In many everyday situations it is necessary Mute notifications and calls on your Samsung phoneConstant alerts can disrupt your rest, concentration, or important meetings. If you regularly use messaging apps, social media, or work on your smartphone, you know how annoying these unexpected sounds can be.
For this reason, Samsung phones, along with the rest of the manufacturers, have implemented different options to avoid distractions, highlighting two main modes: airplane mode and the do not disturb modeThe latter has become especially popular because it silences alerts and notifications without disconnecting from the mobile network, allowing you to stay connected but in silence.
Below we explain How to activate and configure do not disturb mode on your Samsung phone, how to customize it to suit your needs, and what alternatives you can use if your device doesn't include this feature.
Why is Do Not Disturb mode a must-have feature?
El do not disturb mode has gone from being an unknown feature to becoming an essential tool in our digital lives. Virtually all modern Android smartphones, and of course the Samsung Galaxy, have this feature, designed to help you stay focused on work, rest better, or avoid interruptions in meetings and leisure time.
A great advantage of this mode over the classic airplane mode is that does not disconnect the mobile network or data, so you can still receive messages or emails; your phone just won't make any sounds or vibrations unless you allow it.
Another highly requested feature is the possibility of schedule do not disturb mode to automatically turn it on and off at specific times. This is especially useful if you have fixed routines, such as work, class, or sleep, as it allows you to forget about having to manually turn it on every day.
For example, if you work from 7:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m., you can schedule your Samsung to silence notifications during that time, receiving only important alerts or those from your favorite contacts thanks to configurable exceptions.
Also, if your device lacks advanced features, there are some in the Play Store specialized applications that allow you to further customize how and when you want your phone to remain silent, thus expanding the control possibilities.
How to activate Do Not Disturb mode on Samsung from Quick Settings
The quickest way to enable do not disturb mode on most Samsung devices is to use the quick settings:
- Unlock your Samsung phone.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notifications panel and quick settings.
- Look for the Do Not Disturb icon (It may be represented by a circle or a moon.) If it doesn't appear, tap the pencil icon or go to settings to customize shortcuts and add it.
- Click on the "Do not disturb" icon to activate it instantly. When activated, your phone will automatically silence all calls, notifications, and alerts, unless you've set specific exceptions.
On newer Galaxy devices, this shortcut is usually visible by default. However, on older models, you may need to customize the icons displayed to add this feature. Customizing this menu is easy and will allow you to always have the functions you use most at your fingertips.
If you're using a Samsung phone that doesn't display Do Not Disturb mode in Quick Settings, you can manually add it as follows:
- Open the quick settings panel by swiping down.
- Click the pencil icon or “Edit.”
- Drag the “Do Not Disturb” icon to the main section so it is visible.
- Save your changes and you can now turn it on or off with a single tap.
Remember, if your device is too old to include this feature, keep reading because later we'll explain what alternatives you have to achieve a similar experience.
How to activate Do Not Disturb mode on Samsung from system settings
If you prefer to access detailed Do Not Disturb mode settings directly, you can do so from your system settings. This method is especially useful if you want to customize the mode's behavior or schedule automatic activation and deactivation times.
- Unlock your Samsung phone and access the Settings app..
- Select the section «Sounds and vibration».
- Within this menu, locate and select "Do not bother".
- Turn on the "Do Not Disturb" switch by sliding the button to the right. When activated, the switch will turn blue.
- For a tailored experience, tap on the "Do Not Disturb" name to access the advanced parameters:
- Programme: You can set specific times for Do Not Disturb mode to automatically activate (for example, during your sleeping hours or work hours).
- Exceptions: You can allow certain calls or important notifications to pass through even when the mode is active. For example, add favorite contacts, allow only alarms, or allow certain types of notifications from specific apps.
- Sound customization: Decide whether you want to mute sounds, vibrations, alarms, or visual notifications.
This flexibility allows, for example, only your most important contacts to call you in an emergency, or for your alarms to sound even if everything else is silent. All of these settings are easily reversible, and you can change your preferences whenever you want from this same menu.
Customizing exceptions in Do Not Disturb mode: calls, alarms, and apps
One of the great advantages of the do not disturb mode on Samsung devices is the exception configurationThis means you can manually choose which alerts you want to continue receiving even when all other notifications and calls are muted.
To manage exceptions, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings and navigate to «Sounds and vibration» > «Do not disturb».
- Press on "Allow exceptions".
- Set the following options:
- Calls: Choose whether to allow calls from everyone, only your contacts, only your favorites, or no one.
- Messages: Decide whether you want to receive messages from everyone, only from contacts, favorites, or none.
- Alarms and reminders: Allows alarms and reminders to sound even when do not disturb mode is on.
- Applications: Select specific apps that can display notifications.
For example, you can allow only calls from your partner or children by marking them as favorites, or let work alarms ring even if everything else remains silent. This customization is ideal for not missing any really important alerts while still maintaining your privacy and concentration.
How to update your software to ensure the best experience
Before setting up Do Not Disturb mode, it's a good idea to keep your Samsung device up to date. This ensures compatibility and access to the latest and most secure features.
- Opens Settings on your Samsung Galaxy.
- Scroll down to the section "Software update".
- Press on «Download and install» to check for available updates.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the update.
Keeping your operating system up to date not only improves overall stability, but can also add new features and improve the performance of Do Not Disturb mode.
Automatically scheduling Do Not Disturb mode
One of the functions most valued by users is the possibility of automatically programming do not disturb mode at set times. This is especially useful for silencing notifications at night, during work hours, or while studying.
Automatic scheduling is configured from the "Do Not Disturb" menu in the sound settings. You can define one or more intervals (for example, Monday through Friday during business hours and weekend evenings) and choose which days the schedule will apply.
Also, you can create custom rules based on your routines and rest assured that your phone will only be silenced when you really need it, avoiding forgetfulness or unwanted interruptions.
Alternative apps to enable Do Not Disturb mode on Samsung
If for some reason your Samsung phone does not include do not disturb mode, or you are looking for more advanced customization options, you can use Play Store apps that simulate or extend these functionalities.
There are a wide variety of apps you can find by searching "Do Not Disturb" in the Google Play store. Among the most notable are those that allow you to:
- Mute notifications, calls, and alarms automatically based on time rules or location.
- Create advanced exceptions for contacts or specific apps.
- Activate/deactivate do not disturb mode with a single button or on-screen widget.
An example is the application Do Not Disturb (Do Not Disturb – Android), which makes configuration much easier and allows you to customize aspects that are not natively available on some Samsung models.
The operation is simple: download the app, grant it the necessary permissions, and configure your rules and exceptions. They usually include widgets or shortcuts to activate the mode instantly, which is ideal if you're looking for speed and efficiency.
Extra options and tips to silence your Samsung
In addition to do not disturb mode and apps, there are other recommendations you can consider to reinforce silence and avoid interruptions:
- Mute notifications from specific apps from the notification settings, allowing you to individually control the behavior of each app.
- Use modes of concentration or productivity available on Samsung to block groups of apps for certain periods.
- Use widgets and shortcuts on the home screen to turn do not disturb mode on or off without entering menus.
- Voice control: Samsung devices that support Bixby allow you to activate Do Not Disturb mode using voice commands.
You can also take advantage of other features like Scheduled Silence on messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp) or temporarily blocking notifications on social media platforms, which adds an extra layer of control over your digital wellbeing.
What to do if Do Not Disturb mode doesn't appear on your Samsung
If your Samsung phone doesn't have the Do Not Disturb option pre-installed, or you can't find it in the menus, try the following:
- Update the system software by Settings> Software update.
- Check if you have any pending One UI updates in the Galaxy Store.
- Look for the feature under “Sounds and Vibration” in the general settings.
- If it still doesn't appear, install a dedicated app from the Play Store, as explained above.
If you're using older versions of Android or a custom carrier layer, you may have similar features under different names (e.g., "rest mode" or "quiet hours").
Samsung puts at your disposal multiple ways to silence your phone and avoid unwanted interruptions, whether you're working, studying, resting, or just taking a digital break. The combination of Do Not Disturb mode, exception control, automatic scheduling, and Play Store apps means you can adapt this silence to your personal needs without missing out on what's truly important. By correctly configuring these features, you'll have complete control over when and how you want your Samsung to remain silent.