android already comes with a built-in do not disturb mode, but it has many shortcomings. you can’t set exceptions for third-party apps or individual contacts. So, for example, if you want your friend or spouse to be able to text you while others can’t. unfortunately, it is not possible natively in android.
best dnd apps – android
google provided some dnd features in latest android 11 but still falls short on features like auto scheduling, batch notifications etc. so if you have android 10 or looking for a good dnd app , here are some of the best dnd apps for android.
1. google mail box
post box is a simple but effective dnd application from google experiments. First of all, you need to choose the number of times you want to receive notifications in a day. It can be one, two, three or four times a day. once you’re done with that, you’ll receive notifications in batches at that time of day.
for example, if I choose twice a day. I will receive all notifications from the app at 09:00 and 12:30. times are of course customizable within the app. the only problem with mailbox is that you can’t set exceptions for individual contacts or apps.
features:
- withholds notifications for all apps
- deliver notifications in batches
- messages and calls are exempt
download post box for android
2. said smart alerts
said smart alerts is a dnd-cum-notification notification management app. it works in a different way. First of all, it classifies your notifications into 2 parts: important alerts & default alerts. important alerts have a different vibration/ringer, while default alerts have a different one. therefore, based on the buzz of your phone, you will be able to recognize the priority of the message.
In addition, these smart alerts learn about your behavior over time and will modify the priority of notifications and applications. Unlike Google Mailbox, you can filter notifications based on text and even add exceptions. my favorite was the option to mute messages “lol”, “k”, etc. basically notifications that don’t require your attention.
The only caveat with such smart alerts is that there are rarely any ads. sometimes you have to watch ads to keep using the app.
features:
- categorize notifications into important and default and learn habits over time
- change vibration/sound for important and default notifications
- option to mute messages informative according to the text and the emotion of the message
download these smart alerts for android
3. daytime
daywise is one of the best dnd apps on the list with one caveat. We will get it. but first, it works on a basic principle. You will receive your notifications in a batch at 4 fixed intervals in the day. intelligently classifies your apps into instant and batch apps. instant apps can send you notifications at any time of the day, while batch app notifications will be delivered in batches at 4 intervals.
daywise also allows you to set exceptions within applications. You can exempt a contact or even a whatsapp group to send you an instant notification. the only caveat with daywise is that it has been paid for and is expensive. you would have to pay about $20 for a lifetime license. you get a 14-day trial without a credit card to try out the app’s features.
features:
- sends notifications in 4 batches
- automatically classifies apps into important and insignificant
- option to provide exceptions to phone contacts as well as whatsapp groups
download daywise for android (14 day trial | $20)
4. spren notification manager
spren works similar to daywise but is free. smartly classifies the app into tabs to show and hide. show apps are the ones that can show notifications, while the latest ones can’t. you can enable toggle to hide promotional messages as well as group chat messages.
The only thing missing from spren is the ability to add exceptions for individual contacts within the hide tab.
features:
- intelligently classifies apps to show and hide notifications
- filter to avoid promotional and group messages
- analytics to show app-based notifications
download spren notification manager for android
5. filter box
Unlike all the apps mentioned above, filterbox is not your normal dnd app. it is more of a notification manager than a dnd app. However, you can filter notifications based on text, contact name, time of day, app, etc. For example, if you don’t want to receive twitter notifications in the morning. you can set filterbox to ignore twitter notifications in the morning while allowing all other apps.
However, there are a couple of caveats with filterbox. Above all, it would take you a couple of weeks to set up the app. you would have to create rules for each application and type of notification. so if this is your first dnd app i advise you to skip this one. Next, similar to daywise, filterbox is a paid app. provides a 30-day trial period initially, and then you need to pay $3.99 as a one-time fee.
features:
- option to filter notifications based on app, text, contact name, etc.
- automatic actions dismiss, mute or snooze notifications
- analysis to show notifications in a day and use
download filterbox for android (30 day trial | $3.99)
6. nap
nap, as the name suggests, is designed for taking quiet naps. it works differently than other apps on the list. First of all, the app requires you to manually start a nap session within the app. post that, it will automatically dismiss all notifications.
When you wake up, you can stop the nap session and read the notifications within the app. nap gives you the option to manually filter the apps you want to show or dismiss notifications during a nap. for example, you can filter text messages or calls during a nap.
features:
- built for a peaceful nap
- automatically dismisses notifications from selected apps during a nap
- option to schedule nap time
download nap for android
7. digital break
digital break is an all-in-one detox app for your smartphone. Gives you the option to lock apps, app notifications, protect your personal data, block excessive screen usage, etc. For the context of this article, let’s focus only on the dnd part. Similar to daywise, digital break will deliver notifications in batches.
However, unlike during the day, you would have to do the heavy lifting. By default, digital pause will block notifications from all apps. you would have to manually add app exceptions or contact exceptions. digital rest can be considered as a free alternative to daywise.
features:
- deliver notifications in batches
- option to add individual contacts or message exceptions
- built-in app usage timer, screen time control, etc.
- all-in-one smartphone detox app
digital break download for android
8. actual flow
Finally, actuflow is just one additional application on this list. it’s not exactly a dnd app, but i prefer it to dnd apps. it simply asks you the reason every time you unlock your phone. Initially, it seems like a small thing, but with long-term use, it prevents you from unlocking your phone unnecessarily. helps reduce unnecessary use of your phone.
actuflow also gives you an additional option called purpose reminder. so, for example, you unlocked your phone to “access text messages”. now, in case you continue to use the phone for a while, it will launch a purpose reminder about text messages.
features:
- asks you the purpose of unlocking your phone
- purpose reminder if you use your phone for a long time
download actuflow for android
what dnd app do you use on your android?
if you are new to the world of dnd applications, postbox or nap are good applications to start with. for advanced users, digital break or filterbox is an ideal option. if dnd apps didn’t work for you, you can try actuflow.
Also read: stop phubbing: these are the best minimal launchers for android