settings panel. Look for a "Do Not Disturb" button with a minus sign or crescent moon. Tap it to turn it on. Tap it again to turn it off.

If you accidentally left it on and your phone is silent, this is the first place to check.

To set a schedule: 1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon). 2. Tap Sound & Vibration (or Sound on some phones). 3. Tap Do Not Disturb. 4. Tap Schedules. 5. Tap Add or the plus (+) button. 6. Give the schedule a name (for example, "Bedtime") and set the days and times.

Letting important people through on Android

In the Do Not Disturb settings, look for Exceptions or People: - Tap Calls and choose Starred contacts or All contacts. - Turn on Allow repeat callers so a second call within 15 minutes rings through.

Samsung Galaxy phones have an additional layer called "Focus mode" in their Digital Wellbeing settings, but the Do Not Disturb settings above are what control incoming calls and texts.

How to know if Do Not Disturb is on

On an iPhone, a crescent moon icon appears at the top of the screen. On Android, a minus sign or Do Not Disturb icon appears in the status bar at the top. If your phone is not ringing and you cannot figure out why, check the top of the screen for these icons.