(Pocket-lint) - Google's Pixel phones recently received some cool new tricks, including a
Bedtime mode and Sunrise alarms
. Now, both of those features are no longer exclusive to Pixel phones; they're available for all Android phones through an update to Google's Clock app. Here's what you need to know.
What's new with Google's Clock app?
Bedtime mode
In June 2020, Google introduced a Bedtime mode in the Google Clock app. It's a new tab you can go to in order to designate a time for your phone to dim and mute your notifications. Bedtime mode was initially a Pixel-exclusive feature. In August, Google rolled out the feature to all
Android devices running 6.0 or later.
Sunrise alarms
In June 2020, Google introduced Sunrise alarms in the Google Clock app. Designed to wake you up more gently, Sunrise alarms gradually brighten your screen and give a visual cue that your wake up time is approaching about 15 minutes prior.You can even customise the experience by adding your favourite sounds. Sunrise alarms were initially a Pixel-exclusive feature. In August, Google rolled it out to all Android devices running 6.0 or later.
How does Bedtime mode work?
Once you've activated
Android’s Digital Wellbeing settings
, open the latest version of the Google Clock app. It may take time for the feature to arrive for your Android phone. Look for the Bedtime mode tab. There, you can set when you’d like to go to start getting ready for bed as well as when you want to wake up.
Set up Bedtime mode
Follow these steps:
On your Android phone, open the latest version of the
Google Clock app
.
Tap Bedtime mode in the app's navigati
on bar.To set a start time, tap the digital clock with a moon.
Move the clock hands to your desired end time and tap OK.
To set an end time, tap the digital clock with a sun.
Move the clock hands to your desired end time and tap OK.
At the bottom of the app, tap Turn on Bedtime mode.
The Digital Wellbeing app (on supported phones) can also trigger Bedtime mode when you start charging your phone for the night.
How do Sunrise alarms work?
Google hasn't yet provided set-up steps. When we get the new Clock app, we'll update this guide.
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Once you’ve set up Bedtime mode in the new Google Clock app, you should be able to set Sunrise alarms and adjust their settings, like toggling greyscale on some phones or setting up custom sleep sounds. You can even set up a Google Assistant routine to activate in the morning.
Set up custom sleep sounds
Follow these steps:
On your Android phone, open the latest version of
the Google Clock app
.
Tap Bedtime mode in the app's navigation bar.
Scroll down to the sleep sounds section and tap choose another sound.
You will then see options to set a custom sound for your alarm.
Want to set up a Spotify song as your alarm in the latest version of the Google Clock up?
Check out our guide on how to do that here
.
Writing by Maggie Tillman. Originally published on
11 August 2020
.
