Do Not Disturb silences calls, messages and alerts for a set time. You can schedule it for night hours and still let important people through.

Android

1. Open Settings, then Notifications or Sound & vibration.
2. Look for Do Not Disturb or Priority mode, then tap Schedule or Automatic rules.
3. Set the times, such as 10 pm to 7 am. Under Exceptions, allow calls from starred contacts.

Check whether alarms still sound. On many phones alarms are allowed through by default, but look under the exceptions if yours does not ring.

iPhone

1. Open Settings, then Focus, then Sleep. (Older versions: Do Not Disturb.)
2. Set a time under Schedule.
3. Under People, allow calls from the people you choose.

Check it works

Ask one trusted person to call you during the quiet hours. If the call gets through, the exception is right. If not, add them to the allowed list.

Common mistakes

• Turning on Do Not Disturb all day and missing a bank or work call. Schedule it for the hours you sleep instead.
• Allowing “everyone” as an exception, which removes the point of the mode.
• Forgetting that the mode is on in the morning. Check the status bar when you wake up.